The Ultimate Suno AI Guide: Tips, Tricks & Prompts to Make Real-Feeling Songs!

Master Suno AI: Tips and Tricks to Create Your Best Songs Yet!

Suno AI has taken music creation to a whole new level, letting you craft songs with AI in ways that feel both real and personal. With the right approach, you can create songs that feel authentic and even unique to your style. This guide will take you through all the tips, tricks, and hacks you need to get the most out of Suno AI, from advanced formatting and artist-inspired prompts to special tricks that add effects, layers, and even specific vocal styles. Let’s dive into everything you need to know to make amazing music with Suno AI!

Step 1: Visualize Your Song's Feel Before Starting

Think of your song’s vibe before you even touch Suno AI. Imagine the genre, the mood, and the story you want to tell. Is it a chill folk tune, a cinematic anthem, or maybe a dark, moody track? Picture the energy, the instruments, and even the specific artist or style you’re trying to capture. When you go in with a clear vision, you guide the AI instead of letting it guide you, leading to music that truly feels like your creation.

Step 2: Structure Your Song Using Advanced Formatting

Formatting in Suno AI is more than just adding sections to your song. Think of it as your toolkit for creating a dynamic and professional-sounding track, even if you’re working with AI. With the right use of asterisks, capitalization, and brackets, you can bring unique textures and energy to each part of your song. Here’s how each formatting trick works and why it’s so powerful.

Asterisks for Sound Effects and Ambience

Using asterisks around specific words creates sound effects and can help set the mood. For example, if you want the sound of gunshots in a dramatic scene, type *gunshots* to cue this effect. Want the soft hum of a crowded café or the distant rumble of thunder? Try *café ambience* or *thunder*. These cues help bring your song’s atmosphere to life, layering in subtle sounds that add depth and pull listeners into your world. Try effects like *rainfall* for a softer, reflective vibe or *crowd cheering* for a high-energy live feel.

Capitalization for Vocal Emphasis

Need a line to hit hard, louder, or with more emotional emphasis? Write it in ALL CAPS and add punctuation for extra impact. For example, if you want the chorus to stand out, try “I’M NEVER LOOKING BACK!”. Capitalization in Suno AI instructs the AI to alter the tone and volume, creating vocals that sound more passionate or intense than the rest. This is especially effective for punchy choruses or emotional lines. Caps can also change the dynamics in verses; mix them with other text for a whisper-to-yell effect that adds tension and drama.

Brackets for Structure and Flow

Brackets are essential for structuring your song and defining each section’s style. By adding [Intro], [Verse], [Chorus], or [Bridge], you guide the AI through the song's flow, helping it recognize and transition between sections seamlessly. But don’t stop at basic structure—try creative tags like [Crescendo] to build intensity, [Whispered Verse] for a quiet, haunting tone, or [Guitar Solo] to cue an instrumental break. Brackets can also set the tone within sections, so experiment with [High Energy], [Melancholy Vibes], or [Soft Outro] to shape how each part feels.

Combining Formatting Tricks for Unique Results

Combine these techniques to create standout moments in your song. For example, start with [Whispered Verse] followed by [Chorus - ALL CAPS] and add *thunder* to amplify the drama. Layering formats makes the AI interpret each cue more dynamically, resulting in songs that feel professionally structured and creatively complex.

Using these formatting tricks, you can turn your song from basic to epic, giving Suno AI precise instructions to create powerful, engaging music with just a few formatting details.

Step 3: Choose an Artist Style to Guide the AI

Suno AI can adapt to various artist-inspired styles. If you’re going for a specific sound, mentioning an artist can guide the AI towards that vibe. Here’s a larger list of artist styles to inspire your prompts:

