Anyone else have a hard time getting into instrumental music
 

So over the past few months I've notices something: I can not get into instrumental music. It's not that the instrumental aspect of music doesn't appeal to me, on the contrary I think instrumentals are as important as vocals: It's just that when you remove vocals from the mix it just seems like you loose a "guiding light" in the music.

Am I alone in this? Are there others who feel the same way?

I think maybe I felt that way when I was in my teens but it's definitely not how I feel today. Some days I'd say I actually even prefer instrumental music because it seems more like pure sonic expression, unencumbered by the baggage of words.

I used to agree with you. Gradually that opinion changed though. I think a large part of it was coming to appreciate classical music.

Not at all. I've always liked instrumental music.

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I pretty much agree with this. There are times that beg for instrumental music, like when I'm reading. Vocals are way too distracting.

As a teen, most people want something that expresses what they're thinking and feeling inside, so it's natural to prefer music with vocals. Plus that's what you're exposed to. Instrumental music doesn't get much exposure.

I pay so little attention to lyrics most of the time I don't even notice if a song has words or not.

First exposure I had to instrumental was the post rock genre, some of it has some great stuff. I don't think it was very hard to get into in my opinion, it just took some time to get used to not hearing lyrics. I actually prefer music without lyrics. Lets me give more appreciation for the musical talent.

I have a special place in my heart for instrumental music. I like vocals but instrumental music speaks to me in a different way. Lyrics kinda guide you and your emotions but when you remove them the song wakes different kind of emotions and the song can be about anything

I agree with this. I never appreciated classical or instrumental music when I was younger, possibly because I had never made the effort to learn about it or actually listen to some of it. Even in high school, in all the music courses I took, I never thought twice about this music. I'm embarrassed to admit, as a multi-instrumentalist, I never took the time to learn about the music I was playing before I entered university. Things are different now though - I actually read the notes that come with the books or the sheet music.

When I started university as a music student, I was being educated on all aspects of Western art music since the era of Ancient Greece. I have a stronger appreciation for classical music especially, and am now starting to listen to more instrumental jazz and avant-garde music made during the 20th and 21st centuries.

My next goal is to get more into the traditional instrumental music of the rest of the world.

i feel yall on this... jazz and some funky jam deals i'm into but house and techno are tough to listen to unless aided by some unnatural substance

I actually think that i have an aversion to music with lyrics, as opposed to vocals, which can be very instrumental and non-lyrical in their own right. There are definitely exceptions, but i think instrumental music, as Janzoon was getting at, really allows me to connect both to what I may be feeling at the moment and the core of what inspired the musician who created the piece.

I'm one of the few people who will agree with you on this. I have a really hard time getting into instrumental music too. Maybe it's because of my age, I don't know. Occasionally I'll listen to some jazzy stuff but I don't actually have any instrumental music on my iPod.

Not at all as long as its a strat on lead with just a bass and drums along with it. Playing a sad tune of some sorts or just an interesting not so bland piece. Like Srv's version of little wing or Zack Rosicka's version of while we cry.

I'm pretty sure the first instrumental songs that made me appreciate music without vocals were these two:

I don't really have a hard time getting into instrumental stuff. Except for a big section of Prog rock though, which is heavily instrumental. So sure, put me in the instrumental category.

I didnt have too hard a time getting into instrumentals. But it does depend on the genre as well, death or black metal songs for example I'd not want to lose the vocals from, because in that sort of music the vocals are a vital mix that give the song the desired atmosphere.

Whereas in stuff like hip hop, reggae, dancehall, DnB, dubstep, garage, house or whatever else, I actually like listening to the beat on its own without the rapping because alot of the time its the beat I listen to first, then the flow over the beat, and finally lyrics (and as such, poor lyrical content would not make me dislike a song if they reached my criteria for the first two categories).

I'm the same way.

I have to re-listen to songs to hear what they say in the lyrics because I miss them a majority of the time.

No, not at all. Sometimes I love the music I hear and I am really bothered by awful vocals. I like Jazz, I like dub, I like stoner rock, these genres do have a lot of instrumentals.
I even prefer all three of them without vocals. Having said that, I dislike Jazz with vocals alltogether.

I've always been a fan of instrumental music, really. I'm not a fan of shit musical interludes on albums from bands who aren't really all that technically proficient, but music sans vocals certainly has the capacity to blow my mind. Which it does quite frequently.

Like others have said, instrumental music allows a connection with the music itself. I don't see it as being bogged down by words which you may or may not be able to relate to, so it can evoke more specific emotions than many songs featuring lyrics. You may not be able to relate to lyrics from Bright Eyes or Elliott Smith completely, but listening to a popular classical piece such as Beethoven's Fur Elise does allow for a very personal connection with the more melancholy soundscape.

I should mention that I see the voice as an instrument. I don't listen to the words, I listen to the sound of a voice, the melody it makes.

Exactly what I do.

I did at one point in time, but getting into Nightmares on Wax and Samurai Champloo when I was a lot younger definitely opened my eyes to instrumental music, and that interest carried to other genres. Particularly in jazz, I greatly prefer music without vocals like you mentioned. Sometimes it's good, but I'll always prefer being able to focus on the instruments being played. With post rock and electronic music in particular I find the lack of vocals allows me to paint my own picture of what the musician is expressing through their music rather than being handed a meaning for the song. Though there is also something very special about finding a song with impressive lyrics that you can completely relate to.

I'd say the vast majority of my music is instrumental. I think it's because I'm very finicky with vocals. Quite ironic considering I listen to stuff like DSBM and whatnot! :laughing:

i never learned any musical instrument cause my head explodes just by listening to all the G-Cleff/Major 9 lessons.

Lolwut?

Were talking about instrumental music.

Well technicalities of music in general confuses me. And i'm sure there's more to that with musical instruments, so no.

Instrumental music is music without any lead vocals...

You really do not have the slightest clue what you are talking about. Ever.

Ha alas..someone rendering me a genuis lol

You spelled genius wrong.

Yes I know...hence the lol at the end...thought it would add to the humor

I fail. :crazy:

Just that being its no mystery that im not winning any spelling or typing contests any time soon. (especially when im on here and im drinkin) I thought the mispelling of the genius part would add to it. Emphasizing it with a lol. meh..its whatever..I thought it was kinda funny.

The unfortunate part is...that's what I initially thought when you posted it. I've seen you around the forums and you seem like a bit of a laid back person. Should've just gone with my gut on that one. No hard feelings, I generally don't like to correct errors. Makes me feel like an asshole.

Someone being an ass doesnt really bother me man. You didnt come off that way at all though. Even if someones being an ass on here its just a forum and last time I checked nobody on here pays my bills. So I dont take much seriously..I have your occasional drunken rant or insult but I try to refrain unless its in good spirit with a friend on here or something. I can poke fun at myself as quick as I can anyone else. Your all good man no worries

:beer:

great, another bromance, all that's missing is a kiss.

'Jealousy, it is the green ey'd monster'.........

:rofl::rofl::rofl:
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...broke-back.jpg

If these dudes had pig tails instead of cowboy hats it would be gold