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"What number makes a band?"

How many members should a band have? Obviously it depends on the type of band and what instruments are used, but do some groups over-do it in the personnel department? The Beatles, without a doubt one of the best pop song-writing partnerships of recent years had 4 members, but they could all play various instruments, so in terms of studio recording they could probably have done it individually. Oasis have 5 members - an extra guitarist to play chords/fight in the pub circuit they play. Ash had 3 members, then added another guitarist to fill out the sound, but the quality of their songwriting went downhill after that. So Solid Crew have about 30, but 27 of them appear to be bodyguards (hence the guns), whilst one or two play decks and another one talks fast in a mock Croydo-Jamaican accent.

Tenacious D and White Stripes have two mwmbers.
Green Day have three, as did Nirvana (After Jason Everman and Chad Channing left, Dave Grohl replacing Chad on drums).

The Polyphonic Spree need more people, I think. Possibly a few more backing singers.

4, possibly 3.
We have 4, but also have a saxamaphone player and string quartet that sort of orbit us, but only Fat Joe (sax) plays onstage with us for a song.

Drums, Bass, Vocals/rythmn guitar, Vocals/lead guitar/piano.
Sorted

I reckon 3 is enough.
4 gives a bit more depth, but plenty of 3-piece bands kick the crap out of bands with more in terms of quality.

3 is fine.
Don't think you really need more than 4 maximum.

How many members should a band have? Obviously it depends on the type of band and what instruments are used, but do some groups over-do it in the personnel department? The Beatles, without a doubt one of the best pop song-writing partnerships of recent years had 4 members, but they could all play various instruments, so in terms of studio recording they could probably have done it individually. Oasis have 5 members - an extra guitarist to play chords/fight in the pub circuit they play. Ash had 3 members, then added another guitarist to fill out the sound, but the quality of their songwriting went downhill after that. So Solid Crew have about 30, but 27 of them appear to be bodyguards (hence the guns), whilst one or two play decks and another one talks fast in a mock Croydo-Jamaican accent.