1. Drake – Hip Hop, Trap, introspective male vocals
2. Billie Eilish – Dark Pop, Minimalist, haunting female vocals
3. Fleetwood Mac – Classic Rock, Dreamy Harmonies
4. The Weeknd – Dark, Cinematic R&B, smooth male vocals
5. Taylor Swift – Pop, Emotional Folk, storytelling female vocals
6. Kanye West – Progressive Hip Hop, Experimental, male vocals
7. Adele – Soul, Torch-Lounge, powerful female vocals
8. Ariana Grande – Ethereal Pop, R&B, high-range female vocals
9. Coldplay – Atmospheric Rock, Melodic, emotional vocals
10. Beyoncé – R&B, Anthemic, Empowering, female vocals
11. Frank Ocean – Neo-Soul, Introspective, male vocals
12. Elton John – Piano Pop Rock, Theatrical, classic male vocals
13. Bruno Mars – Funk, Dance Pop, Groovy, male vocals
14. Ed Sheeran – Acoustic Folk Pop, personal storytelling, male vocals
15. Dua Lipa – Disco Pop, Dance, energetic female vocals
16. Lady Gaga – Theatrical Pop, Dance, bold female vocals
17. Harry Styles – Pop Rock, Groovy, male vocals
18. Justin Bieber – Pop, Chill, male vocals
19. Rihanna – R&B, Dance Pop, sultry female vocals
20. Michael Jackson – Iconic Pop, Dance, powerful male vocals
21. Nirvana – Grunge, Dark, raw male vocals
22. Shakira – Latin Pop, Festive, female vocals
23. Kendrick Lamar – Hip Hop, Storytelling, Lyrical, male vocals
24. Björk – Alternative, Experimental, unique female vocals
25. Bob Dylan – Folk, Acoustic Guitar, poetic male vocals
26. Post Malone – Rap, Chillwave, smooth male vocals
27. Lana Del Rey – Cinematic Pop, Sadcore, nostalgic female vocals
28. The Chainsmokers – EDM, Dance, upbeat, male vocals
29. Metallica – Heavy Metal, intense, powerful male vocals
30. Tame Impala – Psychedelic Rock, Dreamy, male vocals
31. Florence + The Machine – Indie Rock, Dramatic, female vocals
32. Green Day – Pop Punk, Energetic, male vocals
33. Bob Marley – Reggae, Chill, Peaceful, male vocals
34. Amy Winehouse – Soul, Jazz, Torch-Lounge, female vocals
35. The Strokes – Indie Rock, Cool, male vocals
36. David Bowie – Glam Rock, Eclectic, iconic male vocals
37. Whitney Houston – Soulful Pop, R&B, powerful female vocals
38. Madonna – Pop Icon, High Energy, female vocals
39. Imagine Dragons – Rock, Anthemic, strong male vocals
40. Linkin Park – Nu Metal, Emotional, intense male vocals
41. Maroon 5 – Pop Rock, Catchy, male vocals
42. Miley Cyrus – Pop Rock, edgy, powerful female vocals
43. Jay-Z – Hip Hop, Assertive, Storytelling, male vocals
44. Lizzo – Funk Pop, Empowering, female vocals
45. SZA – R&B, Neo-Soul, deep female vocals
46. Nicki Minaj – Rap, Bold, playful female vocals
47. The Beatles – Classic Rock, Melodic, male harmonies
48. Daft Punk – Electronic, Futuristic, male robotic vocals
49. Travis Scott – Rap, Atmospheric, male vocals
50. Bon Iver – Indie Folk, Ethereal, gentle male vocals

Include an artist’s name or genre in your prompt to steer the AI in that direction (e.g., “Dreamy Pop in the style of Lana Del Rey”). The more specific you are, the closer Suno AI will get to capturing the vibe of that artist in your music.

Step 4: Organize Song Parts with Meta Tags

Meta tags are essential tools in Suno AI that help define each part of your song, ensuring the AI captures the right structure, flow, and intensity. These tags work like stage directions, letting the AI know exactly how each section should feel and transition. By getting comfortable with meta tags, you’ll be able to create songs that feel cohesive and have a professional polish. Here’s a breakdown of the most useful meta tags and how to use them effectively.

Structural Tags for Flow and Form

Think of structural tags as the skeleton of your song. Use [Intro], [Verse], [Chorus], [Bridge], and [Outro] to outline each section and guide the AI in creating a clear, organized structure. For example, [Intro] cues a warm-up, while [Outro] signals a smooth ending. These tags help the AI move from one section to another without losing the flow, giving your song a natural build-up and release.

You can also get creative with structural tags by specifying styles within each part. For instance, try [Chorus - High Energy] or [Verse - Whispered] to define not only the section but also the intensity or vocal style. Adding descriptors like [Pre-Chorus] or [Post-Chorus] can further enhance the song’s build-up and create anticipation before the main chorus.

Vocal & Instrument Tags for Depth

Vocal and instrument tags allow you to customize each part of the song with specific sounds and textures. By adding tags like [Female Vocals], [Male Vocals], [Electric Guitar Solo], or [Soft Piano Intro], you can control the type of sound that defines each section. These tags work especially well in the chorus and bridge, where the mood often shifts.

For a layered, richer sound, consider tags such as [Background Harmonies] or [Echoing Vocals]. This approach gives your song more complexity, making it sound like a fully produced track rather than a simple loop.

Dynamic Tags for Emotional Impact

Dynamic tags control the energy and intensity within each section, allowing you to create moments that hit hard or feel delicate. Use [Powerful Outro] for a dramatic finish or [Gentle Fade Out] to cue a gradual ending. You can also try [Build Up] or [Crescendo] to increase intensity as the song progresses, keeping listeners engaged and adding emotional depth.

Experiment with tags like [Soft Bridge] for a reflective moment or [Catchy Hook] to emphasize a memorable line. Each dynamic tag tells Suno AI how to shape the mood and flow, making each part feel intentional and well-produced.

Using meta tags with care helps Suno AI understand your song's roadmap, giving you a song that feels complete, layered, and authentically yours.

Step 5: Experiment with Spoken Word and Layered Vocals

Adding spoken word elements and layered vocals to your song can give it a unique and textured feel that stands out from traditional AI-generated music. Here’s how to incorporate these elements in Suno AI to elevate your song’s impact and variety.

