Knowledge can impede creativity.
Like many musicians, growing up I was more interested in playing and writing music than understanding music theory. I’ve used many tools to circumvent my lack of understanding music on a fundamental level, but a desire to have them compiled into a single application came after years of cycling through countless tools.
PROBLEM
Dozens of online resources help aid musicians in song writing, but few consider all ends of composing music for users with varying experience.
Solution
Build upon the ideas of existing apps and condense into a single intuitive and responsive music writing experience that maintains ‘child-like’ creativity while navigating chord theory to create inspired and moving music.
MARKET RESEARCH
There is a wealth of resources online with a scope that can often discourage new musicians considering how many different opinions and perspectives are available to those looking. The truth is that writing music is an individual journey that everyone will have a different approach to. Lots of resources are aimed at helping beginners, but little have an all inclusive aim to help both new and experienced musicians write and learn music theory.
AutoChords displays pre-loaded moods and chord progressions- these are great for beginners, but quickly grow stale due to the inability to edit these progressions.
Suggestor lays out all chord possibilities. Marketed for advanced use, this app gives little direction in what works musically or how to play the chords.
ChordBank offers every way to play any chord, but has no part in creating chord progressions.
These apps all fit their own niche, but dance around what could be- a songwriting tool that guides new and experienced musicians to write better music.
PERSONA
Wireframe
User Testing
Inital prototype
user feedback
With an initial prototype, I sought out musicians to help me get some input on things that I can refine.
““Honestly, I’m pretty new to guitar, and when writing sometimes I find a cool chord but don’t know what it is. I want to make a progression from this chord but don’t know which I’m playing””
““My ear can tell me what sounds good, but knowing where to take a progression from there can be tough. Having all the chords laid out and being able to hear what they sound like would be a game changer””
After gathering this feedback, I went to implement a key identifier and looked to expand the chord possibilities while keeping the interface simple enough for new and experienced musicians. Their insight was valuable because Eli is still learning the ropes where as Elijah has been playing for years- but both are deeply invested in writing music and were excited to give me feedback on an app that helped them do just that. Eli’s lack of experience sets him close to our target persona that is looking for powerful apps for entry into writing and learning music.
Emotion Mapping
UI Features
Key Identifier
Already have an idea started? Identify the key of what you have in your hands by playing while the app is listening and start a progression from the Identify section. This can be used to start a progression, or simply to learn which chords are which.
Learn Chords
New to an instrument? Trying to learn another one? Structure makes learning chords simple by highlighting the essential features of a chord to help guide the user to pursue a deeper understanding of chord structure instead of simply learning where to place their fingers. Outlining the root note, the scale of the key, and the notes you are playing provide more musical context than tablature ever could.
Edit Progressions with Live Feedback
Points of tension followed by resolutions give progressions weight and movement. While crafting a progression, Structure will identify the points of tension and resolution dependent on the context of the key and its other chords. Seeing how these chords work out in real time is invaluable for both new and experienced musicians- visualizing how chords relate to one another can help explain what makes it sound good to the ear.
