Style Prompt Guide
Master style prompts for AI music. Control genre, tempo, mood & instrumentation. Advanced techniques for professional custom music generation.
What is a Style Prompt?
A Style Prompt (also called Custom Mode) gives you precise control over the musical style, genre, instrumentation, and production characteristics of your AI-generated song. Unlike Simple Mode (Text to Song), Style Prompts let you specify exactly how you want your music to sound.
For Advanced Users
Style Prompts are perfect when you have a specific sonic vision and want detailed control over the music production elements.
Style Prompt Components
A comprehensive style prompt typically includes:
1. Genre Foundation
Start with the primary genre or style:
Indie pop, Alternative rock, Electronic dance, Jazz fusion2. Instrumentation
Specify the instruments you want to hear:
acoustic guitar, piano, synthesizers, drum machine, strings3. Production Style
Describe the production characteristics:
lo-fi production, polished studio sound, raw and gritty, ambient atmosphere4. Vocal Style
Define the vocal approach:
male vocals, female harmonies, rap verses, melodic singing, whispered delivery5. Tempo and Energy
Indicate the pace and intensity:
upbeat tempo, slow ballad, mid-tempo groove, high energy, relaxed vibeBuilding Your Style Prompt
Basic Structure
[Genre] + [Key Instruments] + [Production Style] + [Vocal Style] + [Mood/Energy]Example Breakdown
Let's build a style prompt step by step:
Choose Your Genre
Indie folkAdd Instrumentation
Indie folk, acoustic guitar, banjo, light percussionDefine Production
Indie folk, acoustic guitar, banjo, light percussion, warm analog productionSpecify Vocals
Indie folk, acoustic guitar, banjo, light percussion, warm analog production, intimate male vocalsSet the Mood
Indie folk, acoustic guitar, banjo, light percussion, warm analog production, intimate male vocals, nostalgic and heartfeltStyle Prompt Examples
Pop & Contemporary
Modern pop, synthesizers, electronic drums, layered vocals, polished production, catchy hooks, upbeat and energeticDream pop, reverb-drenched guitars, ethereal synths, soft female vocals, atmospheric production, dreamy and introspectiveSynth-pop, vintage synthesizers, drum machines, vocoder effects, 80s-inspired production, nostalgic and danceableRock & Alternative
Alternative rock, distorted electric guitars, driving bass, powerful drums, raw male vocals, gritty production, intense and emotionalIndie rock, jangly guitars, steady bass, crisp drums, melodic vocals, lo-fi aesthetic, upbeat and carefreePost-rock, ambient guitars, atmospheric layers, minimal drums, instrumental, cinematic production, epic and expansiveElectronic & Dance
House music, four-on-the-floor beats, deep bass, piano stabs, soulful vocal samples, club-ready mix, energetic and upliftingAmbient electronic, soft pads, subtle beats, field recordings, minimal vocals, spacious production, meditative and calmFuture bass, bright synths, trap-influenced drums, vocal chops, modern production, melodic and euphoricHip-Hop & R&B
Boom bap hip-hop, vinyl samples, punchy drums, deep bass, confident rap vocals, classic production, gritty and authenticContemporary R&B, smooth synths, trap-influenced beats, layered harmonies, polished production, sensual and sophisticatedLo-fi hip-hop, jazzy samples, mellow beats, vinyl crackle, no vocals, chill production, relaxing and nostalgicAcoustic & Folk
Singer-songwriter, fingerpicked acoustic guitar, subtle strings, intimate vocals, natural production, vulnerable and honestBluegrass, banjo, fiddle, upright bass, mandolin, harmonized vocals, live recording feel, energetic and traditionalContemporary folk, acoustic instruments, light percussion, male and female harmonies, organic production, warm and invitingAdvanced Techniques
Combining Genres
You can blend multiple genres for unique results:
Electro-folk fusion, acoustic guitar with electronic beats, synth pads, organic and synthetic blend, innovative and freshJazz-hop, jazz piano samples, hip-hop beats, upright bass, smooth and sophisticated, chill and groovySpecifying Era or Influence
Reference specific time periods or artists (without naming them directly):
90s alternative rock sound, grunge-influenced guitars, raw production, angsty vocals70s disco vibes, funky bass, string sections, four-on-the-floor beats, glamorous productionDetailed Production Notes
For precise control, add production details:
Indie electronic, analog synthesizers, tape saturation, vinyl warmth, subtle distortion, vintage drum machines, nostalgic lo-fi aestheticTips for Effective Style Prompts
1. Use Commas to Separate Elements
Commas help the AI parse different components of your prompt:
Synthwave, retro synthesizers, driving bass, electronic drums, nostalgic 80s vibeLearn More
See Should My Style Prompt Use Commas? for detailed guidance on punctuation.
