Artificial intelligence in songwriting: advantages and disadvantages

In the first part of our series on ChatGPT, we covered the essential basics of artificial intelligence: how it works, what it can do, and where to find it. Now it’s time to go a step further. We want to dig deeper and ask: Can ChatGPT create music with you and for you? Is AI the co-worker you may have been looking for all along? And if so, what is ChatGPT already capable of, where are its limits, and how can you get the best possible results from it? Most importantly: Can I actually write music with ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is a web-based tool that can help musicians formulate and refine their musical ideas. The AI can generate song ideas within seconds. But the bot can do even more. For example, it can help structure compositions and create new arrangements. We’ll get into that in more detail shortly. The most important first step is understanding which prompts to use and how to ask the right questions in ChatGPT.

Hey Google, what is a prompt?

A prompt is a sentence or a set of keywords that you enter into ChatGPT. The AI then analyzes and interprets this prompt in order to deliver an answer within seconds. The clearer and more precise the prompt, the more specific the result will be. Which brings us to the key question: What makes a good prompt?

• Prompts should be clear and precise. Avoid long sentences or too many subpoints.
• The context should be easy to understand, and the question should be as specific as possible.
• Word choice matters. Using simple language helps the tool interpret the context more accurately.

It’s easy to see why prompts are so important: they directly affect the quality of ChatGPT’s output. The better your input, the better the result. The rules are clear. But ChatGPT can do even more than that – including composing music.

Creating instruments, melodies, lyrics and arrangements with AI sounds almost unbelievable. After all, ChatGPT is essentially a text-based bot and was not originally designed to make music. And yet, it can be surprisingly useful in the music-creation process.

ChatGPT, write me a hit!

How does it work? First, it makes sense to look at what currently defines a “hit” and what kind of sound reflects today’s zeitgeist. The easiest way to do this is to ask ChatGPT which songs were the biggest hits of the year. Once you’ve found a song you like, you can get more specific.

In the next step, ask ChatGPT for the chord progression of that song. Then adapt the chords so they fit your own style and don’t sound too “borrowed.”

After that, you can ask ChatGPT which instruments are used in the track you selected. From drums to backing vocals, the AI can list everything. You can even ask about the groove. Kick drum, snare drum, hi-hat – the AI has it all in its repertoire. You can also ask for a bassline, as long as you already have the basic chords.

And again: you can – and should – continuously refine the results and add your own creative touches. Think of it as a solid foundation that helps you write a good song.

Now you have chords and beats. Even for instruments that come next, such as guitar or piano, ChatGPT can suggest suitable chord voicings. And if things feel too predictable, you can always ask for variations.

ChatGPT can’t write sheet music, but it can provide chords.

Now we get to the heart of the matter: the vocal melody. Even though the bot can’t generate musical notation, it can output chord progressions that serve as a useful guideline. From there, you’re free to experiment and shape the melody as you like.

Whether the first lyrical draft resonates with you is another question. But at least you have the option to ask for multiple lyric variations and explore different approaches. Just like with the instrumental part, it’s crucial to work with clearly formulated prompts here as well.

If you only enter the word “love,” the result will be fairly generic. But if you take a little time to craft thoughtful prompts, you’ll likely end up with material you can actually work with. The bot can rhyme in both English and German – in case you like rhymes.