The rise of AI in creative fields has opened up exciting possibilities for musicians and lyricists alike. With tools like AI music generators and AI song generators becoming more sophisticated, there’s a growing buzz about what AI can offer to the world of music. As a lyricist, I’ve explored various ways AI can enhance my creative process without replacing the artistry behind it. Here’s how I approach making music with AI.
- AI as a Genre Evaluator
While I don’t use AI to generate lyrics, I do leverage its ability to evaluate my work. One of the challenges as a lyricist is ensuring that the tone, phrasing, and themes align with the intended genre. AI tools can analyze lyrics and provide feedback on how well they fit within the conventions of country, rock, or other genres. This helps fine-tune my writing to resonate with the target audience.
- AI as a Thesaurus
Sometimes, finding the right word or phrase to capture a feeling can be a challenge. AI acts as a dynamic thesaurus, offering synonyms and alternative phrasing to enhance lyric quality. By using tools to generate ideas or expand vocabulary, I can refine lyrics while staying true to my creative vision.
- AI for Generating Vibes and Matching Genres
For musicians looking to experiment with sounds and vibes, tools like Suno allow you to generate songs tailored to specific genres or moods. For example, if I’m crafting lyrics for a country ballad, I can use AI to create a backing track that captures the emotional tone I’m aiming for. It’s important to note that I use these AI-generated songs purely for personal inspiration or testing—not for pitching, distribution, or monetization.
- The Power of Detailed Prompts
The key to unlocking AI’s potential lies in the details. Writing detailed prompts is crucial for getting the desired output. Experimenting with word choice, tweaking a few key details, and testing variations can significantly influence the results. For instance, specifying “a melancholic folk melody” versus “a nostalgic acoustic tune” can lead to dramatically different outputs. Have fun experimenting—you might discover something unexpected that sparks new ideas.
- Balancing Creativity and AI Assistance
Using AI doesn’t mean handing over the reins to technology. It’s about enhancing creativity by providing tools that support the creative process. As a lyricist, I value the authenticity of human expression. AI serves as a collaborator, not a replacement.
Final Thoughts
Making music with AI, when used thoughtfully, can complement a musician’s creative journey. From evaluating lyrics to generating genre-specific vibes, AI offers endless possibilities for experimentation and inspiration. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or just starting out, embracing AI can unlock new levels of creativity while keeping your artistic integrity intact. Remember: the magic lies in finding the balance between technology and the human touch. Happy creating!
making music with ai – in practice
Here’s an example music creation prompt for a lyric I wrote titled, “Outside River Bend” and output using suno.com
Prompt: Blend of Americana and soft pop rock style starts with mellow acoustic guitar, before picking up momentum to mid tempo chorus with strong bass and drums.
For more music created with AI as well as some real demos check out the demos page here: https://backthistruckup.com/demos/