Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723 |
Although I do so admire and appreciate the difficulty of bringing an instrumental piece to life, many times I feel something's missing. Like why is that piece called Moonlight Dancer? I think it's supposed to inspire that feeling from the music. Many times I don't get it. I only remember a few top instrumental pieces that have survived the years, some Mozart or Beethoven pieces, maybe a Stevie Rae Vaugh or a Hendrix. Many instrumentals are great background music for a nice dinner or relaxing or making love. But as a lyricist primarily, personally I find the imaginary of words and a good vocalist who can express the words add so much to the completeness of a song. A perfect marriage between the lyrics and the music. Just as a poem seems incomplete with out the music, so does an instrumental piece without words.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,135
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,135 |
As a lyrist I can understand why you would gravitate to song lyrics but for me, it's just the opposite. I seldom listen to the words (and it drives my wife batty!) but the soundscape of a song can instantly change my mood.
Really good songs can exist as an instrumental piece or with a vocalist singing. Henry Mancini use to release both choral and instrumental versions. "Moon River" or "Dear One" are just as effective either way.
Jim Fogle - 2024 BiaB (1111) RB (5) Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723 |
I do agree that there are some really memorable instrumentals. And you are correct in that we may all have our biases.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,911
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,911 |
I do agree that there are some really memorable instrumentals. And you are correct in that we may all have our biases. I believe our Biases are based on our instrument. As a guitarist in a wedding band I just listened to the guitar parts, the chord progression and the bass lines, i.e. I still have that bias today. I let our singers worry about the lyrics.
I just posted a selfie and all of the responses were get well soon!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723 |
Hey Mario, I believe it has been said every fix to a carpenter is a nail or to a surgeon is a saw/scissors. Truly we are focused on our equipment and to me probably more about the lyrics. But I view a really good song as it's own entity an overall combination of many collaborations. The singer would deliver the expression and emotion to the lyrics, and is not necessarily the songwriter. Many great singers have never written anything and many good songwriters do not sing at all. To me a great song is a good marriage of skills from the musician, the lyric writer and the singer. I do acknowledge that some fantastic instrumentals do hold their own. But sometimes I listen to an instrumental called A Day at the Beach or Moonlight Dancer, that I think is possibly meant for me to feel that title or something and I don't get it. Sometimes I hear a singer sing lyrics and I can't understand a word they are saying, maybe because of a heavy accent or they never really learned to enuciate words properly. In both cases it takes something away from the delivery and the understanding and feeling of the song. I like it when people post their lyrics or a really good singer can enuciate the words properly and I can understand the instrumentals behind the song meaning.
Last edited by Belladonna; 02/10/18 03:30 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,135
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,135 |
I've got to tell you Belladonna, you've really contributed since you've joined the forum. I really enjoyed thinking about some of the questions you've asked and reading your comments.
Jim Fogle - 2024 BiaB (1111) RB (5) Ultra+ PAK DAWs: Cakewalk by BandLab (CbB) - Standalone: Zoom MRS-8 Laptop: i3 Win 10, 8GB ram 500GB HDD Desktop: i7 Win 11, 12GB ram 256GB SSD, 4 TB HDD Music at: https://fogle622.wix.com/fogle622-audio-home
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 881
Expert
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 881 |
I personally listen to WAY more instrumental music than tunes with vocals. For me, if the music does not move you, then adding words will not change that. Now, with that said, some of the most emotive song writing, IMHO, are simple blues like songs that have a message besides the " I love you / you took my dog / I shot yer mom / it's raining again today" stuff.... We all have our favorite styles of music, that's for sure!
i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723 |
A good or a great song is certainly a complete package. The music definitely has to be good, but great lyric imagery can take the song out of the park. Good music can certainly touch you and an upbeat number can get you up on the dance floor and tapping your toes. I will agree that good music can carry bad lyrics as we see a lot in rock or pop music. But in country, folk and blues lyrics bring a more personal message to the song. People can say I know exactly what the singer is talking about. Many times they say that's happened to me or I remember being there with so and so. Lyrics can complement the music in a way nothing else can. Even some rock tunes, I always think about Bob Seeger's songs. Simon and Garfinkel, Gordon Lightfoot, James Taylor and their songs with great lyrics and great music.
