5 Practical Ways to Make Your Own Kind of Music: Tips from Experts

Daisie Team -

Contents

1. Find Your Musical Roots

2. Choose Your Instruments

3. Learn to Play

4. Songwriting and Composition

5. Recording and Production

Have you ever felt the urge to create something unique and personal in the world of music? If so, you're in the right place. In this blog, we'll explore five practical ways to make your own kinda music, with tips and advice from experts in the field. By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to crafting your very own musical masterpiece.

1. Find Your Musical Roots

The journey to make your own kinda music begins with finding your musical roots. This involves exploring different genres, discovering your influences, and studying your favorite artists. Let's dive into these three steps to help you create music that truly reflects who you are.

Explore Genres

First, take some time to listen to a wide variety of music genres. This can help you identify which styles resonate with you the most. Some popular genres include:

  • Rock
  • Pop
  • Hip-hop
  • Electronic
  • Folk
  • Classical

Don't be afraid to venture outside your comfort zone when exploring genres. You might find inspiration from unexpected sources.

Discover Influences

Next, think about the musicians, bands, or composers who have had the greatest impact on your musical tastes. These artists can serve as a foundation for your own music. Some questions to consider when identifying your influences include:

  1. What about their sound appeals to you?
  2. How do their lyrics or melodies make you feel?
  3. What emotions or memories do their songs evoke?

Once you've identified your influences, you can begin incorporating their styles into your own music while adding your unique touch.

Study Your Favorites

Finally, spend time studying your favorite songs and albums. Pay close attention to the elements that make them stand out, such as:

  • Chord progressions — the sequence of chords that define a song's harmony.
  • Rhythms — the patterns of beats that give a song its groove.
  • Instrumentation — the choice of instruments used in a song.
  • Production techniques — the methods used to record and mix a song.

By studying these elements, you can gain a better understanding of what makes great music and apply these techniques to make your own kinda music.

2. Choose Your Instruments

Once you've found your musical roots, it's time to choose the instruments you'll use to make your own kinda music. The instruments you select will play a major role in defining your sound. Here, we'll explore three popular choices for aspiring musicians: guitar, piano, and percussion.

Guitar

The guitar is a versatile and popular instrument for many musicians. It's suitable for various genres, from rock and folk to jazz and blues. Some benefits of learning the guitar include:

  • Portability — you can easily take a guitar with you wherever you go.
  • Expressiveness — the guitar offers a wide range of tones and playing techniques.
  • Accompaniment — the guitar can act as both a lead and rhythm instrument, making it ideal for songwriting.

If the guitar sounds like the right instrument for you, consider whether you'd prefer to learn on an acoustic or electric model. Each has its unique qualities and can shape your musical journey differently.

Piano

The piano is another excellent instrument for those looking to make their own kinda music. This classic instrument offers a solid foundation for music theory and composition. Some advantages of learning the piano include:

  • Polyphony — the ability to play multiple notes simultaneously, allowing for complex harmonies and melodies.
  • Dynamic range — the piano offers a wide range of volume levels and expressive capabilities.
  • Visual layout — the piano's keys provide a clear representation of musical notes and scales.

Whether you choose a traditional acoustic piano or a digital keyboard, the piano can help you develop essential music skills and bring your compositions to life.

Percussion

If you're drawn to the rhythm and groove of music, percussion instruments might be the perfect fit for you. These instruments, such as drums, tambourines, and maracas, provide the heartbeat of a song. Some benefits of learning percussion include:

  • Timing — developing a strong sense of rhythm and tempo.
  • Coordination — improving hand-eye and foot-eye coordination through complex drum patterns.
  • Energy — channeling your energy and emotions through powerful, rhythmic beats.

By learning percussion, you can create a solid foundation for your music and add depth and energy to your compositions.

3. Learn to Play

After choosing your instruments, the next step in making your own kinda music is learning how to play them. There are several methods and resources available to help you develop your musical skills. Let's take a look at three popular options: private lessons, YouTube tutorials, and online courses.

Private Lessons

One tried-and-true way to learn an instrument is through private lessons with a skilled teacher. Some benefits of private lessons include:

  • Customized instruction — lessons tailored to your specific needs and interests.
  • Individual attention — one-on-one feedback and guidance to help you progress more quickly.
  • Accountability — a regular lesson schedule to keep you motivated and on track.

Ask friends for recommendations or search local music schools and studios to find a teacher who's a good fit for you.

YouTube Tutorials

For those who prefer a more self-guided approach, YouTube offers countless tutorials on how to play various instruments. Some advantages of learning through YouTube include:

  • Flexibility — learn at your own pace and on your own schedule.
  • Variety — access to a wide range of lessons, from beginner techniques to advanced skills.
  • Free resources — many YouTube tutorials are available at no cost to you.

