Instrumental Music- Letting the Music Speak for Itself

Written By: Darren Bocksnick

When words are put to music there is a synergistic “magic” that transpires, ascending even the words themselves. The result is a powerful blend of passion, artistry and creativity as it unfolds, inviting the listener along a journey of discovery where the depths and pinnacles of a myriad of emotions are experienced in their fullness.

Music in all of its extremes, varieties, genres and styles is an intricate part of our society. Lyrics have been powerful and impacting enough to inspire generations and even help formulate as well as embody an entire culture. It has been through the combined elements of the words and the music that many a listener has been inspired, found hope, felt passion, become angry, gotten excited and acted in a rowdy manner- all because of the powerful bond between words and the music accompanying them.

As broad and as beautiful a combination this is, there is a limiting element in this relationship of words and music when combined. Words tend to “brand” and label the arrangement to follow a “prescribed” path- toward the climactic buildup that the words are conveying in the message.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, just limiting in the sense that the listener has no choice but to “hear the message of the words” and either accept it, discard it or ignore it but nonetheless, to hear it. In such cases, the message often leaves little room for interpretation as the lyrics spell it out for the listener. Worst case, the message conveyed by the words may not be exactly what the listener needs to hear at that given moment and could lead to something other than the message intended.

There is however, another aspect of music often overlooked yet equally powerful and inspiring. Instrumental music, which also comes in vast array of styles, genres and arrangements, offers the best that encompasses a traditional “word-centered” song but without the limiting element previously mentioned.

Simply put, instrumental music often has the same effect on the listener- inspiration, motivation, emotion and passion yet leaves the arrangement open for interpretation. The real benefit of this is that with an instrumental composition, one’s imagination is free to soar and to let the music, quite simply- speak for itself!

Though there are styles and genres even within instrumental music such as smooth jazz, fusion, instrumental rock, classical, melodic, techno and even instrumental surf music- which tend to “paint a musical picture”, it is still open for the listener to perceive, contemplate and derive from the arrangement as desired. That being said, even within an instrumental genre such as fusion or techno, the listener is able to interpret the music for its own merit and draw from it what he or she will, even though it follows the said, musical formats.

Instrumental music is a must-have in your musical arsenal. It helps open up new avenues of creative expression and depths of contemplative insight that may never have been explored. Words put to music have their place and in many cases, ring on long after the limelight has faded. Lyrics such as this: “I hide in my music and forget the day” from that iconic band, Boston still ride the airwaves- circulating the globe and sailing the eternal, endless void of space will ever live on in our thoughts and memories.

Yet, in addition to the powerful word-songs populating your playlist, do consider exploring the often, unchartered territory of instrumental music in all its wonder and ingenious. You will find it positively uplifting, genuinely impacting and powerfully moving! It is a must have, must hear in helping you discover your musical “center”. Even in instrumental music, you can still find your “voice” but it’s the music that speaks for itself and the music is the message!