Instrumental Inquisition!

Instrumentals have supplied some of music’s most evocative moments. We asked some top guitarists for their take on this iconic movement. This month: American melodic thrash pioneer and jazz improvisor, Alex Skolnick.

- Alex Skolnick.

GT: What is it about guitar instrumentals that appeals ?

AS: To be honest, I’m generally not that big a fan of tunes that sound specifically targeted to guitarists and fans of the guitar - you know, the type of stuff one hears at music trade shows (not to rub anyone the wrong way, just my personal taste). That said, one of my favourite shows in recent years was the guitar instrumental king, Jeff Beck. However, he does it in a way that is as much about the mood, the dynamics, the textures and the band interaction as about the guitar. As a listener, I look for instrumental music that has these qualities, whether there’s guitar or not. As an artist, I do my best to strive for that in my own instrumental music.

GT: What can an instrumental provide that a vocal song can’t?

AS: It can be refreshing to hear music that uses the texture and melody created on instruments as the main focus, as well as hearing what the musicians are capable of beyond supporting a vocal. Also, a good instrumental is free from being defined by words and more open to listener interpretation.

GT: Is there anything that you aim to embrace or avoid?

AS: The most important thing to me is to capture a mood. This happens in a different way, depending on what sort of ensemble one is playing in, or whether one is playing unaccompanied or with loops. One thing that gets in the way, and something I do my best to avoid, is overplaying. There has to be a sense of musical development - where is the piece going? If you take the listener on a little audio voyage, then you’ve done your job.

GT: Is a typical song structure always relevant?