9 Ways ChatGPT can help musicians

Here is a guide on how to use the powers of AI’s ChatGPT to your advantage as a musician.

by Scott McCormick of Disc Makers Blog

AI and machine learning technologies are already transforming the way we work and create, and the music industry is no exception. With the advent of ChatGPT, a powerful language model developed by OpenAI, musicians now have a powerful tool at their disposal. Yes, you can use ChatGPT for music by having it assist with various aspects of music creation and production, as well as with administrative functions, and can provide valuable insights and inspiration.

Understanding how ChatGPT works

Before delving into specific uses, it’s really helpful to understand how ChatGPT works. ChatGPT is trained on a vast amount of text data and uses a deep learning model to generate human-like responses based on prompts provided by a user. The more specific and explanatory the prompt, the more “personalized” the response.

How to use ChatGPT for your music

ChatGPT has been trained on a diverse range of topics, including music, making it a potential resource for musicians. Here are nine ways you might use ChatGPT for music-making and your music career.

1. Generate song lyrics and music composition ideas

An exciting application of ChatGPT for musicians is generating lyric and music composition ideas. By providing a prompt or a few lines of text, you can ask ChatGPT to generate creative suggestions for song lyrics, melodies, chord progressions, or entire sections of a song. This can help break through writer’s block, send you in unexpected directions, and provide fresh perspectives on your music.

For example, I asked ChatGPT to “Give me a chord progression using a half-diminished chord,” and it immediately gave me this: Am7b5 – Dm7 – G7 – Cmaj7, which is unusual and interesting. It even provided me with an explanation of why it works.

2. Draft press releases or EPKs

Want to know how to promote your band? Crafting compelling press releases and Electronic Press Kits (EPKs) is crucial for promoting your music, and ChatGPT can assist in writing these documents. Provide the necessary background information and ask ChatGPT to help you draft a press release or EPK. It can provide language suggestions and help you craft a message that is concise and effective.

3. Explain complex contracts/terms

Navigating the music industry often involves dealing with complex contracts and legal terms. Of course, there’s no reliable substitute for an entertainment lawyer, but ChatGPT can at least assist you in clarifying legal complexities. By providing specific clauses or legal jargon, you can ask ChatGPT to explain them in plain language, helping you better understand the terms and conditions of contracts or agreements.

4. Assist with business management

Managing the business aspects of a music career can be a time-consuming task. ChatGPT can help optimize your business management processes. For example, you can use ChatGPT to generate financial reports, analyze revenue streams, and identify potential areas for growth. By inputting your financial data and asking specific questions, ChatGPT can provide insights into budgeting, expense tracking, and revenue projections. It can also offer recommendations on pricing strategies for merchandise or concert tickets based on market trends and competitor analysis.

5. Time management

ChatGPT can assist with scheduling and time management. As a music artist, you may have multiple commitments, including rehearsals, recording sessions, gigs, and promotional activities. ChatGPT can help you create and manage your schedule to make efficient use of your time. It can suggest optimal time slots, consider travel distances between venues, and provide reminders for important deadlines or upcoming events.

6. Marketing help

By analyzing data from social media platforms and marketing campaigns, ChatGPT can help you identify target audiences, recommend marketing channels, and suggest content ideas intended to resonate with your fan base. It can also assist in creating social media posts and ad campaigns and even track the impact of your marketing efforts.

7. Gain music production insights

Believe it or not, ChatGPT’s expertise extends to the realm of music production, and can provide insights and recommendations to enhance your tracks. For example, you can seek guidance on music theory, chord progressions, or arrangements. By asking specific questions about a particular genre or style, ChatGPT can suggest characteristic elements, instrument choices, or production techniques that align with your desired sound.

8. Mixing and textures

ChatGPT can assist in sound design and help you create unique sonic textures. By describing the sonic qualities you’re aiming for, ChatGPT can recommend synthesizer settings, effects chains, or processing techniques to achieve the desired results. It can also provide suggestions for achieving specific moods or atmospheres within your music.

When it comes to mixing your tracks, ChatGPT can offer insights on EQing, compression, and spatial positioning. You can ask for suggestions to improve the clarity, balance, and overall impact of your mix.

9. Get feedback and suggestions

Receiving feedback on your songwriting  is invaluable for growth and improvement. ChatGPT can act as an unbiased listener and provide feedback on your compositions or performances. By sharing samples or snippets of your work, you can ask ChatGPT specific questions about song structure and instrumentation. It can offer constructive criticism, highlight strengths and weaknesses, and suggest areas for improvement.

You’re still the boss

Remember, while ChatGPT can provide insights and suggestions, the point is to balance AI-generated music feedback with your own artistic judgment and the feedback from listeners, musicians, and your fans. Used creatively, AI technology can be a powerful tool to support your artistic and career endeavors and serve as a time-saver.

It’s time to put your music in the hands of your fans

By embracing AI technology and using it as a creative tool, you can streamline tasks, gain inspiration, and enhance your music production process. Then, when you’ve got enough music for an EP or an album, Disc Makers can help you put together a CD package that will impress all your human and humanoid fans.

Scott McCormick is the author the Audible bestselling Rivals! series and the hit fantasy novelThe Dragon Squisher. Scott can be reached at storybookediting@gmail.com.