How to Speak the Language of AI
In the world of AI-generated music, how you ask is just as important as what you ask for.
Whether you’re generating MIDI clips, full compositions, or thematic loops, crafting better prompts can mean the difference between getting a vague mess or receiving something truly inspiring.
In this article, we’ll dive into how musicians can approach prompt crafting strategically — and why it matters when working with systems like Tchaikovsky.
Why Prompts Matter
When you type a request into an AI, you’re not just describing what you want — you’re setting the entire creative framework.
A good prompt:
- Establishes genre, mood, and tempo
- Defines the instrumentation or sound palette
- Gives context like “intro,” “verse,” “chorus,” or “solo section”
- Guides structure, like “16 bars” or “loopable 4-bar riff”
Without enough detail, AI tends to fill in the gaps randomly — sometimes creatively, but often chaotically.
The Basic Formula for Music Prompts
Think of a music prompt like a setlist for the AI.
Here’s a simple formula:
[Genre] + [Mood/Emotion] + [Tempo] + [Instrumentation] + [Specific Structure]
Example prompt:
“Create a chill lo-fi hip-hop loop at 85 BPM featuring soft piano chords and a subtle vinyl crackle. 8 bars.”
Notice how this defines style, speed, sound, and length.
Common Mistakes in Prompt Crafting
Here are the most common ways prompts fall short:
- Too vague (“make a song” instead of “make a relaxed acoustic guitar melody for an intro”)
- Conflicting ideas (“upbeat sad rock ballad at 60 BPM” – hard for AI to interpret)
- No structure (“just a beat” vs. “8-bar trap beat with hi-hats and sub-bass”)
When in doubt, imagine you’re giving instructions to a session musician who’s never met you.
Would they understand what you want in one read?
Advanced Tips for Better AI Music Prompts
- Specify dynamics: (“soft intro building into powerful chorus”)
- Use references: (“similar vibe to Bon Iver’s ‘Holocene’”)
- Describe texture: (“warm, ambient, washed-out synths”)
- Mention phrasing: (“syncopated rhythm with occasional triplet fills”)
- Set the role: (“melody only, no drums or bass”)
Remember, the AI can only generate what it understands from your input. The more musical context you give, the smarter the output becomes.
Real-World Prompt Examples
Good Prompt:
“Compose a melancholic solo piano piece at 70 BPM, suitable for a rainy day scene in a film. 16 bars. Emphasis on minor chords and soft dynamics.”
Poor Prompt:
“Make a piano track.”
The first prompt gives style, emotion, tempo, length, and musical focus.
The second is open-ended and will likely give you a random result.
Final Thoughts: Be a Collaborator, Not Just a User
Think of AI not as a machine you order around, but as a creative partner.
The clearer you are about what you want, the more powerful the collaboration becomes.
Prompt crafting isn’t about “hacking” the AI — it’s about learning how to speak its creative language.
With the right prompts, AI can expand your musical vocabulary, help you break creative blocks, and generate starting points you might never have imagined alone.
Looking for prompt templates? Stay tuned — we’ll be releasing a free set of “prompt recipes” for different musical styles soon.