instrumental phrase

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "instrumental phrase" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to music, linguistics, or any field where a phrase serves a functional or supportive role. Example: "In the composition, the instrumental phrase provides a beautiful backdrop to the vocal melody."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I also want them to consider the musical phrase as an instrumental phrase, with all the inflections you can get out of it when you are an instrumentalist or an accomplished singer, but which most choruses don't get to, I feel".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Lt. Col. Seth Read, who served under John Paterson at Bunker Hill, went on to settle Geneva, New York and Erie, Pennsylvania, and was said to have been instrumental in the phrase E pluribus unum being added to U.S. coins.

Wikipedia

Because of this instrumental approach, some phrases lie oddly in the voice and fail to "sound" as well as one would expect.

The New York Times - Arts

In addition, melodic phrasing and instrumental accompaniment may be deliberately out of step a displacement technique described in 1952 by American anthropologist Richard Waterman as "offbeat phrasing of melodic accents".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. McCloud is also the group's singer, and he often alternated sung phrases with instrumental stabs.

The New York Times - Arts

Ms. Höglund took a turn with the book during a Corelli sonata presented as an instrumental interlude, flipping through phrases like silent-movie caption cards.

The New York Times - Arts

Mann, in his Manhattan School workshops, urged participants to breathe life into the notation, to treat the instrumental lines as vocal phrases.

The New Yorker

Moreover, as a wave of young instrumentalists including virtuoso performers on piano, flute, saxophone and trumpet brought the phrasing and instrumental articulation of Cuban and Puerto Rican motifs and melodies to the music, the style's earlier dependence on percussionists began to diminish.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In his compositions and his arrangements of other Argentine tunes, the melodies are magnified and illuminated, with shifting instrumental combinations to reconfigure each phrase.

The New York Times - Arts

Not just her, but her band, and especially its pianist, Aaron Diehl, who connected with the spirit of her phrasing to lead into solos or instrumental arrangements, improvising in quiet, articulated phrases or eccentric waves of chords accenting the weak beats.

The New York Times - Arts

When websites started blocking links connecting to their content and companies began walling off more of their data to non-members, the development community became instrumental in making openness an empty phrase.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing music or composition, use "instrumental phrase" to highlight the role of a specific musical passage without vocals. For example, "The flute introduced a delicate instrumental phrase."

Common error

Avoid using "instrumental phrase" when simply referring to any phrase within a piece of music that involves instruments. Reserve it for instances where the phrase's specific function or impact within the composition is being emphasized. Use "musical phrase" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "instrumental phrase" functions as a noun phrase, where "instrumental" acts as an adjective modifying "phrase". It defines the phrase's characteristic as being related to instruments, typically in music. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

30%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instrumental phrase" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a segment of music played by instruments, often to emphasize its role within a composition. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. Its usage, though not very common, appears mainly in neutral contexts like news media and encyclopedias. When using the phrase, remember to reserve it for instances where highlighting the instrument-driven nature and its function in the music is crucial. Alternatives like "functional phrase" might be more appropriate depending on the context. The analysis indicates that while understood and correct, the phrase is specific and not as broadly applied as simpler terms like "musical phrase".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

functional phrase

Emphasizes the role or purpose of the phrase.

contributing phrase

Highlights the phrase's contribution to a larger whole.

essential phrase

Stresses the necessity of the phrase.

key phrase

Indicates the phrase's importance or centrality.

significant phrase

Highlights the noteworthiness of the phrase.

effective phrase

Focuses on the phrase's success in achieving a specific outcome.

operative phrase

Suggests the phrase is actively influencing something.

implemental phrase

Implies the phrase aids in the implementation of a process.

useful expression

Emphasizes practicality and value of expression.

supportive phrase

Emphasizes the role of supporting something else.

FAQs

How to use "instrumental phrase" in a sentence?

You can use "instrumental phrase" to describe a specific part of a musical composition played by instruments, such as: "The composer used a recurring instrumental phrase to unify the different movements of the symphony."

What can I say instead of "instrumental phrase"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "functional phrase", "key phrase", or "significant phrase".

When is it appropriate to use "instrumental phrase"?

Use "instrumental phrase" when you want to emphasize the functional role of a musical phrase played by instruments within a larger composition or musical piece. It's suitable when the phrase contributes significantly to the overall effect or structure.

What's the difference between "musical phrase" and "instrumental phrase"?

"Musical phrase" is a general term for any short passage of music, while "instrumental phrase" specifically refers to a musical passage performed by instruments without vocals. All instrumental phrases are musical phrases, but not all musical phrases are instrumental.