Last edited by Belladonna; 02/10/18 09:37 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,911
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,911 |
Hi Donna,
You are a fantastic lyricist. That has been proven time and time again. I am an instrumentalist, again proven many times. I can't write a lick of serious music, however I have done a couple of comedy songs. Comedy lyrics seem to be the only lyrics I can come up with.
I just hope you will like my version of Bottom Dollar Blues after I finish it. I'm not a singer anymore but at times I try.
I just posted a selfie and all of the responses were get well soon!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,338
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,338 |
Instrumentals get named mostly from the thoughts and emotions the composer is feeling at the time. Such as remembering how she danced in the moonlight. If the listener feels that emotion and can relate.... the composer has succeeded.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,063
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,063 |
Hi Donna,
I can understand your feelings. For me, what's missing from many instrumental pieces is a catchy memorable melody. We are pretty close in age, so if you remember back when you were a kid to the great instrumentals that were played on top forty radio - for example Herb Alfred and the Tijuana Brass - you may, I know I do - still remember those melodies.
Classical music, great jazz, and big band instrumentals intertwine beautiful melodies within the arrangement. Which is why so many popular songs with lyrics have borrowed from them throughout history.
So for me, there are different levels of instrumentals - from the jam session which I don't always but sometimes find interesting to the well composed instrumentals which can be downright mesmerizing.
Josie
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723 |
Mario D, That is so great!!! Looking forward to hearing your creativity and take on Bottom Dollar Blues.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723 |
Josie, I do agree. There seems to be many sort of new agey spacey instrumentals with poetic names. They are nice and relaxing but don't really stand out as something you'll remember years from now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414 |
I fall somewhere in the middle of this discussion. On one hand - I think lyrics are important, and can absolutely transform the way a song hits you. When a song has lyrics that you resonate with, it is a beautiful thing. That being said, different genres of music to me hold different levels of importance when it comes to lyrics.
I listen to a lot of hip hop and rap, which is a very poetic genre of music (I know a lot of forum members don't listen to this type of music, but there is much more to it than arrogance and cussing). Oftentimes, impactful lyrics with precise delivery can make or break a song in this genre. On the other hand, when I'm listening to classic soul music from the 70's I literally don't give a single thought to what is being said. It just doesn't matter to me, because the mood and emotion from that genre comes from the instruments themselves.
At the end of the day, I generally consider myself a lyrics guy - but I definitely listen to my share of music where the lyrics are either average or irrelevant. There is a time and place for it, in my honest opinion.
Last edited by Deryk - PG Music; 02/11/18 12:38 PM.
