How Releasing Instrumental Piano Music Changed My Career: Lessons Every Artist Can Learn

For years, I considered myself a songwriter, producer, and collaborator before anything else. I was focused on working with artists, building catalogs, pitching songs, and creating music designed for other people’s voices. But everything shifted when I started releasing instrumental piano music - something I originally saw as a side experiment, not a career-defining move.

What began as a creative outlet ended up becoming one of the smartest decisions I’ve ever made for my artistic growth, my income, and my long-term strategy in the music business. Here’s the story of how it happened, and why every musician should consider releasing instrumental work of their own.

1. It Helped Me Reconnect With Creativity - Without Pressure

Before releasing piano pieces, almost all my musical output had a purpose:

• writing for placements

• producing for artists

• creating with commercial potential

• meeting deadlines and delivering files

There wasn’t much room to just be creative.

Instrumental piano music changed that. Suddenly I was sitting at the keys with no expectations, no A&R notes, no references to match - just expression and the ability to freestyle piano melodies. That creative freedom reawakened my love for music in a way I hadn’t felt in years.

Lesson:
Instrumental music invites you to create without constraints. That kind of creative reset is invaluable for long-term artistry.

2. It Opened Up a Global Audience I Never Expected

Something wild happens with instrumental music:
It travels. Fast.

Because it isn’t tied to language, mood, or specific genres, it finds its way into:

• playlists

• study sessions

• YouTube channels

• background music for work and relaxation

People all around the world connected with my piano recordings in ways I never anticipated. Streams increased, followers grew, and suddenly my music was reaching listeners in dozens of countries.

Lesson:
Instrumental music has universal appeal and it can introduce your work to audiences you didn’t know were out there.

3. It Created New Revenue Streams I Was Overlooking

Publishing and royalties are at the core of what I do, but releasing instrumental piano music showed me how many income opportunities artists often ignore.

Piano music generates royalties from:

• streaming

• publishing

• performance royalties

• sync licensing

• background music libraries

• radio (especially international)

The best part?
Instrumental tracks often have extremely long lifespans. A piece of piano music can earn for years, because people use it daily - to study, sleep, focus, or relax.

Lesson:
Instrumental releases aren’t just artistic - they’re financially strategic. They’re one of the most consistent and evergreen forms of music income.

I collect my global publishing royalties through Elizabeth Music Group (If you release instrumental piano music and need a publisher to work with - reach out to the team!)

4. It Became a Bridge Into Sync Licensing

Music supervisors love instrumental tracks. They fit perfectly into film, TV, and branded content because they:

• leave room for dialogue

• create emotion without distracting lyrics

• are easy to edit, loop, and place

When I started releasing piano music, I unintentionally created a sync-friendly catalog. These tracks led to new conversations, new placements, and more attention from supervisors.

Lesson:
If sync is part of your long-term plan, instrumental music is one of the best ways to build a usable, pitch-ready catalog.

5. It Strengthened My Skills as a Composer and Producer

Producing instrumental piano tracks forced me to focus on:

• emotional storytelling

• dynamics

• simplicity

• sound selection

• mixing for intimacy and clarity

You learn quickly that with piano music, every note matters and every decision is felt.

This sharpened my skills across all genres. My pop, R&B, and hip-hop productions improved. My writing improved. My musical instincts became sharper and more intentional.

Lesson:

Instrumental composition strengthens your ear, your instincts, and your craftsmanship as a producer.

6. It Built a Catalog That Works for Me 24/7

One of the most powerful things about instrumental music is how evergreen it is. Trends change, but:

• beautiful melodies

• emotional chords

• calming piano

• nostalgic ambience

…never go out of style.

Even when I'm not promoting it, my piano catalog continues to grow, stream, and find new listeners daily.

Lesson:
Instrumental releases help you build a timeless catalog that pays you long after you finish creating.

7. It Led to Unexpected Opportunities and New Creative Worlds

Releasing piano music opened doors I never planned for:

• playlist placements

• collaborations with composers

• sync conversations

• a more global audience

• new fans discovering my non-instrumental work

What began as small experiment turned into a cornerstone of my career.

Lesson:
Sometimes the thing you create “just for you” becomes the thing that elevates your entire journey.

Final Thoughts: Every Artist Should Try This

Releasing instrumental piano music taught me this:

Sometimes the simplest music creates the biggest impact.

It helped me reconnect with creativity, opened new income streams, expanded my audience, and strengthened my identity as a musician and composer.

If you’re an artist, producer, or songwriter, I encourage you to create something purely instrumental - even if you never release it. And if you do release it, don’t be surprised if it becomes one of the most rewarding decisions you make.

I release piano music under multiple artist projects like Zach On The Keys, CalmingCat , byzach, and Prestige Magic.