Creating great AI music starts with great prompts. After analyzing thousands of successful tracks on SUMO, we've identified the key patterns that lead to the best results.
1. Start with Genre and Mood
Always begin your prompt by establishing the foundational elements:
✅ "Upbeat indie pop song with..."
✅ "Dark atmospheric trap beat featuring..."
✅ "Smooth jazz ballad with a melancholic feel..."
This gives the AI a clear starting point for all other musical decisions.
2. Layer in Instrumentation
Be specific about what instruments you want to hear:
Generic: "Rock song with guitars"
Specific: "Rock song with crunchy distorted electric guitars, punchy drums with tight snare, and a rumbling bass guitar"
The more detail you provide, the more control you have over the final sound.
3. Describe the Vocals
If you want lyrics, describe the vocal style:
- Voice characteristics: "raspy male vocals," "ethereal female voice," "powerful belting"
- Delivery: "whispered verses," "soaring chorus," "rhythmic rap flow"
- Effects: "reverb-drenched," "double-tracked," "auto-tuned"
4. Include Tempo and Energy
Help the AI understand the pace:
- Slow: ballad, downtempo, laidback (60-90 BPM)
- Medium: moderate, steady groove (90-120 BPM)
- Fast: upbeat, energetic, driving (120-180 BPM)
You don't need to specify exact BPM numbers—descriptive words work great!
5. Paint the Atmosphere
Use evocative language to set the scene:
- "Sun-soaked summer vibes with warm analog synths"
- "Dark and moody underground club atmosphere"
- "Dreamy bedroom pop with lo-fi tape saturation"
- "Epic cinematic orchestral with sweeping strings"
6. Reference Structure (When Needed)
For more complex songs, outline the arrangement:
"Starts with solo piano intro, builds with drums at verse 1, adds full band at chorus, strips back to vocals and guitar for bridge, then big final chorus with all instruments"
7. Use Production Terminology
If you know audio production, use technical terms:
- Mix: "wide stereo field," "punchy low-end," "present midrange"
- Effects: "heavy compression," "long reverb tail," "analog warmth"
- Processing: "sidechain pumping," "tape saturation," "vinyl crackle"
8. Avoid Contradictions
Make sure your descriptors work together:
❌ "Aggressive gentle lullaby" ❌ "Fast-paced relaxation meditation music" ✅ "Energetic but not aggressive pop-rock anthem" ✅ "Uplifting yet introspective indie folk"
9. Be Culturally and Stylistically Specific
Instead of just "electronic music," try:
- "French house with filtered disco samples"
- "UK garage with shuffled drums and pitched vocals"
- "German techno with industrial percussion"
- "LA beat scene style with jazz influences"
10. Iterate and Refine
Your first prompt might not be perfect—and that's okay!
Try this workflow:
- Start with a basic prompt
- Generate and listen critically
- Identify what's missing or wrong
- Refine your prompt with more specific details
- Generate again
Keep a "prompt library" of descriptions that worked well. You can reuse and remix them for future tracks!
Example: Before and After
Before (Vague)
"Make me a sad song"
After (Specific)
"Melancholic indie folk ballad with fingerpicked acoustic guitar, subtle strings, and intimate male vocals. Slow tempo, introspective lyrics about lost love. Production should feel warm and close, like a late-night confession."
Your Turn
Ready to put these tips into practice? Head to the Studio and experiment with these techniques. Share your best prompts and results with the community on Discover!
Remember: great prompts come from experimentation. Don't be afraid to try wild combinations and see what works!