Cheers, Deryk
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,126
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,126 |
An ole guy's FWIW babblings.... A well written instrumental, irrespective of the title, can let the listener create 100% of their imagery. I couldn't imagine the Allman Brothers' "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" or "Little Martha" or "Les Bres in A Minor" with a lyric. Yet the guitar playing on them is extremely melodic and memorable. I couldn't imagine Miles Davis' Kind Of Blue album with vocals...and it is widely accepted as one of the most influential albums of all. On the other hand, a well written lyric can often leave enough dots for the listener to connect to put herself in the story at some level. Adding that personal level can leave the song more memorable than those that connect all the dots for you. On the third hand a song with all the dots connected can tell a wonderful story. On the fourth hand there are some folks who could sing the local phonebook and I would be entranced. I just love music...of so many genres. Give me a heartfelt, soulful vocal or a heartfelt soulful instrumental and I'm good. Bud
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723 |
Yes, I think we can all acknowledge that there are gold stars in every genre, instrumental and lyrics enhanced. No one can rain on the parade of the outstanding instrumentalists who bring such emotion and prominence to their songs. I guess what I have a hard time with is more mediocre instrumentalists who put a title to their work, which maybe is the setting that inspired them, but I don't feel it or get it. Not that it's wrong and I certainly appreciate everyone's effort to make music. It's just that an instrumental title of Rain on the Mountains or something makes me question why? I don't get that and being a lyricist I feel it's not complete and something's missing to enable me to get the complete feeling. I mainly feel that great vocals and lyrics add a lot to instrumental music, unless you are sooooo good that you don't need it like Herb Alpert, Stevie Rae Vaughn, Hendrix, etc. As a lyricist lately so appreciating the work of Jimmy Webb and Harlan Harlan, also more currently Bob Seeger, James Taylor the marriage of music and lyrics. But so nice to hear everyone's take on it. To be honest, my husband of many years confessed to me he mostly likes instrumentals and I am a dancer and gravitate towards that as a dancer. But I am a poet and love lyrics.
Last edited by Belladonna; 02/11/18 01:28 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,574
Expert
|
Expert
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,574 |
I'm really enjoying acoustic versions of various hits (Rock, R & B, Chart Pop). They can be very refreshing and highlight good songs regardless of stylistic embellishments. As for instrumentals, apart from classical music, I'd go for Pink Floyd amongst others.
Windows 10 Home 20H2 Build 19042.487 BIAB 2021 (Build 818) Intel(R) Core(TM), i3-4160, CPU @3.60 GHz RAM 16 GB, 64 Bit X64-based processor Zoom UAC-2 (USB 3 interface-built in midi) VoiceLive 3 Extreme, Sputnik Valve Condenser Mic
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,911
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,911 |
I'm really enjoying acoustic versions of various hits (Rock, R & B, Chart Pop). They can be very refreshing and highlight good songs regardless of stylistic embellishments. As for instrumentals, apart from classical music, I'd go for Pink Floyd amongst others. If you enjoy classical and like Pocol Harum then you might like this version of Whiter Shade of Pale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St6jyEFe5WM
I just posted a selfie and all of the responses were get well soon!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723
Journeyman
|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723 |
Hey Bud, Love, love, love the Allman Brothers instrumentals. Yes, it if the soul emotion can be transported to the listener, it's definitely a winner.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Songwriting
|
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,945
PG Music Staff
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,945 |
I love both instrumentals and songs with a heavy focus on lyrics. I don't think I would ever personally choose one over the other. I think I have just as many instrumentals in my musical library as I do songs with lyrics.
For me, I find that instrumentals are just as inspiring as as songs with lyrics, but the big difference with instrumentals is that you can let your mind wander and explore the music and see what kind of imagery springs forth from it (I use instrumentals as inspiration when I do abstract paintings). I also use instrumentals as a mood adjuster.
Some of my favourite instrumentals are by Hungry Ghosts, but I also really enjoy Beyond This Moment by Patrick O'hearn. I actually put it on loop, personally. I find it really helps me to relax and helps soothe me after a long day when I can't sleep. Almost like an adult lullaby, I suppose!
But I love, love, love lyrics. You can definitely find your own meaning in lyrics as well for sure and can connect with lyrics in a way that makes you feel like someone else out there gets you, but there is usually a very specific idea or inspiration or meaning behind the lyrics that the original writer had intended. I am sure that this is also the case with some instrumentals, but I feel like there is a bit more room with an instrumental song for the self-insertion of the listener.
That's just my two cents on the subject of instrumental versus a song with lyrics, though!
Last edited by Ember - PG Music; 03/08/18 07:50 AM.
Cheers, Ember
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Video: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box®
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 German for Windows is Here!
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!
Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 und mehr!
Paket | Was ist Neu
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums66
Topics81,729
Posts736,668
Members38,558
|
Most Online2,537 Jan 19th, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|