Instrumental music is composed with musical instruments without lyrics or vocals of any kind. The term instrumental music refers to modern instrumental music and is generally not classical.
Instrumental music lacks vocals and lyrics.
A musical composition that was originally recorded with vocals but later had the vocals removed to become a instrumental work is called a "-1" (pronounced “minus one”).
Musical works that are all instrumental except for brief vocals are also considered instrumentals. For example, “Wipeout,” “Tequila,” “The Hustle” and the “The Theme From Rocky” are considered instrumentals, though there are brief vocals in each.
Instrumental music is used by the entertainment industry in movies and television shows, but also can be heard in grocery stores, physician and dentist's offices, elevators, malls and on the telephone during periods of being on hold.
In the '80s, the music genre referred to as heavy metal introduced instrumental music to a generation that, until then, had very little exposure to it past elevator "muzak." Bands such as Metallica and solo artist Yngwie Malmsteen included instrumental tracks on their albums. "The Call of Ktulu" remains a concert favorite for Metallica fans, while Malmsteen's rendition of "Flight of the Bumble Bee" still amazes and confounds guitarists.
In the 20th and 21st centuries, instrumental music still has its place in society. Composers and performers such as Yanni, John Tesh, George Winston and Jan Hammer all have successful careers as instrumental artists. Bands such as Mannheim Steamroller and Trans-Siberian Orchestra take classical pieces and give them a modern spin.