In most Mambo charts, the piano is a primary rhythmic instrument that also provides chordal structure and some of the melody/solo lines. The piano is often heard establishing the syncopated “clave” rhythm that is a trademark of many mambos. Though piano is quite common, there are some charts that do not include it, especially in older mambos (such as 1950s era).
The bass (usually upright) is a common rhythm section instrument in mambo music, establishing the bass harmony. Mambo bass parts tend to be prominent when the instrument is used and tend to follow similar syncopation patterns as the piano and percussion.
Wind instruments most often used in mambo ensembles resemble those also used in jazz or salsa bands, with a combination of trumpets, saxophones and trombones. Wind parts are aggressive, punchy and often feature trumpets in the very high range.
Strings may also be used in a mambo and are often used in songs where wind instruments are not. Strings often include guitar and a small complement of orchestral strings. Solo violin is not uncommon.
Mambo percussion instrumentation is probably the most consistent instrumental aspect across the genre. Percussion sections in a mambo group almost always include conga drums and also commonly include timbales and hand percussion pieces like guiros (hollow wooden instruments that produce sounds when scraped) and bongos. The percussion instruments, especially the drums, create the distinctive mambo ostinato (ever present) patterns.
Most mambos are vocal songs with a singer who may be male or female, singing text in Spanish. Many different vocal types have been featured in mambo music, ranging from pop singers to operatically-trained voices.