string band: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialist, Musical
Quick answer
What does “string band” mean?
A musical ensemble whose instruments are primarily or exclusively stringed instruments, such as guitars, banjos, fiddles, mandolins, and upright bass, typically associated with folk, bluegrass, country, or traditional music.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A musical ensemble whose instruments are primarily or exclusively stringed instruments, such as guitars, banjos, fiddles, mandolins, and upright bass, typically associated with folk, bluegrass, country, or traditional music.
The term can also refer more broadly to any small group of musicians playing stringed instruments together, sometimes without percussion or wind instruments. Historically, it described early rural dance bands in American and British folk traditions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the term is strongly associated with specific folk traditions (e.g., Scottish or Irish folk). In the US, it is central to the historical development of Appalachian, bluegrass, and early country music.
Connotations
UK: Often evokes ceilidh bands, pastoral scenes, or historical re-enactment. US: Connotes Appalachian heritage, front porch music, and the roots of country/bluegrass.
Frequency
More commonly used in US musical discourse, particularly in historical and folk contexts. In the UK, it's a specialist term within folk music circles.
Grammar
How to Use “string band” in a Sentence
[The/Our/An] + [adjective] + string band + [verb] + [object]To play in/with a string bandThe sound of a string bandVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “string band” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The local string band provided the music for the village fête.
- He's been a fiddler in a Scottish string band for twenty years.
American English
- The festival featured an old-time string band from West Virginia.
- They formed a string band to play traditional Appalachian tunes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in event planning (e.g., 'hiring a string band for the barn dance').
Academic
Used in ethnomusicology, cultural studies, and music history to describe specific ensemble types.
Everyday
Used by enthusiasts of folk, bluegrass, or historical music. Not common in general conversation.
Technical
A precise classification for a type of musical ensemble in folk and traditional music studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “string band”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “string band”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “string band”
- Using it to refer to the string section of an orchestra.
- Capitalizing it as a proper noun unless it's part of a specific band's name (e.g., the Carolina Chocolate Drops are a string band).
- Confusing it with a 'band' that uses some strings but is primarily electric rock/pop.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. All bluegrass bands are string bands, but not all string bands are bluegrass. Bluegrass has a specific instrumentation (mandolin, fiddle, banjo, guitar, bass) and style. An 'old-time' string band might have a different repertoire and playing style.
Typically, no. The classic definition excludes percussion. The rhythm is provided by instruments like the guitar, bass, or the 'clawhammer' style of banjo playing. If a drummer is added, it often starts to be called a 'folk rock' or 'country band'.
A string quartet is a specific classical chamber music ensemble (two violins, viola, cello) with a formal repertoire. A string band is folk or traditional, uses different instruments (banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle), and often involves improvisation and a different playing technique.
Yes, primarily within the folk, bluegrass, and Americana music scenes. Many contemporary groups that play on acoustic instruments in these traditions proudly identify as string bands.
A musical ensemble whose instruments are primarily or exclusively stringed instruments, such as guitars, banjos, fiddles, mandolins, and upright bass, typically associated with folk, bluegrass, country, or traditional music.
String band is usually specialist, musical in register.
String band: in British English it is pronounced /strɪŋ bænd/, and in American English it is pronounced /strɪŋ bænd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. The term itself is often part of the descriptive phrase 'good enough to be in a string band' implying musical skill.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'strings' on the instruments (guitar, fiddle, banjo) being tied together in a 'band'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A STRING BAND IS A CONVERSATION (different instruments 'talking' to each other in a close, interdependent way).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely description of a string band?