[Nicolajane87]

Hi, I've just started writing songs and I would like to able to make music for them and upload them onto Soundcloud eventually but I have no idea how to create my own music, I have a laptop and a phone is there any software I can get to make music online, I don't play any instruments. Any help appreciated thanks.

[Boydie]

If you are using PC then I would recommend that you start with AUDACITY and use it as a multi-track recorder

REAPER is a good value DAW (Digital Audio Worstation) to get started with

You will probably need an audio interface, which is likely to come bundled with a "lite" version of a DAW, which is likely to be enough to get you started

If you are on MAC then GARAGE BAND is all you need

However, the biggest hurdle you have is not playing any instruments?

What exactly are you planning to record and how?

I am guessing you don't have much of a grounding in music theory if you don't play an instrument?

You should check out the latest SongwriterSelect podcast (Ep 4) which looks at some music theory for songwriters:

http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/the-bar/songwriter-select-podcast-episode-4/

With some supporting notes here:

http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/the-writing-process/songwriterselect-episode-4-chord-theory/

Good luck

[Nicolajane87]

Thank you and I want to sing my own songs that I have written and put my own music to them, I will try GarageBand.

[LeRoc]

If you're running into any problems, I guess you can post them on the forum and there will be plenty people willing to help.

[Nicolajane87]

Yeah I will do, I've had a lot of good advice from here and it's helping me get my songwriting better

[JonnyD]

If you don't play an instrument you will probably need to enlist the help of a friend who does - if you're recording using software like Garageband you'll probably either be using a MIDI keyboard or I know Garageband lets you can your computer keyboard as a musical keyboard.

For the long term, learning an instrument will probably help.

Good luck, shout if you need any help

[manninomusic]

I would buy a cheap guitar or keyboard, and just dive right into trying to learn some new chords. Watch plenty of YouTube videos, and you can definitely get help from these forums! It will be a little hard, but once you learn a few chords, you will be well on your way. I would suggest the guitar because you can easily learn four chords, and write a simple song in which then you can use a capo to change the key of the song. Good luck!

[johnlondon]

Hi  
I too, am something of a beginner. If you`re serious and keen to learn the song writing process,. I would recommend you at least have a look at this free course.

https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/songwriting

Also when it comes to actually making the music from scratch with no prior instrument skill, something like this,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00COPKOUK/ref=s9_simh_gw_p267_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=1QT8C7S0AH16AZ9BDPY1&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=577048787&pf_rd_i=desktop

If you plan to post to Soundcloud and use garageband, something like this will give you far greater choice than an acoustic instrument through a mic and you will learn keyboards as you go. The software with this is unreal, its worth the money alone.

 Anyway good luck and stick with it.  John

[Nicolajane87]

Hi, thanks for your comments I am gonna look into buying a instrument and learning to play cos I know that will help, and i think that songwriting course would help too.

[PaulAds]

hello...

have you had a look at the "sessionband" apps for iPad / iPhone ?

i think the piano and acoustic guitar ones would be ideal to start with

they're great for sketching out musical ideas...even more so if you don't play an instrument.

it's fairly easy to create your own music with them...i think they're currently on sale too

worth a look, perhaps?

[pompeyjazz]

I don't think you can go too far wrong with a midi keyboard. Lots of them have software bundled. I recently purchased a Aixicom air mini 32 which is bundled with some interesting music creation software called ignite. I can barely play the keyboard but have managed to record some interesting grooves. I think it cost me £57 and interfaces with Mac and PC. Here's an example

https://soundcloud.com/pompeyjazz/john-bradley-iberopop

Good Luck

John

[Wolfini]

I never tried it myself, but I know there is a software called "Band in a box" - just google it.

You feed it some chords (like, c, a, etc.), choose a music style, instruments, and it will use prerecorded samples and loops to create the music. Et voilá, music without playing an instrument.

Of course this will sound a bit generic, but you will get something to sing to much sooner and easier, than by waiting until you have learned an instrument.

There are also similar products for some instruments, EZDrummer2 for drums (I use that and love it!), EZkeys for piano etc.

Good luck, Bye Wolfi