12 Ways to Make Your Music More Interesting

Make Better Songs With These 12 Tips

As a musician, it’s your job to keep your audience engaged. After all, if your music is boring, why would anyone want to listen to it? The good news is that there are various things you can do to make your music more interesting. Let’s explore some of these options now.

Making your music more interesting is an essential part of the musical process. It’s not enough to simply create a good song; you need to make sure it captivates and engages your audience. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to do this. From adding unique sounds and textures to experimenting with different tempos, there are endless possibilities when it comes to making your music stand out from the crowd. In this article, we’ll explore twelve tips for making your music more exciting for listeners. Let’s get started!

1. Explore different musical genres and incorporate elements into your music

Exploring different musical genres and incorporating elements into one’s own music is an effective way to make one’s music more interesting. Doing so can provide a unique twist to the sound, allowing it to stand out from other artists in the same genre. It can also help grow an audience by appealing to wider range of listeners.

Some of the best musical genres to explore for boosting inspiration are classical, jazz, hip hop, electronic, funk and world music.

2. Incorporate improvisation into your songs

Improvisation is an essential part of jazz and blues music, but it’s also a great way to add creativity and life to any song. When improvisation is used in a song, it adds a unique element that helps the performance stand out from others.

Some of the most notable musicians who incorporated improvisation into their music were jazz icons such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and Ornette Coleman. Coltrane was a master of improvisation and his compositions often allowed for lengthy solos that showcased his mastery.

Miles Davis’ signature cool sound was known for its improvisational techniques, as well as its distinct blend of jazz, blues and classical elements. His approach to music was often based on spontaneous ideas and developments that he would come up with during live performances. In particular, Davis’ improvisation style emphasized a wide range of tone colors, from gentle and lyrical to wild and free.

3. Use technology to your advantage

Technology has made it easier than ever for musicians to create interesting music. There are a multitude of software programs, plugins, and hardware options available that allow musicians to manipulate sound in ways they never thought possible.

Examples of techmology that can make your music sound more exciting are:

• drum machines
• sequencers
• effects processors

4. Add unexpected transitions between sections of the song

One way to add unexpected transitions between sections of a song is by using modulations. Modulations are the process of changing from one key to another in a piece of music. This can be done within the same song or between different sections of the song. Not only does this add surprise and interest for the listener, but it can also help keep them engaged.

Another way to add unexpected transitions is by using tempo changes or breaks in the music. This can also be done within a song or between sections of a song. Tempo changes create contrast and interest, as well as engaging the listener’s attention with something new.

5. Use interesting instrumentation, like ethnic instruments or electronic sounds

Make your music more interesting by incorporating unique and eclectic instrumentation. Ethnic instruments like flutes, shakers, and drums can provide an exotic flavor to your songs that will capture the attention of listeners. As a bonus, these instruments often have a much more affordable price tag than traditional western instruments.

Björk successfully used ethnic instruments in her songs to present a more vivid sound. Her song “Hyperballad” incorporates a range of unique instrumentation, including celeste and harp.

Similarly, incorporating electronic sounds can be another great way to make your songs stand out from the rest. Electronic music often involves synthesizers, drum machines and other instruments to create a futuristic sound. The band Daft Punk successfully used electronic sounds in their songs to craft an infectious sound. Their song “One More Time” is a great example of how electronic sounds can create an interesting and danceable track.

6. Write lyrics that tell a story and evoke emotion in the listener

Writing a song that tells a story or recounts a real-life experience can be an extremely powerful way of connecting with the listener and evoking emotion. A well crafted song lyric will not only tell a story, but also add depth and meaning to it. To do this, one must include more detail, as well as higher semantic richness in the lyrics.

For example, Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” tells the story of someone who has just been betrayed by their friend and is now feeling lost and confused in the world. The song paints a vivid picture of this person’s predicament, allowing us to feel empathy for them and the emotions they are experiencing.

By creating an engaging and meaningful story with your lyrics, you can make a connection with the listener that goes beyond just music. This makes for a memorable song experience that will stay in the minds of its listeners.

7. Create contrast by alternating loud and soft passages throughout the song

One of the best ways to create contrast in a song is by alternating loud and soft passages throughout. This can be achieved by varying the volume, intensity, tempo, and instrumentation used in each section.

