r/askmusicians • u/[deleted] • 10d ago
Can you compose and publish music without playing an instrument?
I’ve been wondering about this: Is it really possible for someone who doesn’t play any musical instrument to still compose, arrange, produce, and even publish their own music?
With all the digital tools, DAWs, and AI-assisted platforms available today, it feels like the barriers are lower than ever. But does the lack of hands-on instrument skills limit creativity or quality in a way that can’t be compensated for?
I’d love to hear from musicians, producers, or anyone with experience in this area. How realistic is it to go from no instrument skills to finished and published tracks?
2
u/NewbieToHomelab 10d ago
I have one question for this: What’s the purpose of you wanting to publish music without knowing an instrument?
In my experience, I find music to be an activity with great social value. To me, that’s why we have music. Gathered around the living room, campfire, church, town square, concert stage, bar, wherever it might be, music can connect people telepathically.
Let’s say you get famous from composing and publishing music, and now want to go on tour. What would you do when you perform live? Put on your Spotify list and sit down on stage?
You don’t have to go in tour or perform live, ever, of course. Just questioning the motivation. It’s a bit like the line from Jurassic Park, can we, or should we? We often focus on the “can” part, and a lot of things are definitely possible if we try hard enough, but should we?
3
1
u/BettyWhiteDevilband 10d ago
I want to quadruple like this especially for the JP nod 🤘
1
u/NewbieToHomelab 10d ago
“Can compose” music and “release music” all have other implications in my opinion. “Can compose” is a statement that bases a lot on peer-to-peer recognition, where “release music” implies that the composer wants to make money based on public recognition.
I don’t claim to be able to compose music for a second, because having gone through a few music degrees myself, I have met people who CAN REALLY COMPOSE. Like, give them any random beat or melody or even just a motif and they can write you a full piece on the spot.
0
u/sourceenginelover 10d ago
god forbid someone enjoys the wonders of music
also it seems you've never seen a rave / electronic music festival
close minded boomers, man...
1
u/NewbieToHomelab 9d ago edited 9d ago
Based on how the post is worded, I am under the impression that OP is trying to take a shortcut, rather than trying to “enjoy the wonders of music.” A person who is willing to learn would not ask “can I do this without learning it.”
I admit that EDM is not my world, but I have been to raves and have good friends who are EDM producers. At these festivals, the person on stage would still be doing something, rather than just hits play and sits. Good DJs work magic on the spot, and I definitely treat that as playing an instrument. On top of that, the good EDM producers I know are all mad at the keyboard. Might not be all of them, but definitely most of them.
Instead of just replying and bashing on people who you disagree with, why not write a good supporting comment for the OP yourself? Then you can expresses your opinion and argument based on your experience on the topic, so that you can support the OP directly. That will be more productive overall. The music world has been very toxic overall because people are so quick at judging others, instead of having meaningful conversations.
1
u/sourceenginelover 9d ago
it's impossible to have a discussion with a narrow minded boomer so i won't even try
1
1
u/byrdinbabylon 10d ago
It's definitely do-able. It might be a slower process than creating on an instrument, as players will have patterns that they naturally lean on so they aren't creating from scratch each time. However, you can definitely build up a collection of MIDI files of parts you write and learn to mix and match them. You can also kick start it by getting pre-made loops or MIDI sequences and just learn by analyzing the note choices and rhythms and how you can put them together. That or AI tools could start the process. If you have a true desire to create, you'll eventually use less tools and try to do more on your own for the fun of it, but yeah, it's way more possible than it ever was before.
The cool thing is that the new tools allow those with disabilities to not be shut out from the joy of music making. The only downside is that now there is so much music flooding the scene from home producers, it's very hard to get noticed. So do it first for your own joy.
1
u/Wooden_Permit3234 10d ago
Sure.
But it’s also relatively easy to get a baseline of competence on keyboard and drums to be able to use that both in production and to noodle around with ideas instead of using a mouse on a screen, so I’d reckon a lot of people making music with software eventually learn a bit of one or both along the way.
Like I’ve never had a piano lesson or really practiced it, but I’ve learned enough theory playing and learning guitar that I can make music on a keyboard (as long as I stick to C major/A minor because needing black keys will throw me off entirely.)
1
u/Small_Dog_8699 10d ago
Michael Jackson wrote using his voice and a multitrack recorder. But his voice is a well trained musical instrument.
Your question is akin to “can I write a book without knowing how to read?” Maybe but that’s the hard way and you can’t do it alone.
1
u/StackOfAtoms 10d ago
it's definitely possible, yes, and even before ai plugins.
the limitation mostly depends on what music genre do you want to record.
if you want to do electronic/techno music, absolutely no problem. pop songs? no problem at all.
a sweet folk ballad on the acoustic guitar? your plugins won't give you that natural, human playing with the subtle variations on the strumming and all, it will most likely sound so polished that there won't be any soul in there.
want to do some post rock, with very expressive solos on whatever instrument? i would say forget it.
1
u/CadenceEast1202 10d ago
This right here.. it depends on the genre.
Electronic, pop, pop r&b, techno… all these genres are a go which is why they dominate on loopcloud.
I also think people think it doesn’t take time and effort and I spend 16 hours to a week layering, mixing and mastering tracks while only knowing how to play chords and a roli seaboard.
