The Brain Learns More by Creation – than it does by repetition, memorization, reading or listening.
There are many ways to create music. We encourage creativity and originality.
- If you have a smartphone, tablet, or computer, there are a variety of music making apps. Many are free, or low cost. Especially smartphone and tablet apps. Often a fraction of the price of computer software counterparts.
- A drum machine or beat making app can often get you grooving and spark a creative new song.
- Stuck on lyrics? Pick up a book, magazine, or newspaper. Turn to a random page. Write a song about the first few words that your eyes land on.
- Pick up a chord dictionary. Turn to a random page until you find a cord you don’t know or seldom use. Use that card to start creating a unique cord progression.
- Cord progression generating app.
- Find a song that you really like. Pencil down the cord progression. Now change it up. Add, delete and modify a few of the cords. Maybe go back the cord dictionary for ideas. Now play it in a different style or rhythm. If it’s disco, try a hip hop beat. If it’s country , try rock n’ roll. You get the idea.
- Phone a friend. Sometimes people are full of creative ideas.
- Go for a walk in nature. Always good for helping the mind state and enhancing creativity.
GrooveBox – Generative Learning App
Groovebox on IOS is what I call a GENERATIVE LEARNING app. It generates cool music AND helps you to learn music at the same time.
You can pick a key, a scale, or a mode and the app will generate some cool music to get you started.
If you don’t know anything about scales or modes, you can just pick one. Listen to what it sounds like, take a peek at the notes that the app generates.
You can also record your own ideas into the app. There is a simplified keyboard mode that makes music creation virtually mistake proof.
Check out the Launchad App
Launchpad is another uber-simple music creation app. Pick a sound set in the genre of music that you like. Just press the buttons to turn the sounds on and off. Or swipe across an entire row.
You can select a key as long as it’s a minor key. Mess with the tempo. If you have an instrument handy, pick it up and play along. Or make up some lyrics and sing!
