How to Start Creating Music
First tip is to Listen, the more music you listen to the more inspiration you'll get, the more creative you can be., Choosing an instrument:Start with an instrument you like, don't look for "easy instruments", there is no such thing, any instrument...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: First tip is to Listen
I guess if you want to make music you already listen to loads, but diversity is another cool thing that will make your music more appealing and exciting, listen to as many genres and artists as you can, Listening to more music makes your mind ready and can help you complete a 3 note pattern to a riff, it greatly enhances your internal metronome which is one of the most important things a musician should have, also by having a broad musical knowledge, you can easily attract more audience as music is a matter of subconscious as it is a matter of emotions. so You need to get your subconscious musically adapted! -
Step 2: the more music you listen to the more inspiration you'll get
So Choose your instruments, Don't spend a lot of money, it's not wise to spend a lot on something that you may not want to continue, Set a budget, buy a nicely built affordable instrument , if you have a friend who plays that instrument you may want him\her to try it for you he\she can tell you if it has something wrong, research before buying, if you have a certain instrument that you like and suits your budget, keep on researching for days and weeks for more info , reviews, demos about it and it's alternatives, Google it, YouTube it, look it up at musical stores' websites, as much as you can, be patient so that you can be sure you've got the best that suits your budget and don't regret buying this and not buying that instead.Enjoy! ,, there are time when you'll feel that you are not progressing, all musicians have this feeling often, but don't let this get you down, listen to some music it may re inspire you to keep practicing! hang out with musicians go to concerts, watch videos of your favourite artist, it's all good to motivate you, just keep practicing, challenge yourself and try new ideas don't bore yourself you must enjoy it, isn't this your passion?! be sure that the more you work, the more you'll get in return. ,, 2- Try to have your own sound, meaning, when someone listens to your music he/she should be able to know that's this is yours..Create your own sound..but that comes later on and takes some time. ,, you can change the key of the song (you'll need to know more about key signatures) , change the beat....etc , the point is to experiment with it. ,,,, what you want to do now , is to give it a melody, descend and ascend with them words, if you can make a musical phrase with them....Great! just get them feel like a song to your ears. then you might want to experiment with a chord progression, find a one that suits these words and the mood you want them to sound like, Happy (major), Sad (minor). , Don't forget the hook, It's the part of the song that keeps on reminding you of the songs even when you're not listening to it, it can be vocals or an instrument that makes the hook. , -
Step 3: the more creative you can be.
-
Step 4: Choosing an instrument:Start with an instrument you like
-
Step 5: don't look for "easy instruments"
-
Step 6: there is no such thing
-
Step 7: any instrument requires frequent practice and study
-
Step 8: Choose the instrument that best suits the genre you want to go with
-
Step 9: Piano and Guitar are great for many genres and are very popular songwriting tools so you can easily find lessons online and start practicing (I'm a guitarist so maybe I'll be posting a guitar guide too).
-
Step 10: Learning Your Instrument:Learning a musical instrument is like anything
-
Step 11: It requires patience and the key to mastering it is nothing but Practice
-
Step 12: Practice as much as you can and if you practice daily for at least 15 minutes everyday you'll get better results than only practicing 3 hours one day and not practicing others
-
Step 13: so practice regularly.
-
Step 14: If you can afford to have a private teacher do it
-
Step 15: it the best thing as everyone can have a different experience with the instrument a teacher will prevent you from acquiring bad habits and can solve your problems
-
Step 16: Joining a music class is also a good choice
-
Step 17: You can also Look for lessons on the Internet
-
Step 18: make an email account (a precaution) and join free newsletters of sites that offer lessons for free
-
Step 19: read and watch
-
Step 20: if you can pay
-
Step 21: after checking the free lessons
-
Step 22: go with what you feel has best helped you
-
Step 23: one important thing.... NEVER GIVE UP!
-
Step 24: Now that You're Starting To Get Better At your instrument
-
Step 25: you want to start composing
-
Step 26: so I'll give you simple ideas to help you on your way.
-
Step 27: Two important things to know :1-when you create a song try to make it have a theme not just a mix of unrelated stuff.
-
Step 28: Composing Music By Ear:For some people It's hard to get all these music theory things memorized
-
Step 29: and if they already have a good ear for music
-
Step 30: what a person like them would do
-
Step 31: is to use this great tool (Their Trained Ears) To start making their tracks
-
Step 32: They may have a certain song idea
-
Step 33: riff or a chord progression in their minds
-
Step 34: they transfer it to the instrument
-
Step 35: and then continue building on it
-
Step 36: For some people this is easier than music theory
-
Step 37: It may not do well critically
-
Step 38: but it can be popular with listeners
-
Step 39: but even these composers know about music theory a good deal.