1
u/StackOfAtoms 10d ago
yes!
i'm curious, how do you find the roli seaboard, in terms of being able to create the vibrato/bending/etc effects you would get on a real saxophone, electric guitar, double bass, etc? :-)
1
u/CadenceEast1202 10d ago
Real? Well, I wouldn’t say it produces anything real. It’s like its own instrument. I like to think of it more unrealistically if that makes sense..
1
u/StackOfAtoms 10d ago
okay, thank you! interesting perspective! :)
1
u/CadenceEast1202 10d ago
Yeah I don’t know how else to describe it but most people I have talked to that learned how to play it have similar sentiments.. it’s nothing like playing the piano or other midi players. It has a way of bending notes in a way that “real” instruments can’t.
1
1
u/amazyfingerz 10d ago
Jason Becker would say absofknlutely! He should be an inspiration to us all. Guitarists love him.
1
u/jfgallay 10d ago edited 10d ago
Yes, it’s possible but it’s a pretty narrow path. There are plenty of other people who don’t play an instrument, or pretty much don’t function like one, who are really hard to work with. Playing an instrument helps insure some shared experiences you can count on in a rehearsal. If you’re doing a studio session and you can’t work efficiently with the composer you’re not going to want that person back; there’s just no time to mess around. Studios do NOT do overtime, or if they do it is hugely expensive when multiplied across an orchestra.
1
u/NewbieToHomelab 10d ago
Eric Whitacre the choir composer? He played piano growing up and playing in the marching band. John Mackay is also a pianist and very decent organist, not the easiest instruments. Not quite “compose music without playing an instrument.”
Unless you are talking about someone else.
1
u/jfgallay 10d ago
Who am I thinking of then, Ian Trevino? I’ll edit my post.
1
u/NewbieToHomelab 10d ago
Ivan Trevino? Great mallet percussion player. I find that a lot of his compositions are inspired by the sound of mallet percussions, which are very cool.
I also think OP is probably referring more to EDM or something along those lines. As someone else already commented, to write music, you need good ears, and I just can’t think of a better ear training than actually learning an instrument.
2
u/jfgallay 10d ago
It’s been a long day. I don’t know what I’m thinking of then. I edited my post to leave anyone out.
1
u/Cacophony1st 10d ago
Easy, but would be best to do a music course to get a handle on arrangement and basic theory.
1
u/Glittering_Work_7069 10d ago
Yes, you can absolutely compose and publish music without playing an instrument. Many producers today rely on DAWs, MIDI, samples, and virtual instruments to create full tracks. Not playing an instrument doesn’t block you, it just means your workflow will lean more on programming, ear training, and sound design.
That said, some basic music theory and rhythm skills help a lot, and learning even a little piano can speed things up. But in practice, plenty of artists release professional music without ever touching a traditional instrument.
1
u/HectorHeadgear 10d ago
Does John Williams play oboe? Idk but my guess is no, yet he composes for the full orchestra. Composing music, producing it, and releasing music is a worthwhile endeavor, even if you don’t play an instrument. Will you make any money at it? That depends on what kind of composing you’re doing. There is a whole gamut from “just for the art” to movies and TV, to video games, and something as ridiculous as the Barnes Firm jingle. (Who can forget 1800 8 million?”
1
u/Exact-Gift-808 10d ago
probably 90% or more of the electronic music out there is made either by people who don't play an instrument or without using an actual instrument
1
u/Ok_Control7824 10d ago
Even though I don't play drums live on my music but use samples - the knowledge of playing drums gives me understanding of rhythm. I know the actual magic how to make people dance and feel. Of course there are templates and generators but they've got no spark. Even a toddler can click generate, click master ("polish") and upload, no questions asked. Doubtful it has any magic and spark for me.
1
10d ago
[deleted]
1
u/sourceenginelover 10d ago
because you enjoy music????
are you people even musicians?? is this not r/askmusicians ? wtf is wrong with you people
0
u/ahazybellcord 10d ago
As realistic as designing a fighter jet while at the same time refusing to learn how to operate an airplane.
2
u/sourceenginelover 10d ago
yeah you have no clue what you're talking about and are very narrow minded
1
0
-2
-7
u/IndividualAir3353 10d ago
With Suno ai sure. I have three albums on Spotify. My plan is to learn the guitar parts myself.
3
u/Specialist-Talk2028 10d ago
What's the point of releasing music if you don't know how to make music? lol
Get a real job if you want money
1
u/IndividualAir3353 10d ago
I played bass in my younger years. Never really released any songs though. None of this shit existed 35 years ago
1
u/FatGuyOnAMoped 10d ago
You sound just like a guy I know, even down to the age range. Except he actually engineered a couple recordings I made way back when.
Gotta admit Suno can be cool, but it's basically ripping off existing music
1
1
u/Logical_Cicada_4803 10d ago
Lol they aren't your albums. You don't even own the rights for things AI makes
1
9
u/CadenceEast1202 10d ago
Yes, there are people who are just mixers or they work with electronic music and arrange and layer. That is still producing music.
Also, it seems simple, it seems easier, but when you get down to actually making a good song, a listenable song, it takes time and effort and skill as well as an ear for music.
So just throwing an ai generator on is not going to make a good sounding song. Sure you can credit yourself as a producer but it’s going to be ass.
Ai music sucks.