The 10 Best Free Songwriting Tools for Musicians

Last Updated on August 23rd, 2019 at 9:45 am

Songwriting Tools

Writing songs is hard. Generally, you do not know where to begin and other times you feel completely stuck. However, it does not have to be depressing. There are more good songwriting tools out there to help with songwriting than ever before

Want to find the right chord progression for that bridge? Or maybe you want an easy drum pattern to play along to? Or maybe you wish to keep in mind these perfect lyrics you wrote to finish that chorus?

Whatever you are stuck on, this list of the top 10 free songwriting tools and apps will help kickstart your inspiration.

1. Autochords

Autochords is an easy and easy-to-use chord generator which works in various moods and keys. The browser tool generates 4 different chord progressions and all the chords in any given key.

Perfect for: anybody that’s growing their music theory and needs to generate ideas rapidly.

2. The Method Behind The Music Dictionary

Method Behind the Music lists all of the commonly used terms you would find in a classical music score.

Do not know your glissandi from your crescendi? No problem. Everything from a coda to a triad is described in glossary-like fashion, which means you could read up on theory or learn about different musical concepts.

Perfect for: for brushing up on the music theory terms that will assist you to know and communicate your musical ideas better.

3. LANDR Collaboration

Songwriting Tools

LANDR’s collaboration tools permit you to share private links to your demo or mastered track.

Get feedback from your friends or collaborators to assist enhance your track. Use timestamps to refer to particular sections, like a bridge or chorus. Begin a project and keep track of all of your versions with critiques collected in one simple to access place.

Perfect for: collecting feedback and collaborating on a work in progress.

 4. Rhyme Zone

Rhyme Zone is a rhyming dictionary with additional features to search out synonyms, antonyms, similar-sounding words, and more.

It is a songwriter dream for chasing down that last missing word in a lyric.

The rhyming section lists all possible rhymes with varying syllable counts and close to rhymes.

You could even restrict words by meter or show the popularity of a word’s usage in English texts.

Perfect for: writing or revising lyrics to find that one absolutely good word.

5. Hook Theory Trends

Hook Theory Trends is a songwriting resource that shows the chord progressions of more than 12,000 songs.

You could hearken to clips and see which songs utilize the same chords. It offers you an in-depth breakdown of the chords utilized in different choruses, verses, and bridges.

It is an encyclopedia of chord progressions that will assist you to identify your favorites and learn how they work.

Hook Theory’s prevalent chord progressions tool also catalogs the most prevalent progressions in songs.

Perfect for: Anybody looking for some chord progression inspiration in their songwriting.

6. HumOn

HumOn is an iOS and Android songwriting app that makes a song and score around a hummed melody.

It algorithmically generates different styles like R&B, Classical, and more—taking an easy sung vocal and turning it into a full-fledged track. You could even share your songs on social media.

Perfect for: hammering out an easy melodic idea rapidly, easily and anywhere.

7. iO808

Songwriting Tools

The iO808 is a browser-based app of the classic TR-808 drum machine.

Believe it or not, the 808 was originally marketed as a studio assistant to play along to.

It could be helpful for plotting out a rhythm. You could play along to it, or record it. iO808 even permits you to save a Javascript notation file, so that you could reload previously made rhythms.

Perfect for: injecting some classic drum machine compositions into your songwriting or putting together fast rhythms to play along to.

8. Bandlab

Bandlab is a free browser and app-based digital audio workstation. It’s an important various to different easy DAWs equivalent to Storage Band or Audacity. Its portability permits you to document out of your telephone or demo on the go.

Good for: easy and straightforward to make use of demoing and multitracking.

9. Audiotool

Songwriting Tools

Audiotool is a free full-scale manufacturing suite in your browser.

Drag a number of digital devices and results pedals onto the display screen and also you’re already in your solution to making your subsequent hip-hop or digital monitor.

Audiotool emulates analog-style manufacturing, so it’s a must to patch your devices and pedals along with digital enter and output cables.

Nevertheless, it’s really a useful method that may assist you to perceive sign circulation in your tracks. Audiotool permits you to save, document, and export your initiatives.

Good for: composing whole hip-hop or digital tracks backing tracks to play alongside to.

10. Chordbot Lite

Songwriting Tools

Chordbot is an iOS and Android app for creating and sampling totally different chord progressions in numerous keys and modes.

It’s much like Autochords, however a bit extra hands-on and detailed. It showcases totally different chord progressions and types with totally different devices (equivalent to arpeggiated pianos, synths, and acoustic guitar) and results.

Export songs as MIDI, WAV, or as Chordbot initiatives to collaborate with others.

Good for: placing collectively chord progressions and track concepts with totally different keys and devices.

The writing device for the job

Expertise retains you organized and inventive whenever you’ve hit a rut or want somewhat additional assist together with your songwriting.

These instruments assist an increase in your capability for artistic expression—making the method simpler, extra collaborative and extra enjoyable.

Attempt these 10 songwriting instruments the subsequent time you’re caught, or in want of some contemporary inspiration!

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