6.2 Creating Music
Have you ever hummed a melody in the shower and wished you could turn it into a real song? Or imagined what your favorite book would sound like as a film score? Or simply wanted to create background music for your videos or relaxation? Today, you can create original music even if you've never touched an instrument or studied music theory. AI music tools are democratizing music creation, making it accessible to everyone with a creative idea.
The AI Music Revolution: From Consumer to Creator
For centuries, creating music required years of training. You needed to learn an instrument, understand music theory, master notation, and develop technical skills. Today, AI is changing all that. Think of AI as your personal:
- Music Theory Tutor: Explaining concepts in simple terms
- Instrumentalist: Playing any instrument perfectly
- Co-Composer: Suggesting chord progressions and melodies
- Producer: Mixing and mastering your tracks
- Sound Designer: Creating unique sounds and textures
Key Insight: AI doesn't replace musical creativity—it makes the technical aspects accessible. You provide the vision, emotion, and direction; AI helps with execution. It's like having a studio full of musicians and producers who work for free and never get tired.
How AI Understands Music
AI music tools work similarly to the language models we've discussed. They've analyzed:
Training Data Includes:
• Millions of songs across all genres
• Sheet music and MIDI files showing musical patterns
• Music theory textbooks and tutorials
• Audio samples of every instrument
• Production techniques from professional recordings
From this data, AI learns patterns like:
- Which chords naturally follow each other
- How melodies typically develop
- What rhythms work for different genres
- How to create emotional tension and release
- Instrument combinations that sound good together
Getting Started: No Experience Needed
You can begin creating music with AI in three main ways:
1. Text-to-Music: Describe what you want in words
Example: "Create a peaceful piano melody for meditation"
Tools: AudioCraft, MusicLM, Mubert
2. AI-Assisted Composition: Start with your ideas, AI helps develop them
Example: Hum a melody, AI suggests chords and arrangement
Tools: Amper Music, AIVA, Soundraw
3. Music Generation from Parameters: Adjust sliders and settings
Example: Set mood: "energetic," genre: "synthwave," length: "2 minutes"
Tools: Boomy, Ecrett Music, Soundful
Your First AI Music Creation Session
Let's walk through creating your first piece:
- Choose Your Goal: Background for videos? Relaxation music? A complete song?
- Select a Tool: Start with a free option like Soundraw or Boomy
- Describe Your Vision: Be specific about mood, instruments, tempo
- Generate Options: Create multiple versions and choose your favorite
- Customize: Adjust elements you don't like
- Export: Download your creation (usually MP3 or WAV format)
Important: Most free AI music tools have limitations on commercial use. Always check the license terms if you plan to use the music in monetized videos, apps, or other commercial projects.
AI Music Creation by Skill Level
Different approaches work best for different experience levels:
Complete Beginner:
• Use text descriptions: "upbeat electronic music with synth sounds"
• Try genre templates: lo-fi hip hop, ambient, cinematic
• Start with background music rather than full compositions
• Focus on emotional words: "nostalgic," "hopeful," "tense"
Some Musical Knowledge:
• Reference existing songs: "like Taylor Swift but more electronic"
• Specify chord progressions: "I-IV-V in C major"
• Request specific song structures: verse-chorus-verse
• Ask for particular instruments: "add cello in the bridge"
Experienced Musician:
• Use AI for inspiration when stuck
• Generate variations on your themes
• Create backing tracks for practice
• Experiment with unusual instrument combinations
Specific Music Creation Tasks AI Can Help With
Here are concrete ways AI can assist your music creation:
Melody Generation:
• "Create a memorable melody for a pop song chorus"
• "Generate a sad violin melody in D minor"
• "Suggest variations on this melodic theme"
Chord Progressions:
• "What chords work with this melody?"
• "Suggest an unusual chord progression for jazz"
• "Create chord variations that add emotional depth"
Arrangement Help:
• "What instruments should I add in the second verse?"
• "How can I make the chorus sound bigger?"
• "Suggest counter-melodies for the bridge section"
Genre Transformation:
• "Make this melody sound like a film score"
• "Convert this idea into a reggae rhythm"
• "Create a lofi hip hop version of this chord progression"
Creating Complete Songs
Want to create a full song? Here's a step-by-step approach:
Song Creation Process:
1. Concept: "I want to create an uplifting pop song about new beginnings"
2. Structure: Ask AI for common pop song structures
3. Chord Progression: Generate options, choose one that fits the mood
4. Melody: Create a catchy melody for the chorus
5. Verses: Develop verse melodies that lead nicely to the chorus
6. Bridge: Create contrasting section for musical interest
7. Arrangement: Add drums, bass, and other instruments
8. Production: Adjust mixing and effects
Tools and Platforms: Free to Professional
Here's a guide to AI music tools at different levels:
Free/Entry Level:
• Soundraw: Royalty-free AI music with customization
• Boomy: Instant song creation, easy to use
• Mubert: AI-generated streams and tracks
• Google's MusicLM: Experimental text-to-music (when available)
Mid-Range/Subscription:
• AIVA: Professional AI composer, great for film/game music
• Amper Music: Now part of Shutterstock, good for content creators
• Ecrett Music: Simple interface with good results
• Soundful: Genre templates with customization
Advanced/Professional:
• OpenAI's Jukebox: Generates music with vocals (when available)
• Google's Magenta: Open-source AI music tools for developers
• LANDR: Mastering and distribution with AI elements
• Output: AI-powered sound design and instruments
Integrating AI with Traditional Tools
You don't have to choose between AI and traditional music software. Many musicians use both:
- Generate ideas in AI tools, then develop in DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) like Ableton or FL Studio
- Use AI for specific elements (drum patterns, chord suggestions) while playing other parts yourself
- Create AI backing tracks to practice improvisation over
- Use AI mastering services to polish your finished tracks
Overcoming Creative Blocks with AI
Every musician hits creative walls. AI can help break through:
When You're Stuck:
• "Suggest 5 unexpected directions for this song"
• "Generate chord progressions I wouldn't normally try"
• "Create variations that change the emotional tone"
• "What would this sound like in a different genre?"
