INSTRUMENTAL INQUISITION!

Guitar instrumentals have supplied some of music’s most evocative moments. Jason Sidwell asks top guitarists for their take on this iconic movement. This month: one half of the guitar duo that fronts Polyphia.

GT: What is it about guitar instrumentals that appeals to you?

SLP: As a guitarist I have a bias towards guitar-centric instrumental music, but I always find myself focusing on the expression of notes. I’m a bit of an overanalyser, so when I listen to instrumentals I focus a lot on those long, drawn-out notes that have tons of emotion. I also love those really tasteful phrases that you get out of guitar instrumentals, like anything you’d hear Jakub Zytecki play.

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

SLP: I think it’s important to note that music with vocals is just in an entirely different realm compared to instrumental music. Obviously I love working with both, but there are things that you can do in each that just feel right or appropriate. For example, I probably wouldn’t try and write a ton of crazy fast notes all over a song where vocals are the focus, because it would just be too much. Same thing with instrumental music - maybe you wouldn’t write something that has too simple a guitar part because then it would feel empty. To me it’s really all about serving the song the best you can.

GT: Any tendencies with instrumentals that you like to embrace or avoid?

SLP: I really love things that groove well - things that you can bob your head to and make a stank face. The rhythmic aspect of a song is crucial for this obviously, and I guess what I try to avoid would be anything that clashes with the proper flow of the rhythm. Sometimes it takes me weeks or even months of coming back to an idea before it feels right. In that case it usually works well for me to come back to it with fresh ears after not having heard it for a while, and sometimes the right thing to do just clicks.