An ensemble of musicians primarily playing woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments, as distinguished from an orchestra, which contains stringed instruments.

Another designation for the word band music has wider vernacular applications, from generalized usage (as in "dance band" and "jazz band") to the very specific (as in "harmonica band", "brass band", and "string band").

The term was first used in England to apply to the "king’s band" of 24 violins at the court of Charles II who reigned in 1660–1685, a group which was based on Louis XIV's (king of France from 1643 to 1715) famous group of violins.