For Inspiration:
• "Create music that sounds like walking through Tokyo at night"
• "Generate a theme for a sci-fi hero's journey"
• "What would anxiety sound like as music?"
• "Create music based on this painting description"
The "AI as Creative Spark" Method
Try this approach: Use AI to generate 10 completely different 30-second musical ideas. Listen to all of them. One will spark something in you—a feeling, an image, a memory. Take that spark and develop it using your own creativity, with AI assisting when needed.
Ethical and Legal Considerations
Important issues to understand:
Copyright and Ownership:
• Most AI music platforms retain some rights
• Commercial use often requires special licenses
• Some platforms offer royalty-free music for specific uses
• Always read the terms of service carefully
Originality Concerns:
• AI music can sometimes sound similar to its training data
• For truly original work, customize and combine AI outputs
• Add your own musical elements whenever possible
Disclosure Requirements:
• Some platforms require attribution
• Music contests may have AI use policies
• Commercial clients might want to know about AI involvement
Learning Music Theory Through AI
One of AI's hidden benefits: it can teach you music as you create:
Educational Prompts:
• "Explain why these chords work well together"
• "What music theory concept makes this melody catchy?"
• "How could I make this progression more sophisticated?"
• "What scales work with these chords?"
• "Teach me about song structure through examples"
The Feedback Loop of Learning
As you create with AI, you'll naturally learn:
- You ask for "sad music" → AI creates minor key piece
- You notice the pattern → Ask AI to explain minor keys
- You understand the concept → Request variations using that knowledge
- Your requests become more sophisticated → Your music improves
Practical Projects to Try
Ready to create? Here are beginner-friendly projects:
Project 1: Video Background Music
1. Describe your video's mood and content
2. Generate 30-60 seconds of music
3. Adjust tempo and instrumentation to match video cuts
4. Export and add to your video editor
Project 2: Personal Theme Song
1. Think about your personality traits
2. Describe them musically: "confident but thoughtful, with moments of playfulness"
3. Generate options, choose your favorite
4. Use as phone ringtone or personal soundtrack
Project 3: Soundtrack for a Book Scene
1. Pick a favorite scene from a book
2. Describe the emotions and action
3. Create music that enhances the reading experience
4. Share with book club or fellow fans
The Future of AI Music Creation
Exciting developments are coming:
- Personal Style Learning: AI that learns your musical preferences and creates in your style
- Real-time Collaboration: Jamming with AI that responds to your playing
- Emotion-to-Music: Creating music that matches your current emotional state
- Multi-modal Creation: Drawing shapes that become melodies, writing text that becomes songs
- AI Music Teachers: Personalized lessons based on your creations
The Human Element in AI Music
Despite AI's capabilities, human input remains essential for:
Emotional Depth: AI can mimic emotions but doesn't feel them
Cultural Context: Understanding the meaning behind musical choices
Intentional Breaking of Rules: Sometimes the "wrong" note is right
Personal Expression: Music as autobiography requires human experience
Audience Connection: Knowing what will resonate with listeners
Common Questions and Concerns
Let's address frequent worries:
Q: Will AI put musicians out of work?
A: AI is a tool, not a replacement. Just as digital audio didn't replace musicians but changed how they work, AI creates new opportunities while automating some tasks.
Q: Is AI music "real" music?
A: If it evokes emotion and communicates something, it's real music. The tool used doesn't determine artistic validity.
Q: Can I claim AI music as my own creation?
A: This depends on your contribution level and the platform's terms. Generally, significant customization and creative direction make it your work.
Q: Will everything start to sound the same?
A: Not if creators use AI as a starting point rather than final product. Your unique input prevents homogenization.
Getting Started Today
Your first AI music creation session:
1. Choose a Free Tool: Soundraw or Boomy are great starting points
2. Start Simple: "Create 1 minute of relaxing piano music"
3. Listen and Learn: Notice what you like and don't like
4. Customize: Ask for changes: "make it sadder," "add strings"
5. Save and Share: Download and play for a friend
The most important step is to begin. Don't worry about creating a masterpiece. Create something. Then create something else. Each creation teaches you more about both music and how to work with AI as your creative partner.
In our next article, we'll explore how AI can help in the kitchen—creating personalized recipes, suggesting meal plans, and even helping you become a better cook through intelligent guidance and inspiration.
Final Thought: Music is humanity's oldest form of expression. For millennia, it required specialized skills and tools. Today, for the first time in history, anyone with an idea can create music. AI hasn't diminished music's magic—it's made that magic accessible to everyone. Your musical ideas matter. Now you have the tools to bring them to life.