What Are Your Favorite Instrumental Tunes?

[MaVolta]

The subject of instrumentals came up in another thread, so I thought it might be fun to see what instrumental tunes everyone enjoys. Instrumentals cover a wide range of genres when you start to think about it; classical (of course), movie soundtracks, pop, jazz, big band oldies, blues, country, rock, and many instrumental versions of your favorite song titles, too.

So what instrumental music do you like? What are your favorite tunes or instrumental versions of your favorite songs? Multiple tunes and multiple genres are okay. And, if you have favorite on youtube, feel free to post the link so that we can listen, too!

[dl73698250]

So many. Two off the top of my head are Ravel's Bolero https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsF53JpBMlk

and

Georgio's Tears. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85EOb07c0MY

[rockaria]

I like to have music playng all the time.  When I'm doing something that requires concentration (taxes) I put Pachelbel's Canon in D on a loop because it's so soft and soothing.  It just keeps on playing until I'm finished & shut it off.

[Marilyn34]

Pachelbells Canon in D is my favorite.  It is so calming for me

[Marilyn34]

This too is my favorite as it is so relaxing.

[r807892k]

Soul Sacrifice - Santana

Black Sand - Kalapana

The Horse - Cliff Nobles

Variations on a Theme - Blood, Sweat & Tears

[ip3285]

I think Pachelbel's Canon in D major is one of the most melodic, relaxing pieces I've ever played or heard being played.  

[lilsassy]

I have always been in love with the instrumental theme from the movie "Somewhere In Time" by John Barry and Roger Williams:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhahbyEjFPw

One of my all time favorite jazz instrumentals is "Europa" by Gato Barbieri, composed by Carlos Santana:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIRI6CvtO6o

[Merrill58]

To me the sexiest saxaphone instrumental EVER!!!

[Merrill58]

Absolutely one of my faves as well Europa!

[Merrill58]

Two awesome favorites of mine are Europa - Gata Barbieri and Santana and Cause We Ended as Lovers - Jeff Beck!

[ip3285]

Vivaldi's Four Seasons, especially "Winter".  Some day  with enough practice I'll be able to play the transitions on that piece! 

[ka4211]

Love Theme from "Lady Sings the Blues" by Michel Legrand.

[ip3285]

Vivaldi's concerto for two guitars in G major.  I love the rhythm.

[rc61653200]

My favorite instrumental music:

   In the Mood

   Theme from a Summer Place

   The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

   Tequila

   Green Onions

   The Lonely Bull

   Dueling Banjos

[noyfb]

Sooooooo many:

Classical Gas

Beethoven's 7th

Birdland

Samba pa ti

Take Five

Blue Rondo la Turk

Jingo

Soul Sacrifice

Seranade to a Cuckoo

Just about anything with Ian Anderson; Bouree, In the Grip of Stronger Stuff, his take on God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen

[h602235n]

I like Native American flute music - it’s calming and meditative. Most recently I’ve been listening to some music by Bill Neal Elk Whistle from his Facebook fan page. Here’s a link to a video I particularly like: https://www.facebook.com/BillNealElkWhistle/videos/1321596598700/.

Here’s another awesome song and video: https://www.facebook.com/BillNealElkWhistle/videos/1828675195348/.

The third song is different because it’s a traditional Americana song, but played in a way I haven’t heard before - it’s available as a download on Apple Music:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/wayfaring-stranger-single/1257691732.

Enjoy!

[h602235n]

Here’s another of Bill Neal Elk Whistle’s music videos that I love to listen to:

https://youtu.be/0AYxfob07A8.

[bm70494730]

Anything by Duke Ellington from 1939.

Also my own tune, "Song for Lisa" - 

https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/barrymauer5 

[cwnurse]

Delicado performed by Percy Faith & his Orchestra.

Ravel's Bolero (I don't think anyone can mess this one up).

Apache performed by The Shadows

[rh97821964]

Music Box Dancer: Frank Mills

[domi1800]

"Lighit Above the Trees" Keiko Matsui. I first heard this piece the night my mother passed away in May 2013. I recieved the call and jumped in the car to go to her home and this tune came on the radio.  It took me to a place of piece and calm.

[jm2422]

1.) "'Round Midnight"-Miles Davis

2.) "Meeting of the Spirits"-John McLaughlin/Mahavishnu Orchestra

3.) "Satch's Boogie"-Joe Satriani

4.) "Race with the Devil"-Al DiMeola

5.) "Birdland"-Weather Report

6.) "Medley-*Crow River Waltz

                  *Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

                  *Jack Fig (Leo Kottke/My Feet Are Smiling)

[Cirice]

---

@jm2422wrote:

1.) "'Round Midnight"-Miles Davis

2.) "Meeting of the Spirits"-John McLaughlin/Mahavishnu Orchestra

3.) "Satch's Boogie"-Joe Satriani

4.) "Race with the Devil"-Al DiMeola

5.) "Birdland"-Weather Report

6.) "Medley-*Crow River Waltz

                  *Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

                  *Jack Fig (Leo Kottke/My Feet Are Smiling)

---

Nice list! You must be a guitar player

[jm2422]

You got me pegged.  A hot rodded black Gibson 335 is my instrument of choice.

[ds30055407]

Guitar? Let's not forget Mason Williams', "Classical Gas!

[Cirice]

My favorite instrumentals?  Anything and everything Buckethead

This is Soothsayer

[tsrcramer]

"Pink Panther" - Henry Mancini. Who can listen to this fun song and not smile.

"Grazin' In The Grass" - Hugh Masekela. Huge hit and great rock/jazz fusion.

"Samba Pa Ti" - Santana. Soothing song with Santana's great guitar work (as usual).

"Wipe Out" - The Safaries. The drum work that everybody was trying to tap out. (Okay, it has two words at the beginning: "Wipe Out".)

[averygreenleaf]

Anything by Mozart

[edwardh164355]

"TAKE FIVE"... Dave Brubeck

"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida ....Iron Butterfly

[jm2422]

1.) Leo Kottke-"My Feet Are Smiling"-the entire album!!

2.) John Coltrane-"My Favorite Things"

3.) "Take Five"-Dave Brubeck Quartet