A beginner's guide to: Creating music

music composition, songwriting, music production, writing music

Creating music is accessible to everyone. Start simple, explore your interests and enjoy the process of expressing yourself creatively.

In a hurry and don't have any questions?

  1. Check out our safety recommendations.

  2. Decide on what medium you are going to use and get your gear together, or warm up your voice.

  3. Find a space where you can make all the noise you need to!

  4. Once you are set up, head to our Practice Guides and get started.

Looking for detailed practice guides? Hang tight, they are coming soon!

What is creating music?

Creating music is something anyone can try, regardless of background or experience. It’s about expressing yourself and having fun. Start with simple tools and concepts – there’s no need for expensive equipment or formal training. Consider different genres and what styles resonate with you.

You can use various mediums, from your voice, to instruments like guitar, drums or piano, and there are many online apps to help create all kinds of music. These online tools let you experiment with making music without needing to learn complex instruments right away. To mix it up, find some people to collaborate with and combine your ideas, skills – and sounds.

Let us show you how!

Why creating music is good for you

Not only can creating music be an excellent way to strengthen brain abilities like concentration, problem-solving, memory and critical thinking, it’s also a good way to release stress and express your emotions. Add in some friends to jam with, and you’ll also amp up your social connection.

Read on for more evidence-based benefits.

Stress relief

Emotional well-being

Enhanced focus

Intellectual well-being, Self well-being

Emotional expression

Emotional well-being, Self well-being

Cognitive growth

Intellectual well-being

Increased happiness

Emotional well-being, Self well-being

People who love creating music

Paul McCartney

Person

Björk

Person

Trent Reznor

Person

"Whiplash" (Movie)

Movie

Real people's experiences

Starting to create music? Read this first

You are probably eager to get started and see what you can create. But before you do, there are some important things to keep in mind. Creating music could be a life long endeavour, and these tips will ensure that the sounds you create are just the beginning.

Common styles

Music creation offers a variety of approaches, each with its unique flair and possibilities:

Traditional instrumental composition

Digital music production

Songwriting

Live looping

What you might experience

😅

"I am going to make beautiful music"

🎸

"Okay, this could work."

🎧

"Let’s see what I’ve got here"

🎚

"This is starting to sound like something."

😃

"I’ll probably have to keep my day job but it’s not too bad!"

Getting started guides coming soon...

Are you ready to start creating music?

We are busy working on detailed getting started guides and individual practice guides to follow.

What you need to know about creating music

Wondering whether you should start on your own, in a class or 1:1 with a teacher? Explore the table below and discover everything you need to know to get your practice started, right now.

Compare

Recommendation for first-timer

Availability

Average cost per session

Special equipment required

Potential for socialisation & community

Safety & skill building

Space or privacy required

Ease of scheduling

Setup time

Active practice time

Unexpected advantages

Ancestry, history, facts and other trivia

The theremin is the only musical instrument played without physical contact.

The Beatles were originally called "The Quarrymen.”

Daft Punk composed the score for the movie "Tron: Legacy" using a 85-piece orchestra and electronic sounds.

"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” - Victor Hugo

Show more:

3 facts

Popular memes

Show more:

9 memes

Academic research we rate

How Do Music Activities Affect Health and Well-Being? A Scoping Review of Studies Examining Psychosocial Mechanisms

Dingle, G. A., Sharman, L. S., Bauer, Z., Beckman, E., Broughton, M., Bunzli, E., Davidson, R., Draper, G., Fairley, S., Farrell, C., Flynn, L. M., Gomersall, S., Hong, M., Larwood, J., Lee, C., Lee, J., Nitschinsk, L., Peluso, N., Reedman, S. E., … Wright, O. R. L. (2021). How Do Music Activities Affect Health and Well-Being? A Scoping Review of Studies Examining Psychosocial Mechanisms. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.713818

Association of Music Interventions With Health-Related Quality of Life

McCrary, J. M., Altenmüller, E., Kretschmer, C., & Scholz, D. S. (2022). Association of Music Interventions With Health-Related Quality of Life. JAMA Network Open, 5(3), e223236. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.3236

What works for wellbeing? A systematic review of wellbeing outcomes for music and singing in adults

Daykin, N., Mansfield, L., Meads, C., Julier, G., Tomlinson, A., Payne, A., Grigsby Duffy, L., Lane, J., D’Innocenzo, G., Burnett, A., Kay, T., Dolan, P., Testoni, S., & Victor, C. (2017). What works for wellbeing? A systematic review of wellbeing outcomes for music and singing in adults. Perspectives in Public Health, 138(1), 39–46. https://doi.org/10.1177/1757913917740391

Show more:

7 research pieces

Introduction guides from around the web

Ready to join?

Join us in shaping the future of wellness. Get involved for early access and exclusive experiences!

Ditch the fads and join the Bearmore community