For example, a verse could feature gentle acoustic guitars playing quietly with minimal percussion while a chorus may feature electric guitars and drums playing at higher volumes. This variation in sound creates contrast and builds tension, allowing the listener to become more engaged with the song.

Additionally, alternating between loud and soft passages can help keep the listener interested by providing a sense of anticipation as they wait to hear what will come next. By making effective use of contrast throughout your song, you can keep the listener engaged and ensure that your song stands out.

8. Layer various melodies to create complexity in your sound

Layering various melodies is a great way to create complexity and depth in your music. Layering involves playing multiple musical elements at once in order to create an intricate sound. This could involve layering multiple guitar parts, synths, drums, or vocals. By layering different musical elements on top of each other, you can add texture and depth to your sound.

For example, the band Radiohead utilized extensive layers of guitar in their song “Paranoid Android” to create a unique and complex sound. The use of multiple layers creates a sonic landscape that is both captivating and engaging.

Layering various melodies can not only give your songs more depth, but also make them more interesting and engaging. By layering different musical elements together, you can create a truly unique sound that will captivate the listener.

9. Try writing a song with an unconventional structure, such as ABABCD etc…

Composing a different song structure can catch your listeners’ ears. An unconventional structure can make your songs stand out uniquely from others. It is also a great way to challenge yourself as a writer and force you to come up with creative ideas.

One example of this would be writing an ABABCD structure, where the verse and chorus are repeated twice (ABAB) before transitioning into a bridge (C) or pre-chorus (D). This structure can be used to create a powerful dynamic between the verses and chorus, as well as add variety and interest.

You could also try writing a song with an ABCDE structure, where the verse is repeated three times (ABC) before transitioning into a bridge (D) and then the chorus (E). This structure can be great for a song with a powerful chorus or message, as it puts more emphasis on reflecting the main idea.

Regardless of which structure you choose to go with, writing an unconventional song structure can help add variety and depth to your sound. It is also an interesting way to challenge yourself and come up with creative ideas.

10. Utilize counterpoint techniques to add interest to your music

Counterpoint is the art of combining two or more musical lines in harmony. This technique can be used to add interest and complexity to a song by creating a unique sonic texture that engages the listener. By utilizing counterpoint, you can create interesting musical relationships between different instruments or vocal parts.

For example, one technique is to have two different parts playing the same melody but in different rhythms. This creates an interesting texture and gives the song a unique feel. The listener will be drawn to this sound as it is something that they haven’t heard before.

Another technique could involve two vocalists singing two slightly different melodies at the same time, creating a polyphonic texture. This would give the song an interesting feel and allow the solo vocalist to stand out in a unique way.

By utilizing counterpoint techniques, you can make your songs more interesting and engaging for the listener. With this technique, you can create complex and unique sounds that will stand out from the crowd.

11. Incorporate ambient sounds into your tracks for texture and atmosphere

Incorporating ambient sounds into your tracks can be a great way to add texture and atmosphere to your music. Ambient sounds are any sound recordings of natural or man-made environments that can be used to enhance the sound of a song. This could include anything from the sound of rain, wind, waves crashing on a beach, or even the sound of a busy city street.

These sounds can be used to create atmosphere and provide context for your song. For example, if you were writing a track about summertime, the sound of waves crashing on a beach or seagulls chirping in the distance would create an appropriate atmosphere.

12 .Experiment with different recording techniques to make unique sounds

Incorporating various recording techniques can help create unique and interesting sounds for your songs. For instance, using a technique called “foley” records authentic sounds such as footsteps, wind, or rainfall to give your tracks more depth and realism. You can also use a range of other recording techniques like double tracking and reverb to create unique textures.

Experimenting with different recording techniques can also give your tracks a unique and recognizable sound. For instance, you could try using a range of EQs to shape the tone of your instruments or applying various compression to give them more character.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when writing a song it is important to consider more than just the melody and lyrics. Incorporating unconventional structures into your songs can help add variety and interest, while counterpoint techniques will engage listeners with unique sonic textures. Additionally, adding ambient sounds or experimenting with different recording techniques are great ways to make your music stand out from the crowd. By utilizing these tips you’ll be able to create engaging tracks that capture the attention of listeners and draw them in for an unforgettable listening experience.

Written by Sonyx Music