The art of combining instruments and sounds

Finding the right combination of instruments and sounds is an art form, and takes the same creative energy as choosing the right chord, creating a beautiful melody or writing engaging lyrics. A lot of time should be spent in choosing the sounds and instruments you use in a recording. 

And careful attention should be paid to how those sounds relate to one another. After all, the instruments you use can define your sound. 

Today, we’re looking at the art of combining instruments and sounds and how this practice can result in beautiful music. But first, let’s look at some historical examples and context. 

The history and evolution of instrument combinations

People have been experimenting with combining instruments for centuries — or even millennia. Some combinations of instruments that we’re familiar with today evolved over hundreds of years. Others were the result of necessity, an accident, or a crazy idea in the spur of the moment. 

New musical instruments were invented by musicians and composers as they wrestled with finding the right combination of sounds.

A great example of this comes from the classic movie “The Glenn Miller Story” as a great example. Miller was a musician, composer, and bandleader who achieved most of his success in the late 1930s and early 1940s. 

The recurring theme in the movie was that Miller saw the entire band as an instrument, and was searching for the right combination to get a memorable and unique sound that would define his generation. He eventually found that sound by beefing up the sax section and replacing a trumpet with a clarinet — only because the trumpet player had an injury — and the rest is history. 

All of that is to say, that combining different instruments produces different results. Let’s turn our attention now to some well-known instrument combinations. 

Established combinations of instruments

While experimentation is essential, it’s equally important to understand the established combinations that have stood the test of time. Here are a few classic examples worth exploring:

Solo performers

This isn’t really a combination at all, but let’s start as simple as you can get: a single instrument on its own or accompanying a singer. Typically solo performers play piano or guitar as they sing, but other instruments have been used as well. 

Guitar and piano are particularly suited for solo accompaniment because they provide both harmony and rhythm. Elton John and Billy Joel have had very successful careers as solo musicians. They focus on interesting arrangements of a single instrument that complements their voice and the song. 

Many singer-songwriters started as solo performers. One-man bands extend the idea of the solo performer by adding additional instruments that they play themselves.

Folk

Folk musicians play mainly acoustic instruments, including guitar, banjo, harmonica, violin, string bass, flute, recorders, and drums — and possibly hand drums. A two-guitar lineup is popular, combining strumming or plucking with melody or bass line. Synthesized sounds are normally not used in favor of natural sounds that suit the genre much better. For a rockier sound, electric guitar may be used, and some of the instruments may be amplified.

Jazz

Guitar is used a lot in jazz, but piano seems more indispensable. Jazz lineups vary, and include a variety of instruments including bass guitar, — often upright — clarinet, sax, and brass instruments.

Country

In country and western music, acoustic instruments are blended with electric. Essential to the flavor is pedal steel guitar, which adds sustain, portamento, picking, and slurred chords. Dobros are often used to add a brighter, resonating sound to the mix.

Ambient music

Ambient music often features strings or pads along with piano or other instruments. The arrangements are usually very sparse and rely on sustained sounds with interesting harmonic content and very little rhythm.

Country rock

Country rock borrows the style of country music, but focuses more on electric instruments, like lead guitar. They may also use acoustic instruments such as guitar, banjo, and pedal steel guitar. Rock organ is often used, and sometimes piano, too

Rock

Electric guitar — often rhythm and lead —, bass guitar, and drums form the basis of the rock sound. The guitar sound often depends heavily on pedal effects like distortion and overdrive. These may be complemented by piano, organ, and other instruments.

Hip Hop

Hip-hop instrumentation is very sparse. It features drums — usually retro drum machine samples — and bass, and sparse keyboard or guitar phrases. The sparseness of the instrumentation keeps the focus on the lyrics and the rhythm.

Orchestras

In large productions, orchestras are used to add extra color to a sound, especially with stringed, woodwind, and brass instruments. These musical families were developed over centuries as musicians explored the high, middle, and low pitch ranges of a particular timbre. 

Orchestras have a rich sound that takes a large group of musicians and instruments to achieve. Orchestra sounds are often synthesized and sampled, but nothing comes close to the rich sound of a real orchestra. Composing for an orchestra is a complete study in itself.

Finding your own sound

Once you’ve explored the ways others have combined instruments, it’s time to dive into your own experimentation. Finding your unique sound is a process of trial and error, creativity, and a bit of courage. Here are some detailed tips and examples to help you along the way:

1. Consider the musicians and instruments you have available

Start with what you have. The combination might be original from the outset, simply because of the specific instruments or musicians at your disposal. Embrace these limitations as opportunities for creativity.

