No more creating music that gets lost in the massive sea that is the music industry.
No more copy-and-paste sounds replicating the biggest artists in your genre.
No more yawn-inducing mediocrity.
No. No. No.
The best way how to get people to listen to your music is to keep your music fresh and engaging, with both originality and your own style.
To make your music sound different, you should prioritize innovation, as constant experimenting is key!
In truth, there are plenty of ways to make your music more interesting. That's why we've compiled a list of 23 tips and techniques that you can use to add depth, complexity, and originality to your music.
Whether you're working on a full album or just a single track, these strategies will help you take your music to the next level.
So sit back, relax, and let's get into it!
1. Collaborate With Other Musicians
First off, collaborating with other musicians can bring a new perspective and fresh ideas to your music. Plus, the process of music creation is a lot easier when working with other artists. You could even try working with a musician from a different genre to add new interest and diversity to your music.
2. Incorporate Samples
Incorporating samples into your music can add depth and interest by introducing new sounds and elements to your compositions. There is a wide range of sources available for sampling - from audio tracks, sound effects or spoken word recordings – so get creative! However, when using samples, it's important to be mindful of copyright laws and obtain permission if necessary.
3. Vary Your Tempo
Another way to make your music more interesting is to vary the tempo. Instead of always playing at the same speed, try changing things up and playing faster or slower at different parts of your song. This variety can add interest and increase the longevity of each listen.
4. Change Your Dynamics
Dynamics are the loudness or softness of your playing. You can make your music more interesting by varying the dynamics throughout your song. For example, you could start out soft and then build to a crescendo, or vice versa.
5. Use Different Voices
If you’re playing an instrument that has multiple voices (such as a piano or synthesizer), be sure to experiment with all of them. Each voice has its own unique sound, so using different voices can really add interest to your playing.
Or, you can vary your own vocals with various takes, as this is a skill often desired by record labels. To learn more about how to get signed to a record label, click here.
6. Play in Different Octaves
Another way to add interest to your playing is to experiment with different octaves. Most instruments have a range of several octaves, so don’t be afraid to explore the higher and lower notes on your instrument. This can add a lot of depth and texture to your music.
7. Countermelodies
Put simply, a countermelody is a secondary melody that plays alongside the main melody. There are several ways you can use countermelodies to make your music more interesting.
One way to make your music more interesting is to use a unrelated instruments to play a countermelody. Use a backing music sound like an organ track underneath a piano would result in a much thicker sound.
Another way to use countermelodies is to vary the dynamics of the countermelody. For example, you might have the countermelody play softly in the background during certain sections and then come to the forefront at others. This can add interest and contrast to your music and create a sense of movement and progression.
8. Utilize Field Recordings
Field recordings are recordings made in natural or everyday environments, such as sounds from a city street or a forest. Incorporating field recordings into your music can add a sense of realism and authenticity and make your music more interesting.
9. Experiment With Rhythm
Rhythm is one of the most important aspects of music, so it’s no surprise that experimenting with different rhythms can make your music more interesting. Try adding syncopation or changing up the meter of your song to really give it some flair.
10. Add Improvisation
Adding improvisation to your music can make it more interesting and spontaneous. You can improvise solos, melodies, or even entire sections of a song. This will allow you to be creative and expressive in the moment and add a unique element to your music.
11. Include Tension and Release
Creating tension and release in your music can make it more interesting and emotionally impactful. You can do this by building up to a climax and then resolving it, or by using dissonance and resolution in your harmonies.
12. Use Silence
Silence can often be just as powerful as an instrumental or vocal sounds since it allows for a contrast in dynamics that gives the listener something to look forward to. Using silence wisely and creatively can evoke emotion, build tension, and even help structure a song.
For example, incorporating pauses between sections and lines helps to keep things interesting and give the audience something to anticipate. Sometimes, even a very quick beat pause will do the trick.
