AI Influence /Assist/ Concern in Music Industry and its Effect on ITC Music Demo Creation
There is a pervasive “Scarlet Letter” attitude which has really hit the entire music industry involving the emerging powerful use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Music creation, streaming/distribution and, perhaps unfair monetary rewards for untrained lyricist and musicians. The livelihood of musicians is, rightly or wrongly, threatened by this new artificial means which rivals their best efforts cheaply, quickly and easily.
Before I go on any further, I would like to CATAGORILY DECLARE THAT I HAVE NOT USED ANY AI ASSISTANCE THROUGH SUNO IN DEVELOPING THE LYRICS FOR ANY OF MY DEMOS. More than half of my songs were written back in the 1993-95 time frame and registered by BMI long before AI & SUNO were even developed. I have carried that through to today with this 2026 update of new and more exciting material in various genres.
Being 78 years old, I have lost any musical performance skills. However, my UCLA EXTENSION Songwriting & Music Business training in the 1990’s and having kept close attention to the Country music industry have kept my ear and sense of song structure and sound very keen. But I guess you’ll be the judge of that.
I use SUNO to provide sample music to duplicate my lyric and rhyme structure, and my myriads of specific Prompts, pacing’s, dramatic effects, vocal directions and specific singing duties, etc. outlined in manipulating the AI system. It’s been a long frustrating process most of the time with long, arduous days and nights, where I have gone though literally hundreds and hundreds of trashed SUNO samplings to capture just the right wording and pronunciation and meter and specific Prompted features to achieve what you hear in each song, and each version of that song. On that note, SUNO has, therefore, allowed me to uniquely provide many various genres, tempo, vocal differences, etc. without huge costs and time to allow you to hear for yourself all the potential of each song given you various artists or sync needs. And at 78, time is of the essence!,
Back in the 90’s and even recently I used various great Nashville Demo providers. But in each case I sent my lyrics and a scratchy vocal on a tape of the melody and waited weeks and weeks to get a single demo of a song with no in-process input, or enhancement, or any change to try various sound, processes or techniques. I used real musicians and real singers, but they were all nameless “Work-For-Hire” participants. Sounds pretty familiar with what SUNO quickly provides for creativity without great expense?
Anyhow, NASI and American Songwriter have now succumb to treating any AI user with the sigmatism of a lower class member who can no longer receive “One to Watch” accolades, Song Pitches or Songwriting Song Contest Awards:
Excerpt from NSAI Rules & Regulations - *Please note, any songs containing generative AI content affecting the composition of the song will not qualify for any competition or merit-based recognition opportunities (i.e. Ones to Watch, NSAI Member Awards, Top 40, NSAI Song Contest, Chapter Challenge, live pitch, live feedback events, etc.)”
While I think this is shameful, I still consider myself as a “Songwriter” and feel that time and process are going to overcome such unfortunate discrimination. I’m not the least ashamed to deem myself a “Songwriter” even if I can’t be a “Singer-Songwriter” and be able to perform my works. That’s why I am going through all the time and effort to connect with the Music industry to take my works and make them their own for both our gain.
Below, I recently came across one of many. many long, but inciteful, comments/postings from the Facebook SUNO & AI Creators Group on SUNO AI use , problems, frustrations and techniques as well as some negative industry responses. Below is one of many examples of even those who even are “Musicians” who responded to the Creators Group. If you have the time and the curiosity, this member has pretty much hit-the-nail-on-the head on how SUNO users feel.
Excerpts from Recent Facebook “SUMO & AI Music Creators” Grouping Comments (I’ll not name the author due to lacking permission)
…(Explained what prompted the Facebook Response)…
“I was raised by a professional touring pianist. I trained under music directors with doctorate degrees. I've spent a great deal of my adulthood as a professional singer-songwriter. I know both sides of the music industry, the struggling artist side and the gatekeeping business side. When that commenter said, "this isn't music" my skin crawled. I wanted to go back and ask them to define music this morning, but the post has been taken down. So, I will define it for them, if they happen to see this post.
Merriam-Webster: "MUSIC is vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony."
