Def Leppard's Disintegrate ~_~ Convince me otherwise(please)

[rubyeye]

This instrumental rocker was the first thing I used when learning the layout of my video editing suite. But every now and then I get an itch to try an instumental, and this is the only thing I have that's "adaptable" to use in a music video format. Trouble is, besides lack of any visual ideas beyond *Bubblegum Crisis 2040*, review after review I find has people say they are sick and tired of Instrumentals (or just not really into it).

Is that really the case with listeners today? Instrumental songs just don't cut it? They work fine for trailers (Kiddy Grade - case in point). But for a "music video"?

Would anybody else use this song for an AMV idea?

[Otohiko]

Yes; although I'm not a massive Leppard fan.

I don't see the problem; perhaps it's my own musical niche, but instrumentals actually interest me more, not less than vocal songs (both for watching and AMV ideas). The rock instrumental is a musical staple for me.

I'd say, go for it. I mean, especially with an experienced creator like yourself, there shouldn't be much of a problem. Myself, once I get good, I think I'll find it hard in the future to do something that is NOT instrumental.

[Flint the Dwarf]

I love instrumentals. I couldn't ever get tired of a well done instrumental. And the great thing about them is that you aren't restricted by lyrics. I say go for it. I'm not much of a Leppard fan, but I'd definitely watch it.

[rubyeye]

>_< *crap* I should have moved this under the suggestion forum..... well, I got another one there to "suggest".

[mexicanjunior]

Use "Photograph" or "Rock of Ages" instead.

[Kaji01]

Since we're on the subject of instrumentals, does anyone here have any suggestions on good ways to tackle them? I've done some decent work on the solos for the two videos I've put out so far, but there's a big difference between continuing a theme during a 45-second interlude and coming up with an entirely original theme that can stand on it's own across a period of (in the case of rock instrumentals) 5-7 minutes or more. Every time I've sat down to work out an idea for an instrumental I can come up with an idea of what to do for it, but I can't plot it out worth anything because there is so little to use to mark waypoints along the way (ie. how you can base it on timestamps and lyrics for most songs). Thoughts?

[Kai Stromler]

Every time I've sat down to work out an idea for an instrumental I can come up with an idea of what to do for it, but I can't plot it out worth anything because there is so little to use to mark waypoints along the way (ie. how you can base it on timestamps and lyrics for most songs). Thoughts?

It's pretty simple to translate your 'regular' process to instrumentals if you can get ahold of the idea that the voice is just another instrrument. Vocalists hit notes, use phrasing, and everything else just like any other instrument; the only difference is that the 'meaning' of their waveforms is a little more set and more transparent for most people.

You've still got stuff to timestamp on and build meaning out of, and probably more than with a vocal piece. With no vocals, there's a greater pressure on the original band to produce interesting and varied riffs, changes, and lines. Unless you're working with someone totally clueless, like, say, Kenny G, for whom an 'instrumental' really is just a sustained solo, there are going to be different ideas involved at different places, and those ideas are going to be crafted together in a coherent fashion.

I've done a couple instrumental vids, but for guidance I'd much rather point you at Metallica's "Orion" and "Call of Ktulu" as how to listen to instrumentals for structure. Both of these pieces show clearly Cliff Burton's classical training in their structures as well as the young James Hetfield's ability to come up with unique and interesting riffage.

This is an example of a music-driven instrumental video that tries to work out a deeper theme; unfortunately it's too closely tied to the music and goes bending off at a strange angle when the song changes. This one tells its story better, but it's not as ambitious. Sorry for just linking my own stuff; others may wish to link in examples that are actually good.

And back on main topic: people who don't like instrumentals don't actually listen to music. The populist in me says that we ought to reach out to such people, but the elitist in me says I don't want the attention of someone who can't feel the emotion in a line when it's strings producing it rather than vocal cords. As good as you are, you should be able to prodi`uce a video that will win people over, regardless of whether or not there's anyone singing in the audio track.

--K

[Flint the Dwarf]

Well you can check out the instrumental in my sig (What Romance Entails). I think I pulled it off nicely, but the editing was a little choppy in a few parts. The story, however, is all there and I think it's very coherent though it has usually taken a second watch for most people.