# Good instrumental music **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 28, 2011, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406 "2011-08-28T19:01:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/21 "2011-08-29T04:31:19Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > And you should also check out [Atomic Bitchwax](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOb--90a2nE)’s new album _The Local Fuzz_. It’s one 42 minute song and it totally fucking rocks (and has no vocals). The link there is to a 9 minute excerpt. Speaking of which, there’s always _Pink Lady Lemonade_ by Acid Mothers Temple and the Melting Paraiso UFO ([http://youtu.be/CcQTSEWbGyI](http://youtu.be/CcQTSEWbGyI)). Depending on the performance, it ranges from 45 minutes to somewhere above an hour. And then, of course, there’s always Earth and SunnO))), but playing those bands at proper volumes wouldn’t exactly be conducive to writing. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/22 "2011-08-29T04:45:49Z")
The Philadelphia[Experiment](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3JDyqKxq8A&feature=related)(Album) is a collaboration with Christian McBride (Bass) and a few others. Kind of a funky/cool contemporary jazz album. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/23 "2011-08-29T05:14:31Z")
Visit [www.guitar9.com](http://www.guitar9.com) , listen and choose stuff you like. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/24 "2011-08-29T08:23:23Z")
> [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](#): > > Do you like electronic music? If so that would open up a lot of options (particularly the IDM subgenre). Yes ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/25 "2011-08-29T08:26:38Z")
> [@Shakester](#): > > Brian Eno’s Another Green World has vocals. There are lyrics all over that album. Yeah. It’s close enough though. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 9:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/26 "2011-08-29T09:57:08Z")
For instrumental rock I turn to Irish band _And So I Watch You From Afar_. [BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXp4eqzKS_U) [Set Guitars To Kill](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N_QEOGs37w) [These Riots Are Just The Beginning](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjGBM1d0S4c&feature=related) Lovely stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/27 "2011-08-29T10:31:02Z")
I’d second those suggesting Brian Eno, he’s an excellent gateway into lots of weird and wonderful stuff. You might also consider NEU! A bunch of experimental 70’s german nutters who produced some real gems. Such as [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awNiwKoyoR8), [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiMQ5r5y78g) and [this.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAXYMOgHQI4) and just maybe, the Human League was at the forefront of electronic dance music of the early 80’s and produced a [great album](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd7pIZcwVU8) of pretty much instrumental remixes of some of their hits. Very much “of its time” but I like it. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/28 "2011-08-29T13:06:47Z")
I listen to a lot of instrumental rock at work, and for non-distracting but stimulating music, surf rock fills the bill. There are plenty of different styles, from mystical/floating (i.e. the Mermen) to hanging out at the beach club (the Aqua Velvets) to stomping a rival biker outfit (Satan’s Pilgrims). The surf genre is about 99% instrumental. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/29 "2011-08-29T16:25:04Z")
Old-time instrumental rock: Ventures, Duane Eddy Cool jazz: Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz, Modern Jazz Quartet Soul-jazz: _Swiss Movement_ by Les McCann & Eddie Harris Acoustic folk: Leo Kottke (some vocals), John Fahey Jazz-rock: Jeff Beck, _Blow by Blow_ ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/30 "2011-08-29T19:02:27Z")
Apocalyptica A heavy metal band comprised of 4 cellists and a drummer. Most of their stuff is just instrumental, although some do have words. ---
**Author:** ![happycamper\_5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/cab0a1/32.png) [@happycamper\_5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happycamper_5)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/31 "2011-08-29T19:26:32Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Apocalyptica > > A heavy metal band comprised of 4 cellists and a drummer. Most of their stuff is just instrumental, although some do have words. Second this. Apocalyptica are brilliant. I love their Metallica covers. [Kronos Quartet](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_G-ZyUolZQ). Don’t let the fact that their Requiem For A Dream soundtrack is wildly overplayed stop you from checking them out. [The Books](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wVhWcpZpac). I’m not sure how to classify them, but then, I don’t think anyone is. The safest genre to use is Experimental. A lot of their songs have words, but they’re vocal samples instead of lyrics. ---
**Author:** ![by-tor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/by-tor/32/266_2.png) [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/32 "2011-08-29T19:50:08Z")
Don’t forget Michael Hedges, the originator of the style of playing that Andy McKee and others do nowadays. [Michael Hedges - Aerial Boundaries - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P9mmZyGb4s&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![by-tor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/by-tor/32/266_2.png) [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/33 "2011-08-29T20:05:33Z")