Search for lessons on your chosen instrument and explore different channels to find a style that resonates with you.

Online Courses

Another option for learning to play an instrument is enrolling in an online course. Online courses often provide a structured curriculum and access to expert instructors. Some benefits of online courses include:

  • Structured learning — a clear path for progressing through the material.
  • Community — the opportunity to interact with fellow students and instructors in forums or virtual classrooms.
  • Resources — access to additional learning materials such as sheet music, backing tracks, and quizzes.

Consider platforms like Udemy, Coursera, or specialized music learning websites to find a course that suits your needs and goals.

4. Songwriting and Composition

With your newfound instrument skills, you're ready to dive into the world of songwriting and composition. This is where you get to truly make your own kinda music by expressing your unique ideas and emotions. Let's explore three key components of songwriting and composition: melody writing, lyric writing, and arrangement.

Melody Writing

A strong melody is often what sticks with listeners and makes a song memorable. When crafting your own melodies, keep these tips in mind:

  • Start simple — don't worry about creating complex melodies right away. Focus on a few notes and build from there.
  • Experiment with rhythm — play around with different note lengths and patterns to add interest to your melody.
  • Embrace repetition — repeating motifs or phrases can help create a sense of familiarity and catchiness in your melody.

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you work on writing melodies, the more natural it will become.

Lyric Writing

Lyrics are a powerful way to convey your thoughts, emotions, and stories through music. When writing your own lyrics, consider the following tips:

  • Write from experience — draw inspiration from your own life and emotions to create authentic, relatable lyrics.
  • Use imagery — paint vivid pictures with your words to help listeners visualize your story or message.
  • Revise and refine — don't be afraid to edit and rework your lyrics until they feel just right.

As with melody writing, practice is key. Keep a notebook or use a note-taking app to jot down ideas and refine your lyric-writing skills over time.

Arrangement

Arrangement is the process of organizing and shaping your song's various elements (melody, lyrics, harmony, rhythm) into a cohesive whole. To create an engaging arrangement, consider these tips:

  • Think about dynamics — use changes in volume and intensity to add interest and contrast to your song.
  • Experiment with instrumentation — try different combinations of instruments to find the perfect blend for your song's mood and style.
  • Focus on structure — consider how your song will flow from one section to another (verse, chorus, bridge, etc.) to create a satisfying listening experience.

As you develop your songwriting and composition skills, you'll be well on your way to making your own kinda music that reflects your unique voice and style.

5. Recording and Production

Now that you've crafted your very own songs, it's time to bring them to life through recording and production. With the right tools and techniques, you can create professional-sounding recordings that showcase your unique musical creations. Let's explore the essentials of setting up a home studio, choosing audio recording software, and mastering the art of mixing and mastering.

Home Studio Set-Up

Setting up a home studio doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. To get started, focus on these key components:

  • Space: Choose a quiet, dedicated space for your studio, ideally with minimal outside noise and good acoustics.
  • Equipment: At a minimum, you'll need a computer, an audio interface, a microphone, headphones or studio monitors, and cables to connect everything.
  • Acoustic treatment: Consider adding some basic acoustic treatment, like foam panels or bass traps, to improve the sound quality in your space.

With your home studio set up, you're ready to start recording your own kinda music.

Audio Recording Software

Also known as Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), audio recording software enables you to record, edit, and mix your music. There are many options available, but some popular choices include:

  • GarageBand (free for Mac users)
  • Audacity (free, open-source)
  • FL Studio (paid)
  • Ableton Live (paid)
  • Pro Tools (paid)

Each DAW has its own features and workflow, so experiment with different options to find the one that suits you best.

Mixing and Mastering

Mixing and mastering are the final stages in the music production process that help your songs sound polished and professional. Here are some tips for each process:

  • Mixing: Focus on achieving a balance between the different elements of your song, such as volume levels, panning, and equalization (EQ). Don't be afraid to experiment with effects like reverb and compression to enhance your mix.
  • Mastering: This is the final polish that ensures your song sounds great across different devices and platforms. Use tools like EQ, compression, and limiting to optimize your mix, and consider investing in a good pair of reference headphones to ensure accurate listening.

As you gain experience in recording and production, you'll be well-equipped to make your own kinda music that sounds just as good as the pros!

If you're fascinated by the idea of creating music from unconventional sources, don't miss the workshop 'Making Music From Everyday Sounds' by Tom Glendinning. This workshop will teach you techniques and inspire you to create unique sounds and music using everyday objects and environments. Unleash your creativity and start making music like never before!