Try experimenting with different uses of silence – like an intense pause right before chorus - and you’ll find that it will give your music an extra powerful impact!
13. Incorporate Storytelling
Adding storytelling elements to your music can make it more interesting and engaging for listeners. You might try writing lyrics that tell a story or creating a concept album that follows a specific theme or narrative.
This can help you connect with your listeners and make your music more meaningful and memorable. A good story goes a long way.
14. Play With Phrasing
Phrasing is the way in which you group notes together into phrases. By varying the length and shape of your phrases, you can add a lot of interest and variety to your playing.
15. Sound Effects
Adding sound effects can be an easy and creative way to take your music to the next level. Try experimenting with various sounds to create unique transitions and captivating noises that will keep listeners more absorbed in the pieces you produce.
From buzzing feedback delays to soaring vocal echoes, sound effects are a great tool for bringing extra flavor and personality into your compositions. Don’t be afraid to get playful; let your imagination run wild and discover endless possibilities for enhancing your sonic palette!
16. Freshen It Up
Manipulate old media sounds to create fresh, new samples. You'd actually be surprised just how many modern hit songs are based off of an older piece of media. Whether that be chopping up and slicing a melody, or replicating a vocal pattern, get to making something new from something old. Simply draw inspiration from what you already enjoy, and make something fresh and new.
17. Add An Electronic Dance Music Sound
Incorporating electronic elements such as synthesizers, drum machines, and effects pedals can add a lot of interest and versatility to your music. These elements can allow you to create new sounds and textures that might not be possible with traditional instruments.
18. Explore Different Modes
For my non music theory nerds, modes are essentially scales with different patterns of whole and half steps. Instead of always using the major or minor scales, try using modes like the Dorian or Mixolydian modes. These modes have different characteristics and can add a unique sound to your music, but are rarely ever explored by most audio engineers that produce music.
19. Use Different Articulations
Articulation refers to the way in which you play each note. For example, you can play a note staccato (short and detached) or legato (long and sustained). Varying your articulation can add a lot of interest and expression to your playing.
20. Create New Instruments
Adding unconventional instruments to your music can add a lot of interest and uniqueness. Try incorporating unorthodox instruments like trash cans or buckets, or use objects like pots and pans to create a unique drum beat. You could even try incorporating non-traditional instruments like saws or wine glasses into your music. The possibilities of homemade quality sounds are endless!
21. Try Unconventional Song Structures
Traditional song structures like verse-chorus-verse can get predictable and boring. Instead, try experimenting with unconventional song structures to add interest to your music. You could try using a non-linear structure, where different sections of the song are played in a random order, or you could try using a through-composed structure, where each section of the song is unique and not repeated.
22. Use Ambient Sounds
Ambient sounds are background noises or soundscapes that can add depth and atmosphere to your music. You could try incorporating ambient sounds like the sound of a rainstorm or the hum of a city into your music to add interest and create a unique atmosphere.
23. Use Loop Pedals
Loop pedals allow you to record and loop a section of music, creating a layered sound. Using loop pedals when making music can allow you to build up complex compositions in real-time and add a lot of interest and variety to your music.
In Conclusion
Ok, whew that was a lot of information. Ultimately, making your music more interesting often requires experimenting with new sounds and textures, to add new depth and dimension to your compositions.
You could add unusual instruments, such as a theremin or a sitar, or incorporating electronic dance music production elements like synthesizers and drum machines.
Furthermore, by fusing together different musical influences, you can create a unique and diverse sound that sets you apart from other artists.
Don't be afraid to take risks and push the boundaries of your music. Whether it's adding unexpected elements or breaking traditional song structure, taking creative risks can help you stand out and keep your music fresh and exciting. Treat your job to produce music as a scientist, and always look for new ways to make your music more interesting.
That is all! To learn more tips & tricks for creating the best possible music and how to make it in music industry, check out three more blogs we would recommend for you below.
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