11 Instrumental interludes

The opening discussion of ‘Midnight Special’ also introduced the instrumental interlude, which can be understood as a break from the vocal material of a song. Interludes are often opportunities for instrumental soloists to step into the spotlight; certain varieties are so well-established they have their own names (e.g. the guitar or saxophone solo).

Like introductions, interludes are often based on musical material from other parts of a song. In ‘Midnight Special’, interludes and introduction alike are textless versions of the chorus. For this reason, the designation ‘based on chorus’ has been incorporated at several points in Table 7. You can listen to your recording of the song again to confirm the relationship between the interlude and the chorus: do this in the same way as with the introduction, by singing or saying the words of the chorus during the interludes.

There are two instrumental interludes in the second half of ‘Be My Baby’ (Covach, 2005, pp. 71–2). As Table 8 shows, the first begins immediately after the second chorus and is based on the verse. The second is shorter and simpler, but no less effective. Almost all of the musicians drop out, and the simple rhythmic pattern that opened the song is heard again. A few seconds later, the chorus bursts in at full volume and takes the listener through to the end of the piece.