Also Ozric Tentacles is amazing. https://www.youtube.com/embed/O3SP3TTOfHQ?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=PL86045CB8C6EF908D ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/34 "2011-08-29T20:11:30Z")
Lots of Frank Zappa, but especially Hot Rats, Burnt Weeny Sandwich, Sleep Dirt and the Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar series. ---
**Author:** ![Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swords_to_Plowshares)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/35 "2011-08-29T20:26:18Z")
Some electronic music: [Sixtoo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G55jMXbQZ3A) [Ludique](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdyHv12sS-o) [Clark](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXeg0kqv66A) (some of his songs have vocals, but they’re definitely not the focus of the song. They’re often distorted or indecipherable.) ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/36 "2011-08-29T20:31:47Z")
> [@mr.jp](#): > > Yes Well then, for my own instrumental chill out mix, I might recommend the following artists: Bonabo Daft Punk Deadmou5 DJ Shadow Gorillaz (still has lyrics) Johann Johannsson Massive Attack Moby Orbital Sasha + John Digweed Thievery Corporation Zero 7 Rodrigo y Gabriela also do a great cover of the Metallica instrumental Orion. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/37 "2011-08-29T21:07:52Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Well then, for my own instrumental chill out mix, I might recommend the following artists: > Bonabo > Daft Punk > Deadmou5 > DJ Shadow > Gorillaz (still has lyrics) > Johann Johannsson > Massive Attack > Moby > Orbital > Sasha + John Digweed > Thievery Corporation > Zero 7 > > Rodrigo y Gabriela also do a great cover of the Metallica instrumental Orion. I really like Massive Attack and Gorillaz, unfortunately they have a little too much singing. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2011, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/38 "2011-08-29T21:21:25Z")
A few of my favorite pieces: [Bach - Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9Und4bDtXE) [The Enchanted Forest](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVY9QvgbIAI&feature=related) [“The Duel”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in_ZVmckrmU) from Electric Dreams (which is actually Minuet in G major by Bach) [Chilli Hot](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV-W2MrZ_TQ&feature=related) from the Get Shorty Soundtrack (not sure of the one I link to is the official version) Possibly my favorite piece of music period: Dream Academy’s [Please Please Let Me Get What I Want](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6kzKqFRS4g) (AKA That Music from Ferris Bueller in the Art Museum.) ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2011, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/39 "2011-08-30T02:24:31Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Well then, for my own instrumental chill out mix, I might recommend the following artists: > Bonabo > Daft Punk > Deadmou5 > DJ Shadow > Gorillaz (still has lyrics) > Johann Johannsson > Massive Attack > Moby > Orbital > Sasha + John Digweed > Thievery Corporation > Zero 7 [Aphex Twin](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiVe_4UVhEE) [William Orbit](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQudjuAhNR4) [Solarstone](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIdHZTSX_70) [Random Rab](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXlI0wKbi_4) [Trentemøller](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DUCKGyojpE) [Chemical](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GqRsmffeVI) [Brothers](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S43IwBF0uM&ob=av2e) [Banco de Gaia](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atT_KZ5Go_U) [Anoushka Shankar](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PvbQuv1f04) ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2011, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406/40 "2011-08-30T02:30:20Z")
Also: DJ Tiesto Paul Oakenfold (although some of his songs are lyrical) Paul Van Dyk David Holmes (sort of a trip hop / acid jazz sound. Did most of the Ocean’s Eleven soundtrack). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-instrumental-music/594406.md?page=3)