Writing/Composing good (ok, subjective) instrumental music

[soong]

ok so right now my band is lacking a lead vocalist but we want to steer away from writing and composing music made for a 4 piece band that INCLUDES a singer.

I have never delved in the world of instrumental rock music (although a big fan of many instrumental bands).

We play a modern blues/rock kinda thing. My guitarist is a somewhat blues shredder (think kirk hammett etc).

Any kinda methodology with writing memorable instrumental music?

thanks in advance.

[fenderhutz]

Lots of noises, not alot of wanking. Good grooves are important, chances are if you are swaying to the music when you are playing it the listener will be as well.

Don't make it the guitarists solo project, invest in some good effects.

[mutedeity]

I think one thing if you want to make the music memorable is to find some interesting hooks that can be remembered like a vocal line would. I would also try devices like returning to a theme varying that theme, keychanging on a theme. Antecedence and consequence or "call and response" in phrasing is also a good way to keep things interesting instrumentally. There are a lot of ways you can make a piece interesting without vocals. Mainly though don't be afraid to experiment with what you are doing.

[BassChuck]

Originally Posted by mutedeity

I think one thing if you want to make the music memorable is to find some interesting hooks that can be remembered like a vocal line would.

This is a very, very important point.

Also, try building songs from chord progressions from songs that you like.

[mutedeity]

Originally Posted by BassChuck

This is a very, very important point.

Also, try building songs from chord progressions from songs that you like.

I am glad you mentioned that, I almost did myself. It is interesting when you quote your influences musically sometimes. Some people think this is a kind of plagiarism, though. My take is that paying tribute in a way that serves as a quote of another piece of music is not plagiarism as long as you are recontextualising that phrase.

[soong]

cool stuff.
as we're somewhat of a blues band, how would i create a 12 bar blues progression into a great instrumental and not just a jam?

and all i know in 12 bar is my walking basslines. Any tips for bass creativity in a 12 bar situation?

[alfredpunkjazz]

sustitute chords all around is the way to go, maybe...