Instrumental music will come in all shapes and sizes. From classical inspirations of history to the hip and upbeat music of today, instrumental songs are not going anywhere. We have found only a brief look into a few of the more popular forms of instrumentals with some popular hits which i feel brought those genres in to the light. - J Dilla style beat
When I used to think of instrumental music my thoughts instantly drifted to the boring music that's played in elevators, grocery stores and in hotel lobbies. The fact is it could be just as moving without lyrics as some songs which have lyrics. Way back in the 1700-1800's Classic instrumental music was the most popular type of music with artists like Mozart and Joseph Haydn topping the "charts". You aren't even half an ear would not say that Mozart was boring! If you have never taken time to stop and smell the roses listening to Mozart's Andante, Adagio, or Rondo compositions you are surely missing out on one of our world's most precious gifts.
My next category is Jazz instrumental music. It started out from a variety of genre's to become how it's today. With its gentle rock and funk rhythms it's not hard to see why in the 1970's it was a favorite to many. "So What" by Miles Davis and John Coltrane's "My Favorite Things" are a couple of my favorites. Are both very beautiful jazz instrumental pieces. Lots of you readers knows "My Favorite Things" from the movie, "The Sound Of Music." Although a great vocal song, being a Jazz compilation it is made better in my own opinion.
Now onto my personal favorite instrumental category: Rock instrumental music. If you ask me, there are two very different kinds of Rock instrumental categories. First there was clearly the early music from the 60's and 70's. These bands usually featured organs, saxophones, pianos and some guitar. Some of the most famous bands/artists using this time were The Ventures "Walk-Don't Run", The Allman Brothers Band "Jessica", and let's keep in mind Booker T and the MGs "Green Onions". The next type came later inside the 80's. This is when every one of the "big hair" bands were dominating the charts and several solo guitarists begun to emerge. Steve Vai "For The romance Of God", Stevie Ray Vaughn "Little Wing" and Jason Becker "Perpetual Burn" are among my personal favorite guitarists and songs. In case you have never heard these guitarists you ought to seriously look them up. - J Dilla style beat