What makes a song that is a guitar instrumental good?

[stephen sawall]

Same thing that makes all good music good ..... emotion.

 

[Beyond Black]

I think that in the early stages of crafting a song the guitarist already has an advantage because he doesn't have to deal with some fucking prima-donna singer!

 

[scottywompas]

For me I try to let my guitar sing the song. Just because it doesn't have a vocalist doesn't mean it can't sing.

Some themes in melody and a few variations. A few show off licks maybe. I think it really isn't any different than what makes any music good.

Scott

 

[JLeurck]

I think that in the early stages of crafting a song the guitarist already has an advantage because he doesn't have to deal with some fucking prima-donna singer!

That one sent coffee through my nose (ouch)

 

[vchizzle]

From what folks usually view as guitar instrumentals do much for me. Seems the second it's guitar anything it won't do a thing for me as a listener. That said take something like while my Guitar Gently Weeps, whether it be Harrison doing it as a vocal tune, Vinnie Moore as a high gain hang, Thomas leeb as an acoustic Fingerstyle thing, or Birdland done by Weather Report, or Lukather or as an acoustic hang...when the harmony and melody is happening the tune is happening regardless of instrumentation.

That's a great point. When the melody and arrangement are there and trully great the instrumentation of those parts can be varied in any number of forms. As long as the melody and harmony are present the song can be equally moving to a person in various formats.