Q: do you think instrumental music can convey as much (or in some cases more) emotional impact or story to the listener as music with lyrics? i think it's a little sad that most people are aversive to listening to instrumentals by themselves.
A: music without words, scenes, or any other context, works mostly on your feelings and emotions, in a way that can be difficult to grasp if there's nothing to hold onto. it's extremely powerful, but it needs something to hold it. words can do this, scenes can do this, almost anything the music is attached to, can help hold the music and put it into context, and activate all of its power. and, at the same time, the music will greatly enhance the power of the thing it's attached to. Think of it like this: music is the beverage. the context/words/scene is the cup. imagine a beverage with no cup. same beverage...... undrinkable. Also, a cup without a beverage can be pretty bland also. Instead of being disappointed about this, i think you'll find it extremely rewarding to become a cupsmith. you'll be doing wonders for all different kinds of music, and cups as well. it's a win-win