Dictionary.com: "any sweet, pleasing, or harmonious sounds or sound"
For the entirety of humankind, music has been created using everything from vocals, blowing air through a tree branch with holes, creating beats by banging on trash cans (anyone remember the Blue Man Group?) We've been imaginative in our endeavors to create sound like blowing into empty jugs and shaking bottles filled with rice.
Anyone here ever heard of a Theremin? It's an "instrument" that creates sound using only hands and frequencies.. hands that never actually touch the "instrument."
The point is, as humans, we know that music is created through frequency. We've learned how to control frequencies, harmonize them and bend them into what is pleasing to our ears.
What is AI music if not frequency? When I pull stems into my DAW, I have to EQ the frequencies that rise to high. WHY? Because they are not pleasing to our ears.
These people who think that music only comes from the vocal folds of a human or the plucking of a guitar string (which is ALWAYS manipulated by a processor --- which btw is an electronic device that digitizes and emulates various amplifiers, speaker cabinets, and effects pedals into one unit --- don't understand the definition of music to begin with.
… The attackers were horrid and ruthless. But, I want to say this. Right now, the music industry doesn't know what to do with AI generated music. They don't know how to fit it into what has always been the accepted norm... I get it. I'm not mad about it. I understand why professionally trained musicians feel incredibly proud of their training and accomplishments... having been able to achieve a level of skill that comes with a lifetime of devotion.. yet, here comes AI which (on the one hand) seems to completely invalidate the need and purpose of said training. From my point of view, it absolutely does not invalidate musical training at all. I've found that without understanding music, music theory, quality songwriting skill and understanding of poetry... AI lacks in its ability to produce quality. (what is quality?) IMO - Songs that withstand the test of time... not fads... not trends... let's be real. 1980's synthesized music had its place in history. It changed the musical landscape. AND... it removed the need for music training... but it didn't last.
Will AI generated music last? That's yet to be known. The court of public opinion will decide. But this time around, it is different.
I write songs. I use my piano. I record the vocals. In the past, when I didn't have a band to create stems, I used loops and samples to create the arranged output in my DAW. That output wasn't all human recorded instrumentations. Some, yes.. but not all. But.. it gave me the opportunity to hear the song in my head and decide if that's the direction that I wanted it to go. Now, I can take the same recordings, pop them into Suno, cover it, create the stems and pull them back into my DAW, add my vocals and piano to it and, again, decide if it's going in the right direction. But this time, AI is listening to my instructions and returning to me sounds that fit my ideas. I no longer have to hunt for the right loops, amend said loops into the right key and often times, I don't have change the EACH AND EVERY NOTE (TEDIOUS) to create the right riff or melody. It's made my life SO MUCH EASIER.
SO WHAT IS MUSIC? - vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony.
Now.. NEVER let anyone tell you again that you're not making music. You are. You have a collaborator now who listens and says.. I think I know what you want. Is this it? Out pops it's answer... Is it vocal? Is it instrumental? Is it a mechanical sound having rhythm, melody or harmony??????
Yes
Then it's music. PERIOD
Time will tell whether humans will put aside their pride and make room for AI generated music. I don't think we have a choice. I also believe that human sourced music, the musicians in a studio recording their craft, will always take the main stage (as it were). I can go on stage, sing and play my songs. Not everyone who uses AI can do that. So, I foresee the music industry breaking into two distinct groups.
Performers and Streamers.
The public will honor both, as we are seeing them do now. Streamers won't be able to book live gigs. Performers will sell concert tickets. That's not going away. Humans LOVE to hear live music whether at a local bar or Carnegie Hall. Humans have a need to connect with the artist behind the music. BUT... NOT EVERYONE SEEKS THAT CONNECTION. Some hear a song, love it, listen to it over and over again never asking "what is the story behind this artist" If they do? Tell your story... not a fabricated persona story. Let them connect with you.
So.. there's room for everyone.
If you love making music, whether at home with your guitar or at home with your computer.. make your music. Express yourself. Be true to the voice inside of you that is saying... I love this form of expression... WHATEVER IT IS (painting, wood crafting, poetry writing, xylophone, bells, WHATEVER)
BE YOU. DO YOU. NEVER STOP””