How do you feel about long instrumental solos?

[killamch89]

I’ve always been torn about long instrumental solos in music. On one hand, they can showcase a musician's skill and bring a song to another level. On the other, sometimes they feel like they drag on without adding much to the overall vibe. What do you think? Do you enjoy them, or do you feel they break up the flow of the song? Are there specific genres or songs where they work better?

[Shortie]

I don't mind some long instrumental solos, some of them can be amazing to listen to and the talent from the musician playing the instrumental is always amazing to see. 

The only time I would be against long solo instrumentals is if that part of the song was quite long and very repetitive. 

[killamch89]

A well-crafted instrumental solo tells a story without words, building tension and release that vocals sometimes can't achieve. When I listen to Gilmour's work on 'Comfortably Numb,' I hear narrative arcs and emotional transitions that lyrics would only constrain. That said, self-indulgent noodling without purpose quickly loses my interest.

[Ja sa bong]

Honestly, I love long instrumental solos. They are my best for songs to play whenever I want to sleep. It's why I love listening to Yanni so much.