[2026] Masterpieces of instrumental music. Recommended instrumental tracks.

BuleriasPaco de Lucia

Volar (Bulería)

Flamenco is a dance music form composed of three elements: song (cante), dance (baile), and guitar (guitarra).

Its musical forms follow set patterns, and bulería is one of the most famous forms within flamenco.

Paco de Lucía is, needless to say, a legendary flamenco guitarist.

Manha De CarnavalStan Getz

Stan Getz – Manha De Carnaval

The theme song that Brazilian composer Luiz Bonfá wrote for the film Black Orpheus is Morning of the Carnival.

The piece became immensely popular and is now one of the most famous Brazilian songs.

This is a performance by Stan Getz, a jazz player who favored bossa nova.

falkorCovet

Covet – falkor (full band playthrough)

Tapping is a special technique for stringed instruments like guitar and bass, where the right hand—normally used with a pick—takes on the left hand’s role of fretting the strings.

Covet is the band led by the rising star guitarist Yvette Young, who wields this technique with effortless control.

Among their songs, Falkor stands out as a highly recommended track for instrumental beginners: instead of flaunting technique, it focuses on an accessible melodic line.

It’s a gentle sound that’s also great for those who find guitar instrumentals too intense.

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Yuuki

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Victory DanceEzra Collective

Ezra Collective – Victory Dance (Official Video)

Some of you might feel that jazz is a bit intimidating and an old kind of music.

But jazz is very much alive today, and beyond its American roots, the UK in particular has seen a uniquely vibrant jazz scene emerging in recent years—well worth your attention.

Leading the charge is Ezra Collective, a London-based jazz band that has been a driving force in the scene.

Their track “Victory Dance” is the lead single from their 2022 album “Where I’m Meant To Be,” and its sound—showing a clear love for Latin music—creates a hot groove that’s perfect for summer nights.

Their jazz is incredibly danceable, so if you’re looking for jazz as dance music, this is a must-listen!

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KOH-1

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Holy Diver (Dio Cover)Paul Gilbert

Paul Gilbert — “Holy Diver” | Live at Sweetwater

Paul Gilbert, who has been active as a super guitarist in bands like Mr.

Big and Racer X and continues to energetically release work as a solo artist, is also a great Japanophile and enjoys immense popularity in Japan.

His 2023 solo album, “The Dio Album,” as the title suggests, is a covers album of songs left by the legendary singer Ronnie James Dio.

Rather than featuring guest vocalists, Paul drew attention by pulling off the daring feat of recreating not only the riffs and solos but even the vocal melodies with his guitar.

The track featured here, “Holy Diver,” is a cover of the classic released by the heavy metal band DIO, and it brilliantly reproduces Ronnie’s magnificent vocals on guitar.

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Hooked on ClassicsRuisu Kurāku shiki Roiyaru Firuhāmonī Kangengakudan

Hooked on Classics

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in London in 1946, is one of the United Kingdom’s leading orchestras and is also known for collaborations and covers with rock and pop artists.

This piece, which arranges classical masterpieces in a rock style and presents them as a medley, became a major hit in 1981, reaching No.

10 on the U.S.

charts.

That year saw a “medley boom,” exemplified by Stars on 45 hitting No.

1 in the summer with a Beatles medley, and this release benefited from that tailwind.

Across the album as a whole, more than 100 classical masterpieces are recorded as medleys set to a lively beat.

While it was easy to listen to and well received by listeners unfamiliar with classical music, there were also rumors that it was not particularly well regarded among classical music fans.

NaadamShibusa Shirazu

Shibusashirazu Orchestra – Naadam @ Itadaki 2014

An avant-garde big band formed in 1989, centered around Daisuke Fuwa, with a rotating cast of various musicians and dancers.

While it’s categorized as jazz, at times it’s rock, at times Latin, and sometimes even has a chindon-ya street-band vibe—the group is bursting with festival energy.

With at least twice as many members as a typical band, their sound has an unparalleled sense of volume.