Editing Musical ensemble (section)

{{Short description|Instrumental and/or vocal music group}}
{{Redirect|Music group}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=January 2010}}
{{original research|date=February 2010}}
}}
[[File:Jazzing orchestra 1921.png|thumb|The King & Carter Jazzing Orchestra photographed in Houston, Texas, January 1921]]
[[File:Orquesta Filarmonica de Jalisco.jpg|thumb|The [[Jalisco Philarmonic Orchestra|Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestral]] is an example of a large [[classical music|classical]] musical ensemble.]]
[[File:Porin Työväenyhdistyksen soittokunta.jpg|thumb|Pori Worker's Society Brass Band in the 1920s in [[Pori]], Finland]]

A '''musical ensemble''', also known as a '''music group''', '''musical group''', or a '''band''' is a group of people who perform [[Instrumental music|instrumental]] and/or [[vocal music]], with the ensemble typically known by a distinct name. Some music ensembles consist solely of instrumentalists, such as the [[jazz quartet]] or the [[orchestra]]. Other music ensembles consist solely of singers, such as [[choir]]s and [[doo wop|doo-wop]] groups. In both [[popular music]] and [[classical music]], there are ensembles in which both instrumentalists and singers perform, such as the [[Band (rock and pop)|rock band]] or the Baroque chamber group for [[basso continuo]] ([[harpsichord]] and [[cello]]) and one or more singers. In [[classical music]], trios or quartets either blend the sounds of [[musical instrument]] families (such as [[piano]], [[strings (music)|strings]], and [[wind instrument]]s) or group instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles (e.g., [[string quartet]]) or wind ensembles (e.g., [[wind quintet]]). Some ensembles blend the sounds of a variety of instrument families, such as the [[orchestra]], which uses a [[string section]], [[brass instrument]]s, [[woodwind]]s, and [[percussion instrument]]s, or the [[concert band]], which uses brass, woodwinds, and percussion. 
In jazz ensembles or combos, the instruments typically include wind instruments (one or more [[saxophone]]s, [[trumpet]]s, etc.), one or two chordal "comping" instruments ([[electric guitar]], [[acoustic guitar]], piano, or [[Hammond organ]]), a [[bass instrument]] ([[bass guitar]] or [[double bass]]), and a drummer or percussionist. Jazz ensembles may be solely instrumental, or they may consist of a group of instruments accompanying one or more singers. In rock and pop ensembles, usually called [[Band (rock and pop)|rock bands]] or pop bands, there are usually guitars and keyboards (piano, electric piano, [[Hammond organ]], [[synthesizer]], etc.), one or more singers, and a [[rhythm section]] made up of a [[bass guitar]] and [[drum kit]].

Music ensembles typically have a leader. In jazz bands, rock and pop groups, and similar ensembles, this is the [[band leader]]. In classical music, orchestras, concert bands, and choirs are led by a [[conducting|conductor]]. In orchestra, the [[concertmaster]] (principal first violin player) is the instrumentalist leader of the orchestra. In orchestras, the individual sections also have leaders, typically called the "principal" of the section (e.g., the leader of the viola section is called the "principal viola"). Conductors are also used in [[jazz]] [[big band]]s and in some very large rock or pop ensembles (e.g., a rock concert that includes a [[string section]], a [[horn section]], and a [[choir]] that accompanies a rock band's performance).