-
Step 40: Composing to another Song:If you listen to a song you like
-
Step 41: it could inspire you to make a song of your own
-
Step 42: It may give you a musical idea or a certain beat or melody to start with
-
Step 43: it's a very easy way to help you start making your first tracks
-
Step 44: just listen to the music and get inspired
-
Step 45: think of things you can add to it or a change you can make
-
Step 46: it may turn down a completely different song!
-
Step 47: Composing to a sample:You can find many online sites that offers samples or loops like a drum beat or a riff
-
Step 48: try some out maybe one of them can trigger your musical head to action!
-
Step 49: Composing to a riff:Scales are the best ways to make riffs
-
Step 50: if you jam with a scale you can come up with a riff
-
Step 51: then use this riff as the base for your song
-
Step 52: many artist make riff based songs
-
Step 53: especially rock artists
-
Step 54: even hip hop can contain a repeated guitar riff or bass loop.. try it.
-
Step 55: Composing to a Scene or a situation:Imagine you were asked to make the soundtrack for a movie
-
Step 56: and then imagine that movie
-
Step 57: the scenes
-
Step 58: the story
-
Step 59: the atmosphere
-
Step 60: what kind of feel does it give you?
-
Step 61: try to express that in music..
-
Step 62: Composing by Lyrics:If you experienced a situation that you want to express
-
Step 63: write it
-
Step 64: then rewrite it but try to get it more into phrases and try to make these phrases equal in length (musically) then you can try to put similar ending words...that's it
-
Step 65: you have a basic lyric form!
-
Step 66: Building it Up:Now that you have some ideas
-
Step 67: start thinking of the song's structure
-
Step 68: the very basic can be intro
-
Step 69: chorus
-
Step 70: chorus
-
Step 71: bridge or solo
-
Step 72: chorus
-
Step 73: outro You can make it even simpler
-
Step 74: be creative
-
Step 75: you can make a song with no chorus
-
Step 76: give it a strong structure
-
Step 77: if you feel a part is weakening the song
-
Step 78: remove it
-
Step 79: add bridges and mini bridges
-
Step 80: some variations of the verse and chorus will make it more exciting
-
Step 81: the small things can be greatly useful
-
Step 82: some mini riffs and melodies makes it more emotional.
-
Step 83: Keep it simple
-
Step 84: Your composing abilities will get better by trying and listening.
Detailed Guide
I guess if you want to make music you already listen to loads, but diversity is another cool thing that will make your music more appealing and exciting, listen to as many genres and artists as you can, Listening to more music makes your mind ready and can help you complete a 3 note pattern to a riff, it greatly enhances your internal metronome which is one of the most important things a musician should have, also by having a broad musical knowledge, you can easily attract more audience as music is a matter of subconscious as it is a matter of emotions. so You need to get your subconscious musically adapted!
So Choose your instruments, Don't spend a lot of money, it's not wise to spend a lot on something that you may not want to continue, Set a budget, buy a nicely built affordable instrument , if you have a friend who plays that instrument you may want him\her to try it for you he\she can tell you if it has something wrong, research before buying, if you have a certain instrument that you like and suits your budget, keep on researching for days and weeks for more info , reviews, demos about it and it's alternatives, Google it, YouTube it, look it up at musical stores' websites, as much as you can, be patient so that you can be sure you've got the best that suits your budget and don't regret buying this and not buying that instead.Enjoy! ,, there are time when you'll feel that you are not progressing, all musicians have this feeling often, but don't let this get you down, listen to some music it may re inspire you to keep practicing! hang out with musicians go to concerts, watch videos of your favourite artist, it's all good to motivate you, just keep practicing, challenge yourself and try new ideas don't bore yourself you must enjoy it, isn't this your passion?! be sure that the more you work, the more you'll get in return. ,, 2- Try to have your own sound, meaning, when someone listens to your music he/she should be able to know that's this is yours..Create your own sound..but that comes later on and takes some time. ,, you can change the key of the song (you'll need to know more about key signatures) , change the beat....etc , the point is to experiment with it. ,,,, what you want to do now , is to give it a melody, descend and ascend with them words, if you can make a musical phrase with them....Great! just get them feel like a song to your ears. then you might want to experiment with a chord progression, find a one that suits these words and the mood you want them to sound like, Happy (major), Sad (minor). , Don't forget the hook, It's the part of the song that keeps on reminding you of the songs even when you're not listening to it, it can be vocals or an instrument that makes the hook. ,
About the Author
Anna White
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in DIY projects and beyond.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: