string band

string band

A string band plays lively music at a community festival.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A musical ensemble: A "string band" is a group of musicians who perform primarily using stringed instruments, such as guitars, banjos, fiddles, and mandolins, often associated with folk, bluegrass, or country music.
    • Historical context: In early American music, a "string band" typically referred to a small, acoustic ensemble that played dance tunes and ballads without the use of brass, woodwind, or percussion instruments.
Usage Examples
  • (A group of musicians using stringed instruments performed.)
  • (An ensemble specializing in acoustic string music.)
  • (He became a member of a musical group focused on string instruments.)
Advanced Usage

  • "old-time string band": A specific style of string band music popular in the early 20th century, often featuring a fiddle, banjo, and guitar.

    • The festival featured an old-time string band that played square dance tunes. (A traditional ensemble performing historical music.)

  • "string band revival": A modern resurgence of interest in string band music and its performance.

    • The string band revival has brought new audiences to acoustic folk music. (A renewed popularity of this type of ensemble.)
Variants and Related Words
  • String (n): a thin piece of wire or gut used in musical instruments.
    • The violin has four strings. (The instrument uses strings to produce sound.)
  • Band (n): a group of musicians who perform together.
    • The band played for three hours. (The musical group performed.)
  • Stringed instrument (n): any musical instrument that produces sound by vibrating strings.
    • Guitars and violins are stringed instruments. (They belong to the same family of instruments.)
Synonyms
  • Folk band: a group that plays traditional or folk music (often overlaps with string bands).
  • Bluegrass band: a specific type of string band that emphasizes fast tempos and improvisation.
  • Acoustic ensemble: a group of musicians using unamplified instruments.
Phrasal Verbs
  • (This term is a compound noun and does not form phrasal verbs.)
Related Idioms
  • (Idioms involving "string" or "band" separately, like "pull strings" or "band together," are unrelated to the musical term.)