For instance, if your band consists of a violinist, a drummer, and a guitarist, think about how you can blend these sounds uniquely. Perhaps the violin takes on a more prominent melodic role while the guitar focuses on rhythm and harmony, creating a sound that’s both classical and contemporary.

2. Start with genre-specific instruments

Begin with instruments that are typical for the genre you’re working in, and then gradually introduce something different. This approach grounds your music in familiar territory while allowing for innovation.

So if you’re working on a jazz track, start with piano, bass, and drums. Then, experiment by adding an unexpected instrument like a sitar or marimba, which can introduce new textures and take the genre in a fresh direction.

3. Mix common sounds with unique additions

Use a common set of sounds as your foundation, and then add something different or unique to the mix. This could be an instrument, a specific effect, or even an unconventional playing technique.

Imagine a traditional rock setup with electric guitar, bass, and drums. Now, layer in a harp or a theremin to add a completely different sonic element. The contrast between the familiar and the unusual can make your music stand out.

4. Substitute instruments for unexpected results

Replace one of the expected instruments with something unusual or unexpected. This can drastically alter the character of your music and lead to exciting new combinations.

In an American folk song, try replacing the acoustic guitar with a kalimba. The plucked, metallic sound of the kalimba can give your track an ethereal, otherworldly quality that sets it apart from the folk music you typically play.

5. Combine elements from different genres

Take a subset of instruments from two different genres and blend them together. This can lead to innovative sounds that defy easy categorization.

Consider mixing the orchestral strings of classical music with the driving rhythms of an electronic dance music (EDM) beat. The result could be a cinematic, high-energy piece that resonates with fans of both genres.

6. Explore unique rhythmic structures

Find a unique sound combination for the rhythmic infrastructure of your piece and build on top of it. Sometimes, a distinctive rhythm can serve as the foundation for your entire sound.

Instead of relying on traditional drums, try using hand percussion or even body percussion (like clapping or stomping) as the rhythmic backbone. Layer in melodic instruments that complement the organic feel of the rhythm.

7. Reassign instrumental roles

Experiment with assigning different roles to instruments. For instance, play a melody with a bass instrument or use a traditionally melodic instrument to carry the rhythm.

Imagine using a bass guitar to play a higher-pitched melody line, while the lead guitar handles rhythmic chord progressions. This role reversal can add intrigue and complexity to your composition.

8. Blend acoustic and electric sounds

Look for unusual combinations of electric and acoustic sounds. The contrast between the natural warmth of acoustic instruments and the sharpness of electric ones can create a compelling dynamic.

Combine an acoustic piano with an electric guitar using heavy distortion. The interplay between the two can produce a sound that’s both grounded and edgy, ideal for genres like indie rock or experimental music.

9. Use digital effects creatively

Experiment with different digital effects on your instruments, particularly with electric guitars or synths. Effects like reverb, delay, or modulation can transform ordinary sounds into something extraordinary.

For instance, you could take a simple acoustic guitar riff and run it through a delay pedal to create a cascading, echoing effect. Add reverb for a spacious feel, and suddenly, a straightforward melody takes on a haunting, atmospheric quality.

10. Incorporate world instruments

Introduce instruments like the didgeridoo, sitar, or steel drums. These instruments bring unique timbres and cultural significance, adding depth and diversity to your music.

Picture a jazz ensemble incorporating the deep, resonant sound of a didgeridoo. The unusual combination might create a fusion genre that feels both grounded in tradition and innovative in its approach.

11. Experiment with unusual playing techniques

Try playing instruments in ways they aren’t typically used. Whether it’s playing a violin like a guitar or using a bow on a vibraphone, these techniques can yield unexpected and fascinating results.

Use a bow on a cymbal or guitar strings to produce eerie, sustained tones. This technique, popular in experimental music, can add a mysterious or otherworldly quality to your song.

12. Create and manipulate MIDI sequences

If you’re working digitally, create a MIDI sequence of your song’s main parts, then experiment by swapping different instruments in and out. Play with the relative volumes, panning, and effects until the elements blend seamlessly.

You could start with a basic MIDI piano sequence and gradually replace the piano with a variety of synths, strings, or even brass. Each instrument change can bring a new flavor to the track, helping you discover the perfect combination.

Start experimenting with sound combinations 

These are just a few ideas to help you get started, but we’re certain you think of more. And in doing so, you’ll find the perfect blend of instruments and sounds that define your unique musical voice. The journey is all about exploration, so don’t be afraid to push boundaries and challenge conventions. Your sound is out there. Now it’s up to you to go find it.