Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Wiktionary
n. The section of a band maintaining the rhythm, consisting of eg drums, bass, keyboard etc.
WordNet
n. the section of a band or orchestra that plays percussion instruments [syn: percussion section, percussion]
Wikipedia
A rhythm section (also called a backup band) is a group of musicians within an ensemble who provide the underlying rhythm and pulse of the accompaniment, providing a rhythmic reference for the rest of the band. Many of the rhythm section instruments, such as keyboards and guitars, also play the chord progression upon which the song is based. The bass instrument plays the bassline that supports the chord progression, typically by emphasizing the roots of the chords.
The term is common in modern small musical ensembles, such as bands that play jazz, country, blues, and rock. In modern rock music, a rhythm guitarist specializes in rhythmic and chordal playing (as opposed to the melodic guitar solos and lead melody lines played by the lead guitar), often repeating quaver (eighth-note), half note or whole note chords. In the louder genres, such as hard rock, heavy metal and punk rock, rhythm guitarists often play power chords with distortion. Rhythm guitarists often strum open chords in pop, rock, country and folk music and play barre chords in many pop and rock styles.
A typical rhythm section comprises one or more guitars (often electric guitars, but acoustic guitars are used in some styles) and/or a keyboard instrument ( piano, electric piano, Hammond organ, synthesizer, etc.) and a double bass or electric bass (depending on the style of music), and drums (usually acoustic, but in some post-1980s styles, the drums may be electronic drums). In some styles of music, there may be additional percussionists playing instruments such as the djembe or shakers. The guitars may be acoustic guitars, electric guitars, or a combination of both, depending on the style of music. Some styles of music use multiple keyboard instruments (e.g., piano and Hammond organ) for a fuller sound. A rhythm section could be as small as two or three instruments (e.g., a guitarist and a bassist or a power trio of bass, drums and guitar) or it may be a fairly large ensemble with several keyboardists, several guitarists, auxiliary string players ( mandolin, ukulele, etc.), a drummer and percussionists. The largest rhythm sections may be led by a bandleader.
Usage examples of "rhythm section".
This time it was doctor first, patient second, Nobel Prize winners third, rhythm section fourth, old man with beard fifth, Georgette in her accustomized place bringing up the rear.
It's like the improvisation you see with a good jazz group, Ahmad Jamal doing a piano solo, going off on his own, catching up with his rhythm section later.
The multimetronome clatter from Cucarachita's rhythm section turned angry like a swarm of locusts turning for the approach on some rich field.
Exotic birds cawed and hooted up in the panoply of leaves far above our heads, playing lead to the insects' tidal rhythm section.
And playing in the background like a rhythm section was the fear coming out of the guy.
He leaned over to turn the volume up on the radio, humming along withthe rhythm section and kind of moaning the words: “.
He leaned over to turn the volume up on the radio, humming along withthe rhythm section and kind of moaning the words: One toke over the line, Sweet Jesus.
Don't you know why you don't need electronics and a thousand watts and a rhythm section to get gigs?
Its raining, and the wipers provide the rhythm section for the water streaming off the car and the wind.