We have all been there - staring at a blank score or empty DAW session, frustratedly cursing at the music gods. When I am unsure how to start a piece or develop a musical idea, I like to employ various techniques involving random number generation. These prompts provide the little "push" that is often required to get the creative process going.

All of these prompts involve using the free website, https://www.random.org/.

Prompt 1: Create A Melody By Using Number String Integers As Scale Degrees

These first three prompts will use the Random String Generator feature.

Generate 1 random string. Each string should be 10 characters long. All numbers shall be interpreted as scale degrees. Any zeros shall be interpreted as 1 step below scale degree 1, and all 8s and 9s shall be interpreted as the octave and 9th above scale degree 1. Select any pitch to be your tonic, and convert the numbers to pitches.

Take the following number string: 1081438323. Assuming that your tonic is "C," your number string will turn into the following pitches: C4-B3-C5-C4-F4-E4-C5-E4-D4-E4. Use these pitches as the notes of your melody.

Prompt 2: Create A Rhythmic Sequence Using Number String Integers As Rhythmic Duration

Generate 1 random string. Each string should be 10 characters long. All numbers shall be interpreted as a rhythmic duration of a chord in 8th notes. Any zeros should be interpreted as a rest or brief pause.

Take the following number string: 2852078594. Chord one will be 2 8th notes long, chord two will be 8 8th notes long, chord three will be 5 8th notes long, and so on.

Prompt 3: Use Number String Integers As The Duration Of Individual Looping Parts

Generate 1 random string. Each string should be 10 characters long. Each number shall be interpreted as the duration (in measures) of a particular instrument's part. Any zeros should be ignored.

Take the following number string: 3627684624. Instrument 1's part will be 3 measures long, instrument 2's part will be 6 measures long, instrument 3's part will be 2 measures long, and so on.

Each part is to be looped indefinitely. This will create a continuously evolving texture as each part continues to loop back at different points.

Prompt 4: Create Chords or Clusters From Integer Sets

These next four prompts will use the Random Integer Set Generator feature.

Generate 10 sets with 4 unique random integers each. Each integer should have a value between 1 and 7 (for use as scale degrees) or 1 and 12 (for use pitch class integers). Each of the generated sets can be used as pitches in a chord, cluster, or tone set.

Prompt 5: Use Integer Sets To Determine Ensemble Sizes Across Multiple Pieces

Generate 1 set with 5 unique random integers. The number of unique integers can be changed to match the number of pieces in your album or suite. Each integer should have a value between 1 and 25. Uncheck the box that says "sort the members of each set in ascending order" to randomize the order of the numbers in the set.

If, for example, you get the set of 7, 2, 22, 15, 3; that means that your first piece will have 7 instruments, your second piece will have 2, your third will have 22, and so on.

Prompt 6: Use Integer Sets To Determine The Number Of Instruments From Each Family

Generate 1 set with 5 unique random integers. Each integer should have a value between 1 and 6. Uncheck the box that says "sort the members of each set in ascending order" to randomize the order of the numbers in the set.

If, for example, you get the set of 3, 2, 4, 1, 5; the number of instruments per family would look like this:

Woodwinds: 3

Brass: 2

Percussion: 4

Voices: 1

Strings: 5

Prompt 7: Use Integer Sets To Structure The Musical Form

Generate 1 set with 4 unique random integers. Each integer should have a value between 20 and 50. Uncheck the box that says "sort the members of each set in ascending order" to randomize the order of the numbers in the set.

If, for example, you get the set of 23, 33, 44, 36, that means that your form would be structured thus:

Section 1: 23 measures

Section 2: 33 measures

Section 3: 44 measures

Section 4: 36 measures

Conclusion

All of these prompts can be used merely as jumping off points. Once you have followed the prompt, you can (and should!) tweak the results as you see fit. My hope here is that by following these prompts, you will be able to take your music into fascinating new directions that you would have otherwise been unable to.

About The Author

I am Ethan Toavs, and my music is all about exploring new worlds! I specialize in combining cinematic styles with influences from a variety of cultures, and employing unorthodox methods of composing. I have a master's degree in Contemporary Media & Film Composition from the Eastman School of Music, and a bachelor's degree in Music from Coastal Carolina University. If you are a filmmaker or other creator who wants music that breathes life into the worlds of your characters and stories, then please reach out to me.

Have thoughts on this blog post? Feel free to chat with me about it in my Discord server!