5 Reasons Why Producers Should Release Instrumental Music

In today’s music economy, producers have more opportunities than ever to build real, sustainable income streams without relying solely on artists, labels, or placements. One of the most overlooked paths is releasing instrumental music and for many producers, it ends up becoming their most consistent and profitable lane.

I’ve experienced this firsthand. Under multiple instrumental aliases - SleepingShark, Relax Vibes (LOFI), CoralCruise, I Wonder, Chill Rabbit (Ambient), and CalmingCats, Zach On The Keys, byzach (Piano)—I’ve built a catalog that has accumulated millions of streams across DSPs. All of that catalog is also published through my company Elizabeth Music Group, allowing me to collect my global publishing revenue with a transparent royalty portal and monthly publishing payouts every time I receive publishing royalties.

Here are five major reasons producers should strongly consider releasing instrumental music of their own:

1. Instrumentals Have High Streamability

Instrumental genres (LOFI, ambient, piano, chill beats) perform exceptionally well on streaming platforms because:

• They fit into lifestyle playlists (study, sleep, focus, meditation, reading).

• Fans listen for long periods of time, boosting your stream count.

• They aren’t tied to trends, meaning they age well.

My catalog under SleepingShark, Relax Vibes, Zach On The Keys, and CalmingCats continues to generate steady streams years after release.

As a producer releasing instrumental music, find and create genres that inspire you. It doesn’t have to be the genres I release in, make the kind of music that you enjoy to make and listen to. Creating music that feels authentic to you will allow you to release instrumental music consistently.

2. You Build a Catalog That Works for Sync Licensing

Brands, filmmakers, YouTubers, and editors constantly need clean background music. Instrumentals:

• Are easier to license (no vocal clearance issues).

• Fit almost any type of visual content.

• Can generate sync placements even years later.

Because I collect my publishing through Elizabeth Music Group, all my instrumental releases are properly registered, organized, and pitch-ready for sync opportunities.

3. You Can Expand Into Multiple Genres Without Confusing Fans

If you’re a producer, you probably make more than one style. Releasing instrumentals under different aliases lets you explore creatively while still building revenue. For example:

• SleepingShark / Relax Vibes – LOFI

• CoralCruise / I Wonder / Chill Rabbit – Ambient

• CalmingCats / Zach On The Keys / byzach – Piano

Each alias has its own aesthetic, vibe, and audience. This allows you to reach multiple markets simultaneously.

Instrumental music is the one of the only lanes where this type of multi-identity release strategy works perfectly.

4. You Maintain Control Over Your Career

When you release your own instrumentals, you have full control over your career.

• Master rights

• Publishing

• Royalties

• Licensing control

Through Elizabeth Music Group, I collect all the publishing on my instrumental catalog. That ensures:

• Every composition is registered properly

• Royalties flow correctly from DSPs, PROs, and YouTube

• I keep control of creative and sync decisions

Releasing your own instrumentals is one of the easiest ways to build a personal music catalog that grows in value over time.

5. Instrumentals Turn Your Production Skills Into a Business

Producers sometimes feel stuck waiting on artists or trying to chase placements. Instrumental releases flip that dynamic:

• Your beats become a product, not just a pitch

• You get paid without needing another person’s involvement

• You build momentum independently

• You develop a consistent fanbase that cares about your sound

I’ve made LOFI, ambient, and piano projects simply because I loved the sound and each became a small revenue ecosystem of its own. Instead of waiting for someone to “use” your beats, you release them, grow your audience, and monetize the music directly.

Final Thought: Instrumentals Are a Silent Gold Mine

Releasing instrumental music is one of the smartest moves a modern producer can make. The barriers are low, the demand is high, and the long-term financial upside is real.

If you’re a producer trying to build stability, a name for yourself, or a long-term catalog, consider following the blueprint:

• Explore multiple instrumental genres

• Release under different aliases

• Stay consistent with output

• Collect your publishing properly (like I do through Elizabeth Music Group)

• Build a catalog that earns forever

Your instrumentals could become one of your biggest long-term revenue streams - just like they have for me.