As a songwriter, it can be frustrating to have melodies or lyrics in your head but no way to bring them to life without instrumental skills. Thankfully, with modern technology, there are apps and websites designed specifically to help non-instrumentalists create music. Whether you’re writing pop, rock, hip-hop, or any genre, these platforms offer accessible ways to craft instrumental tracks that complement your songwriting.

Here’s a roundup of some of the best tools for turning your words into music!

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1. BandLab

Cost: Free

BandLab is a powerful and free platform that allows you to create professional-quality tracks. It has a full-featured digital audio workstation (DAW) that you can access from your browser or through its app. Even if you’re new to producing, BandLab's easy-to-use interface makes it perfect for beginners. With built-in loops, virtual instruments, and collaboration features, it’s an ideal space for creating full instrumentals without any prior experience playing instruments.

Key Features:

• Free DAW with a wide range of sounds and loops
• Built-in virtual instruments (guitar, drums, piano, etc.)
• Collaborative features to work with other musicians globally

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2. Soundtrap by Spotify

Cost: Free (with premium options)

Soundtrap is another accessible DAW in your browser that caters to all levels of experience. It’s similar to BandLab but with the added benefit of Spotify integration. Soundtrap offers a wide variety of loops, beats, and virtual instruments, making it easy to create full tracks for your songs. The platform is also great for collaborating with others in real time, allowing you to connect with musicians across the world.

Key Features:

• Intuitive interface with easy drag-and-drop features
• Large library of beats and loops
• Cloud-based collaboration
• Free version with optional premium upgrades for more sounds and tools

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3. ChordChord

Cost: Free (with premium version)

ChordChord is an excellent resource for songwriters who need help developing chord progressions for their lyrics or melodies. It allows you to generate chord progressions in various keys and styles, providing inspiration and structure. Although it doesn’t create full instrumental tracks, it’s a great tool for figuring out what kind of harmonies could support your melodies. Pairing this with a DAW like BandLab can complete your track.

Key Features:

• Simple interface for generating chord progressions
• Offers different styles and genres
• No music theory knowledge required

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4. AutoChords

Cost: Free (with premium version)

AutoChords is a chord progression generator that’s perfect for songwriters who may struggle with harmony. You can enter your key and choose your mood (happy, sad, or more neutral) to generate chord progressions that fit your song’s theme. AutoChords also offers guitar and piano chord diagrams to help you better visualize the progression.

Key Features:

• Fast and easy chord progression generation
• Suggestions for different moods and styles
• Guitar and piano chord diagrams

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5. Riffstation (Desktop)

Cost: Free

Riffstation, though no longer officially supported, is still available for download on certain sites and offers a unique feature: you can upload your favorite songs and isolate the chords. This is perfect for songwriters who want to create instrumental tracks by learning from existing songs. Even though the app is no longer updated, it remains a valuable resource for creating instrumental backings.

Key Features:

• Automatically detects and displays chords for any song
• Great for learning the structure of songs and replicating styles

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6. Amped Studio

Cost: Free (with premium options)

Amped Studio is an online DAW similar to BandLab and Soundtrap, with easy-to-use virtual instruments and loops. What sets it apart is its support for real-time MIDI editing and audio recording, allowing you to mix pre-made loops with live recordings. This hybrid approach can give you a lot of flexibility when creating instrumentals for your songs.

Key Features:

• Real-time recording and editing
• Large library of loops and instruments
• Online collaboration features

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7. LMMS (Linux MultiMedia Studio)

Cost: Free

LMMS is a completely free, open-source DAW that’s available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It’s more complex than some of the other options, but it offers endless possibilities for creating instrumentals. It includes built-in instruments, effects, and a user community where you can download additional plugins. Although the learning curve may be steeper, it’s a fantastic tool for songwriters looking for a professional-grade production environment.

Key Features:

• Extensive sound library with virtual instruments
• Free and open-source
• Great for advanced users who want full control over their sound

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Conclusion:

Whether you’re a beginner or a more advanced songwriter, these apps and websites will empower you to bring your songs to life without needing to play an instrument. Experiment with these tools, combine them to fit your needs, and watch your music take shape!

Have a favorite app that we missed? Share it in the comments below!

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