> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://musicwave.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://musicwave.gitbook.io/docs/ai-music-generation/genre-specific-prompting.md). # Genre-Specific Prompting Different genres need different prompting strategies. This guide provides proven templates for each major genre, with the specific descriptors that produce the best results in MusicWave. ## Lo-fi Hip Hop Lo-fi is one of the easiest genres to generate well. The genre's chill, repetitive nature plays to AI strengths. ### Template ``` Lo-fi hip hop instrumental, [mood] mood, [main instrument] sample, brushed drums, vinyl crackle texture, [BPM 70-90] BPM, no vocals, [use case] ``` ### Working examples > Lo-fi hip hop instrumental, mellow mood, jazz piano sample, brushed drums, vinyl crackle texture, 75 BPM, no vocals, perfect for studying > Lo-fi hip hop, sleepy mood, soft Rhodes piano, gentle drums, rain sounds in background, 70 BPM, late night vibe ### Key descriptors that work * "vinyl crackle" * "tape hiss" * "brushed drums" * "Rhodes piano" or "jazz piano" * "sample-based" * "chillhop" ## Pop Pop generation works best with clear structure cues and specific vocal direction. ### Template ``` [Subgenre] pop song in [key] at [100-130] BPM, [vocal style] vocals, [instrument list], drums kick in at the chorus, [theme] theme, [mood] mood ``` ### Working examples > Indie pop song in C major at 115 BPM, female vocals with reverb, acoustic guitar and synth pads, drums kick in at the chorus, summer love theme, upbeat and nostalgic > Synthpop song at 120 BPM, male vocals with autotune, retro synths and drum machine, energetic 80s vibe, drives forward throughout ## Electronic / EDM Electronic genres benefit from BPM specificity and structural cues. ### Template ``` [Subgenre] track at [BPM] BPM, [bass description], [synth description], [drop or build description], [mood] mood ``` ### Working examples > House track at 125 BPM, deep bassline, warm analog synths, build at 0:30 with drop at 1:00, uplifting and groovy > Future bass at 140 BPM, heavy bass drops, lush chord stabs, vocal chops, energetic and emotional ### Subgenres to try * House, deep house, tech house * Techno, minimal techno * Future bass, dubstep, drum and bass * Trance, progressive trance * Synthwave, retrowave * Tropical house ## Rock Rock benefits from era references and instrument specificity. ### Template ``` [Era] [subgenre] in [key] at [tempo] BPM, [vocal style], [guitar description], [drum description], [structural notes], [mood] ``` ### Working examples > 90s grunge rock in E minor at 120 BPM, raspy male vocals, distorted guitars and pounding drums, quiet verse loud chorus dynamic, melancholic but defiant > Classic rock at 110 BPM, blues-rock guitar riffs, powerful male vocals, tight drums and bass, anthemic chorus, energetic and confident ## Cinematic / Orchestral Cinematic music needs detailed structure and emotional arc descriptions. ### Template ``` Cinematic orchestral piece in [key], starts with [opening instrument], [instruments] enter at [time], full orchestra by [time], [climax description], [mood evolution] ``` ### Working examples > Cinematic orchestral piece in D minor, starts with solo piano at 0:00, strings enter at 0:30, full orchestra by 1:00, dramatic climax with brass at 1:45, melancholic but hopeful > Epic film score, percussion-driven, taiko drums and brass, builds intensity throughout, triumphant climax, heroic and powerful ## Jazz Jazz prompts work best with subgenre and instrumentation specificity. ### Template ``` [Subgenre] jazz, [tempo description], featuring [instrument list], [mood], [solo instrument] solos ``` ### Working examples > Smooth jazz, slow tempo, featuring saxophone and Rhodes piano with brushed drums and upright bass, late-night mood, sax takes the lead > Bebop jazz at fast tempo, featuring trumpet and piano with walking bass, energetic and complex, trumpet solos throughout ## Classical Classical needs era and form specifications. ### Template ``` [Era] classical piece in [form], [key] key, featuring [instruments], [tempo marking], [mood] ``` ### Working examples > Baroque chamber music in sonata form, A minor key, featuring solo violin with harpsichord accompaniment, allegro tempo, energetic and ornate > Romantic era piano piece in nocturne form, E-flat major, solo piano, slow and expressive tempo, dreamy and melancholic ## Hip Hop / Trap Modern hip hop benefits from beat description and vocal style. ### Template ``` [Subgenre] beat at [80-100] BPM, [bass description], [drum description], [melodic element], [vocal style if applicable], [mood] ``` ### Working examples > Trap beat at 140 BPM (half time feel), 808 bass, hi-hat rolls and snares, dark piano melody, no vocals, ominous and atmospheric > Boom bap hip hop at 90 BPM, vinyl drum samples, jazz sample, no vocals, nostalgic 90s vibe ## Country / Folk Country and folk benefit from regional descriptors and instrumentation specificity. ### Template ``` [Subgenre] in [tempo description], featuring [acoustic instruments], [vocal style], [theme], [mood] ``` ### Working examples > Modern country ballad at 75 BPM, acoustic guitar and pedal steel, male vocals with slight twang, heartbreak theme, melancholic and sincere > Indie folk at 90 BPM, fingerpicked acoustic guitar with light banjo, soft female vocals, nature theme, peaceful and reflective ## Ambient Ambient music needs texture and atmosphere descriptions over melody. ### Template ``` Ambient [subgenre], [texture description], [drone or pad description], [field recording elements], very slow evolution, [mood] ``` ### Working examples > Ambient drone, lush warm pads, slow evolving textures, distant field recordings of rain, very slow tempo, peaceful and meditative > Dark ambient, deep bass drones, scraping metallic textures, no melody, foreboding and mysterious ## R\&B / Soul R\&B benefits from production era references and vocal direction. ### Template ``` [Era] R&B at [70-100] BPM, smooth [vocal description] vocals, [instrument list], [groove description], [mood] ``` ### Working examples > 90s R\&B at 85 BPM, smooth female vocals with harmonies, electric piano and warm bass, gentle drum machine, romantic and intimate > Modern neo-soul at 80 BPM, soulful male vocals, vintage Rhodes piano, live drums and bass, jazzy chords, contemplative and warm ## Quick reference table | Genre | Critical descriptors | | --------- | --------------------------------------------------- | | Lo-fi | vinyl crackle, brushed drums, jazz piano, no vocals | | Pop | structure cues, vocal style, era reference | | EDM | exact BPM, drop timing, subgenre | | Rock | era, vocal style, guitar tone, drum dynamics | | Cinematic | opening instrument, build timeline, climax point | | Jazz | subgenre, instrument list, solo instrument | | Classical | era, form, key, instrumentation | | Hip Hop | BPM, beat type, sample style | | Folk | acoustic instruments, theme, vocal warmth | | Ambient | texture, atmosphere, very slow evolution | | R\&B | production era, vocal smoothness, groove | ## Next steps * [Best Prompts for AI Music](/docs/ai-music-generation/best-prompts.md) — General prompting strategy * [Generate Your First AI Song](/docs/ai-music-generation/generate-first-song.md) — Step-by-step tutorial [Try MusicWave free →](https://www.musicwave.ai) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. 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