I was just commenting on Thorsten Hinrichsen's "Oh my dear my Reindeer" instrumental album, the question came into my mind do people prefer vocal or instrumental songs, in my view doing instrumentals is very difficult, it is harder than doing songs with lyrics as there has to be plenty of strong phrases and riffs in there to keep the listener's attention!
I sometimes add the odd instrumental in an album, not to make the numbers up but just because some pieces don't need lyrics, there is plenty to say without words but it has to be busy enough to hold the listener's attention otherwise it could just become background music.
Many artists such as Justin Johnson have mastered the instrumental and they prefer to play these all the time - I have yet to hear him sing...one day maybe ! ;-)
Justin packs a lot of technique and interesting twists and turns into his pieces and has mastered the skill of holding the listener's attention, usually if you're singing lyrics people will listen, especially if you include a catchy chorus, some lyrics from classic well known songs are so strong they would stand up without any music at all, they would stand alone as poems, is a song just a poem with music?
Up until the 50's, 60's and into the 70's it seemed to be all about the lyrics, there was always a story in the song, many modern pop songs rely on very few lyrics, just a repeated phrase matched to a riff, good for dancers and Gym users but has the popular music song been dumbed down?
Interested to hear your thoughts! :-)
Replies
Funny, Steve. After responding earlier that I prefer vocals and story songs ----- I've go the your new album and had a long drive. Listened to it twice. Good album, Steve. Makes me think of the 60s when I listened to a lot of Brit bands. Happy stuff too. My fave song is Reso-Lowe Blues. An Instrumental!
I like instrumentals with words :)
:-)
I don't understand the question?
Depends on mood.
These people need no lyrics.
These people do.
Very few people can do a all instrumental rock guitar records and get people interested. a few.
If you can stir some ones emotions with just music you have done something. Words make it easy. Easier
Instrumentals. I couldn't sing right even if my life depended on it, that's why.
I think the human voice can be the most expressive instrument there is. Also the more instruments you add to a composition the better the song sounds. If they are played well.
Unfortunately, despite my desire to sing, I kind of Can't carry a tune. So, I've adapted my playing to be mostly instrumental.
depends who is singing! I do like all kind of music ,I'm not partial.
having said that I do like some good instrumental tunes the shads being one of my fav's
oh yes! :-)
There was plenty of instrumental music in the 50's and 60's - i.e. Freddie King, Lonnie Mack, the Ventures, surf music in general.
Popular music has definitely been dumbed down. My theory on this is that it's a rebellion against intricately done guitar solos, chord progressions, and singing with elaborate riffs. The guitar and singing has already been taken as far as possible, so to express themselves, people have to emphasize some other aspect, such as chanted lyrics instead of sung, beats, dancing. Plus technology has also caused a change, just like the electric guitar revolutionized music.
I've noticed that people are either "music people" or "lyric people". Some people know all the words to a song and can sing them, but they barely notice the music. Some people know all the music, riffs, solos, etc. in a song, but might be lucky if they can remember the chorus.
I'm more like the second. I can identify a song within the first couple of notes, but I've noticed that it can take an audience well into the song before they recognize it - you can tell by when they start applauding or cheering.
Call me old fashioned...but to me, most of today's pop music sucks the proverbial ring piece, and is better suited for elevator shafts and parking structures...not over the radio waves. Doesn't really matter to me whether a song is lyrical, instrumental, or both. I avoid rap & hip hop like a festering boil...country-western-honky tonk music makes me break out in a rash, and imho, any one using auto tune should be forced to listen to bag pipe music for 72 hours non-stop, dialed to 12, then given a face-to-face serenade from Kenny G, accompanied by a duet from Julio Iglesias, and Sponge Bob Square Pants for another 3 day binge.
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