Very few people love what they do—and musicians are one of them. CareerExplorer reveals that musicians rate their career happiness an impressive 4.1 stars. That places the career of a musician in the top 8% of most gratifying careers.
Do you also want to be a part of the music industry? Perhaps you want to follow in the footsteps of artists like Ayra Starr, NLE Choppa, or Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma, and Renée Downer. That’s a dream shared by many. But for most, a lack of musical knowledge often feels like an insurmountable barrier.
Guess what—you can follow your dream without years of music lessons or even an ounce of natural talent to start making music. Don’t worry; technology has your back. With the help of digital tools, anyone can craft amazing tracks right from their phone or computer.
Here are some of the best ways you can start creating songs without any prior skills.
#1 Try Beat-Making Apps
In a series of experiments, Benjamin Morillon–a cognitive scientist—and his fellow team found that a medium level of syncopation elicited a strong desire to dance to the music.
Want to create such a beat but don’t know where to start? Try online beat-making tools. Using them is one of the easiest and most fun ways to dive into music creation.
These apps are designed for everyone—whether you’re a total beginner or a music enthusiast just looking to experiment. These platforms offer user-friendly interfaces where you can click buttons to create drum patterns, layer sounds, and even tweak effects so that you can craft your own beats.
Some apps, however, let you drag and drop premade loops or experiment with virtual instruments, like drums, keyboards, and even strings. You don’t even need to know what a G major chord is—just tap, swipe, and see what sounds good.
Beat-making apps are simple enough for a beginner but powerful enough that you can grow with them as you get more confident. They are ideal for those interested in hip-hop, trap, or electronic music.
#2 Use AI-Powered Music Tools
AI isn’t just for writing essays or suggesting your next Netflix binge—it can help you make music, too. About 60% of musicians already use AI in their music, whether for artwork, mastering, or production.
Music tools powered by AI can help you create entire songs in minutes. All you have to do is choose a genre, set the mood, and tweak a few settings. Want a relaxing piano piece for a YouTube video or a thumping EDM track for your party? AI has got you covered. It takes care of the hard stuff, like melodies and harmonies, and you get to take the credit.
But it doesn’t stop there. Once the AI creates a base track, you can tweak it to make it more personalized. You can adjust tempos or even layer in more elements.
Now, suppose you want to add drum beats to your song. An AI-powered drum beat maker can make it happen effortlessly. It will allow you to craft precise rhythms that match the vibe of your song without requiring you to know a thing about drumming.
You can create beats by tapping on a grid or selecting pre-designed patterns. Start with the classic 4/4 beat, and then add hi-hats, kicks, or snare sounds until you’re grooving along with your masterpiece.
Want a groove that mimics the smooth rhythm of “Love Me Not” by Ravyn Lenae? You can select a similar tempo, tweak the hi-hats, kicks, and snares, and layer them seamlessly with your AI-generated track.
One of the significant benefits of using a drum beat maker, according to Drumloop AI, is a range of versatility and customization options. Hence, it’s easy to create one-of-a-kind and personalized sounds easily. Many of these tools even analyze your base melody and suggest drum patterns that complement it perfectly.
#3 Play Around With Virtual Instruments
What if we told you that you could play piano, guitar, or even violin—without touching an actual instrument? Virtual instruments make it possible.
The global music production equipment market, which was valued at $7.91 billion in 2024, is predicted to touch $9.94 billion by 2032. Expansion of virtual instruments is one of the driving factors.
Virtual instruments are digital versions of pianos, guitars, and drums that let you create melodies or beats with just your keyboard or mouse. Some even come with chord or melody presets, so all you have to do is press a button to create a sound that works perfectly in your song.
You can also mix and match different instruments in the same project. Don’t worry about hitting the wrong notes, however. Many programs have snap-to-scale features, so they will automatically correct any off-key notes.
There you have it! Three ways you can create music without any prior skills. The best part is that you don’t have to be a Beethoven or a Beyoncé to start. Just dive in, play around, and see where your creativity takes you. Who knows? Your next creation might be the earworm the world didn’t know it needed.