Songwriting and Composition
with AI

Listen to songs VVPP created with AI!

Who is this for? Singers, songwriters, and educators curious about using AI tools to support the creative process.
What will I learn? How to use AI apps to generate lyrics, structure songs, and create melodies—while keeping artistic control in your hands.

Suno interface window - example of using Suno as composer's sketchbook.

Suno

Suno was our primary tool for fast, intuitive song generation. Students used it as a compositional sketchbook—inputting prompts to generate stylistic backing tracks, instrumental grooves, and full songs. The ability to generate in genres like pop, rock, or reggae allowed students to brainstorm quickly, then refine or replace elements manually. With Suno you can:

  • Use it as a compositional launchpad or sketchbook

  • Generate content from your own work to inspire new ideas

  • Generate instrumental tracks/stems for practice and performance

  • Experiment with different styles/sounds before assigning a piece to a live performer

  • Create practice loops and duet ideas

  • Generate and refine lyrical content; convert concepts to lyrics

  • Take AI’s suggested phrasing and fine-tune into your personal voice

  • Use AI to help overcome writer’s block

Ryen Xander presents Suno as the “Composer’s Sketchbook”

Suno Alternatives: Udio, Boomy, JenMusic.AI

AIVA app moods panel

AIVA

AIVA was used primarily for structured composition. It enabled more detailed control over harmonic progression and formal structure. Students imported MIDI output into DAWs or combined AIVA's music with Synth V voices to bring their compositions to life. With AIVA you can:

  • Create AI-assisted melodies choosing key, meter, etc.

  • Generate chord progressions and harmonizations

  • Create original songs and choral works with editable notation

  • Export stems for use with other AI tools and DAWs

  • Use it to scaffold harmony practice and teach form

ChatGPT

Used to support lyric writing, ChatGPT offered students a flexible partner in creative ideation. It helped overcome writer’s block, provided rhyme suggestions, and offered emotional phrasing ideas. It is also an excellent organizational and planning tool for independent artists. With ChatGPT you can:

  • Draft lyrics from prompts about theme or mood

  • Get help with rhyme, meter, and structure

  • Reflect on meaning and voice in songwriting

  • Get “tutoring” in songwriting and composition based on best practices it knows

  • Create images that accompany the lyrics or style of music