2. Be Specific But Not Restrictive
Give clear direction without over-constraining the AI:
✅ Good: Warm acoustic guitar, gentle percussion
❌ Too Restrictive: Exactly 3 acoustic guitars tuned to drop D with capo on 2nd fret
3. Balance Technical and Emotional
Combine technical specifications with emotional descriptors:
Shoegaze rock, wall of distorted guitars, dreamy vocals buried in the mix, ethereal and overwhelming4. Consider the Full Mix
Think about how all elements work together:
- Foreground: Lead vocals, main melody
- Midground: Rhythm section, supporting instruments
- Background: Atmosphere, ambient elements
Common Mistakes
❌ Too Vague
Electronic musicNeeds more specific details about style, tempo, mood
❌ Contradictory Elements
Aggressive death metal, gentle and soothingChoose consistent elements that work together
❌ Overly Complex
Indie folk rock jazz fusion with elements of classical baroque, electronic ambient, and traditional Celtic music, featuring 15 different instrumentsToo many competing elements - simplify your vision
✅ Well-Balanced
Chillwave, vintage synthesizers, lo-fi beats, dreamy vocals, nostalgic 80s aesthetic, relaxed and atmosphericStyle Prompt Templates
Template 1: Genre-Focused
[Primary Genre], [Key Instruments], [Vocal Style], [Production Quality], [Mood]Example:
Bedroom pop, lo-fi guitar, soft vocals, DIY production, intimate and vulnerableTemplate 2: Mood-Driven
[Emotional Goal], [Genre], [Instrumentation], [Tempo], [Additional Details]Example:
Melancholic and reflective, indie folk, acoustic guitar and cello, slow tempo, rainy day atmosphereTemplate 3: Production-Focused
[Genre], [Production Style], [Key Sounds], [Vocal Approach], [Energy Level]Example:
Synthpop, polished 80s production, bright synths and drum machines, catchy vocal melodies, high energyTesting Your Style Prompts
Start with Core Elements
Begin with genre, 2-3 key instruments, and basic mood
Listen and Evaluate
Generate a song and assess what works and what doesn't
Refine Iteratively
Add or modify elements based on the results
Save Successful Prompts
Keep a library of style prompts that produce great results
Example Refinement Process
Version 1 (Basic)
Electronic music, synthesizers, upbeatResult: Too generic, lacks character
Version 2 (Improved)
Synthwave, retro synthesizers, driving beats, 80s nostalgiaResult: Better direction, but needs more detail
Version 3 (Refined)
Synthwave, vintage analog synthesizers, punchy drum machines, arpeggiators, neon-soaked 80s aesthetic, energetic and nostalgicResult: Clear vision with specific sonic elements - excellent!
Combining with Lyrics
Style prompts work great with custom lyrics. The style defines how the song sounds, while lyrics define what it says:
Style: Acoustic indie folk, fingerpicked guitar, harmonica, warm vocals, campfire vibe
Lyrics: [Your custom lyrics here]Next Steps
Genre & Style List
Explore our comprehensive list of genres and styles
108 Dance Music Prompts
Ready-to-use prompts for electronic dance music
Song Structure Tags
Control your song's arrangement with metatags
Quick Reference
Essential Elements Checklist
- Primary genre
- 2-4 key instruments
- Vocal style (if applicable)
- Production characteristics
- Tempo/energy level
- Mood/atmosphere
Style Prompt Formula
[Genre] + [Instruments] + [Production] + [Vocals] + [Mood] = Custom Style PromptPro Tip
Save your favorite style prompts! You can reuse them with different lyrics or themes to maintain a consistent sound across multiple songs.
Start Creating Now!
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