The Most Well Known Instrumental Songs

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

A list of well known instrumental songs that have been popular over the years.

Introduction

Instrumental songs are those that do not contain any vocals. This can include songs with just instrumental accompaniment, or completely instrumental songs. Often, these types of songs are used as background music, or for studying and concentration. Regardless of the reason why you enjoy listening to them, there are many great instrumental songs out there. This list contains some of the most well known and popular ones.

A Brief History of the Instrumental Song

The instrumental song has been around for centuries, and some of the most popular songs in history have been instrumentals.

One of the earliest examples is “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel, which was composed in the early 1700s. While it was originally written for three violins and a basso continuo, it has since been adapted for a wide variety of instruments and ensembles. It remains one of the most popular pieces of classical music to this day.

Other well-known instrumental songs include “The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin, “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin, and “Auld Lang Syne” by Traditional. These pieces have all stood the test of time and remain some of the most popular songs in the world.

Instrumental songs continue to be popular to this day, and there are many new pieces being composed all the time. Whether you’re a fan of classical music or modern pop, there’s an instrumental song out there for everyone to enjoy.

The Most Well Known Instrumental Songs

There are countless songs that we all know and love, but what about the ones that don’t have any words? That’s right, instrumental songs. These are the kind of songs that can be found in movies, TV shows, and video games. They’re the ones that get stuck in our head and we can’t help but hum along. But what are the most well known instrumental songs?

“Für Elise” by Ludwig van Beethoven

“Für Elise” is one of the most well known classical pieces ever written. It was composed by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1810, and revised in 1811. The piece is in the key of A minor and is in 3/8 time. The title “Für Elise” translates to “For Elise”, and though it is not known for certain who Elise was, it is thought that she was a young piano student of Beethoven’s who he may have been in love with.

The piece begins with an A minor arpeggio, followed by a phrase which outlines a D7 chord. The left hand then plays a series of ascending broken chords, before the right hand comes in with the melody. After the first section, there is a repeated section which features some slight variations. The piece then concludes with an ascending scale played by the right hand, before coming to a final chord.

Though “Für Elise” is one of Beethoven’s most well known pieces, it was actually not published until 40 years after his death, in 1865. It has since become a standard repertoire piece for many pianists, and has been adapted for other instruments such as guitar and violin.

“The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin

Scott Joplin’s “The Entertainer” is a classical ragtime piece,written in 1902. It was one of the first compositions to be syncopated, or have an irregular rhythm. The song became famous after it was used in the 1973 film “The Sting”, starring Robert Redford and Paul Newman. The popularity of the film helped to revive interest in ragtime music, which had fallen out of favor since the early 20th century. “The Entertainer” has since become one of the most well-known and widely-played pieces of American music.

“Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin

“Rhapsody in Blue” is a 1924 composition by George Gershwin for solo piano and jazz band that combines elements of classical music with jazz. Duke Ellington once said, “It’s got everything in it. It’s like sitting down and having a talk with George Gershwin.”

The piece was originally commissioned by bandleader Paul Whiteman for his experimental jazz band, the Palais Royal Orchestra. It was premiered at Aeolian Hall in New York City on February 12, 1924, and was an immediate sensation.

Gershwin wrote the piece in three weeks at his home in Manhattan. He scored it for piano, clarinet, and trumpets, with additional parts for saxophones, trombones, and drums. The original orchestration included a section for ad-lib improvising that was later dropped from the score.

“Rhapsody in Blue” has been widely performed and recorded by many artists over the years. It remains one of Gershwin’s best-known works and is considered one of the most important pieces of American music of the 20th century.

“The Rite of Spring” by Igor Stravinsky

“The Rite of Spring” by Igor Stravinsky is one of the most well known and influential pieces of music ever written. It was first performed in 1913 and caused a riot due to its controversial and avant-garde style. The work is now seen as a masterpiece of 20th century music.

“The Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi

“The Four Seasons” is one of the most popular and well-known instrumental pieces ever written. It was composed by Antonio Vivaldi in 1723 and is a set of four violin concertos that represent the seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The concertos are incredibly popular and are some of the most frequently performed works in the classical music repertoire.

Conclusion

Instrumentals are a great way to make any event more special. Whether it’s a wedding, a party, or just a relaxing evening at home, the right instrumental song can create the perfect mood.

There are many different types of instrumental music, from classical to Jazz to rock. Whether you’re looking for something relaxing or upbeat, there’s an instrumental song out there that will fit your mood.

Below is a list of some of the most well-known instrumental songs. While this is by no means an exhaustive list, it should give you a good starting point in your search for the perfect instrumental song.

“A Day in the Life” by The Beatles
“Gymnopedie No. 1” by Erik Satie
“The Entertainer” by Scott Joplin
“Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin
“Thelonious” by Monk
“Sweet Georgia Brown”
“Take Five” by Dave Brubeck
“Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles
“Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony”
“Sakura Sakura (Cherry Blossom)”

Similar Posts