When a Prompt Raises Questions
The exercises are invitations, not tests. Here is what you need to know before making them your own.
Do I need to read music?
No. Use voice notes, words, arrows or simple chord names. Formal notation is optional. A drawn line showing a rise and fall can preserve the broad outline of an idea.
Do I have to write every day?
No. “Daily” describes a manageable scale of exercise, not a required streak. The featured starting point can be reused and does not automatically change each day. Return to the same constraint until you have heard enough from it.
What if I do not play an instrument?
Use your voice, spoken rhythm, hand taps or drawn melodic contours. Harmony examples can wait until an instrument or collaborator is available. The melody exercises and lyric exercises offer places to begin without chord accompaniment.
How long should a session last?
Begin with five to ten minutes or less. Stop when you have a fragment and one clear next step. Some sessions will continue naturally; others may end after a single useful observation. A time limit is a boundary, not a performance target.
What do the chord numerals mean?
They describe chord relationships within a key. In C major, I is C major, vi is A minor, IV is F major and V is G major. Uppercase indicates major and lowercase indicates minor in these examples. The harmony guide gives chord names alongside the numerals.
Can I release music I write from an exercise?
We do not claim ownership of your independently created songs because you used a prompt. You remain responsible for rights in any borrowed lyrics, melodies, samples or recordings. A common exercise does not establish that a resulting work is unique or legally cleared. See the terms for the distinction between using prompts and reproducing site content.
Do you listen to or store my recordings?
This site has no recording or upload function. Voice notes you make in another app are governed by that app and your settings. The contact tool prepares text only and does not send your draft to us.
Is a creative block a sign that I should stop songwriting?
Not necessarily. A smaller task or rest may help you decide what you need. These exercises are creative education, not mental-health treatment. If distress extends beyond the writing session, consider seeking support from a qualified professional or a trusted person.
Can I send a correction or exercise suggestion?
Yes. Use the contact page to prepare a message, then copy or download it and send it through your own email app. The tool does not send messages. Include the page address and a short explanation; please avoid sending unpublished recordings or sensitive personal information.
Start with the part you can hear.
A spoken rhythm, a held note or a concrete detail is enough material for a first pass.
Try today's starting point →