Spoken Word for a Personal Touch

Using spoken word is a great way to break up singing sections and add storytelling or conversational vibes to your song. To do this, add tags like [Spoken Word], [Narration], or [Spoken Verse]. Alternatively, put the text in parentheses, like (This is our story, beginning to end). This prompts the AI to interpret the text as spoken rather than sung, setting a distinct tone that draws listeners in with a raw, personal feel. Spoken intros work particularly well for setting the mood before the main song kicks in or as a reflective moment in a bridge.

Spoken word sections also let you experiment with phrases that may not fit into a melody but still convey a powerful message, adding depth to your song’s narrative.

Layered Vocals for Complexity

Layering vocals adds richness and texture, making your song feel fully produced. To create layered vocals, add secondary lyrics or effects in parentheses next to the main lyrics, like “Sing along (harmony here)”. This can create background harmonies or echoing vocals that enhance the main melody. Try using [Echoing Vocals] or [Whispered Backing] to add vocal layers that make each section feel fuller and more engaging.

Combining spoken word and layered vocals gives your song added complexity, making it sound professional, emotionally engaging, and unique.

Step 6: Bypass Language Restrictions with Creative Word Choices

Suno AI has some content filters, but with small tweaks, you can still get your message across. Here are a few easy swaps:

• Replace “kill” with “ill” or “chill”
• Swap “hell” with “well” or “yell”

These changes let you keep the feel of your lyrics without triggering the AI’s content filters. Just a small word choice can make a big difference!

Step 7: Specify Chord Progressions & Keys

Adding chord progressions and keys to your Suno AI prompts helps guide the AI to create songs that fit your specific musical vision. Although Suno AI’s handling of complex musical instructions is still developing, you can still achieve a closer sound to your desired style by mentioning keys and progressions.

To guide the AI, try adding a specific key with mood indicators. For example, for a melancholy feel, you might prompt: “Lo-fi in A Minor, Melancholic” or “Soulful Pop, Key: D Major, Uplifting”. This setting gives your song a defined musical identity and ensures that the underlying tone matches your intended mood.

You can also suggest a chord progression to give the AI a framework for building the song’s structure. For example, “Guitar Ballad with Am, F, C, G progression” or “Funky in E Major: E7, A7, B7”. These cues help the AI develop chord patterns that match your musical concept, making your song sound intentional and more polished.

Combining keys with mood descriptors like “mysterious” or “bright” can further refine the tone, adding emotional depth to the song and helping Suno AI produce something more aligned with your unique sound.

Step 8: Write Your Own Lyrics for Authenticity

Even though Suno AI can generate lyrics, nothing beats the personal touch of writing your own. Think about what you want to say—whether it’s a story, an emotion, or an idea—and let that guide your lyrics. Not only does this make your song feel more authentic, but it also gives the AI a solid foundation to work with. When you write from your own experiences, your song feels real and will resonate with listeners.

Step 9: Tweak and Experiment with Prompts

Suno AI doesn’t always hit the right vibe on the first try, so don’t be afraid to tweak and experiment. Sometimes adding extra descriptors or rearranging the tags will give you a stronger result. For example, start with a prompt like “Dreamy Pop” and adjust to “Ethereal, Dreamy Pop with Soft Vocals” if you’re not getting the sound you want. Small changes to wording can make a big difference in the final product.

Step 10: Plan for a Smooth Ending

Nothing ruins a great track like an abrupt ending. To make sure your song has a natural conclusion, use tags like [Fade Out] or [End]. If you want the song to gradually lower in intensity, try [Gentle Fade Out]. This small addition helps the song sound polished and complete, keeping listeners engaged from start to finish.

Additional Tips: Add Effects and Tricks for Extra Magic

• Use the Vowel Extension Technique: If you want a longer, drawn-out vocal, add multiple vowels like this: “lo-o-o-o-ove.” This technique works well for melodic sections like the chorus.
• Trigger Background Layers with Parentheses: Adding words in parentheses (like this) can create background layers, harmonies, or instrumental effects that make your song richer.
• Specify Instrumental Breaks: Want an instrumental solo? Use tags like [Guitar Solo] or [Piano Solo] to give the AI specific directions for an instrumental break.
• Artist & Genre Combos: Mix genres and artists to create unique vibes. Try “Dreamy Pop meets Indie Rock” or “Heavy Metal with Cinematic, Emotional Vocals.” These combos push the AI to get creative with style blending.
• Set the Mood with Descriptive Tags: Words like “uplifting,” “melancholy,” or “energizing” tell the AI what kind of emotional impact you’re going for, making it easier to match the vibe you want.

Creating music with Suno AI is all about experimentation, creativity, and just a little bit of AI magic. With these tips and tricks, you’re now fully equipped to guide the AI in ways that make your songs sound authentic and totally unique. Each element you add—whether it’s a powerful outro, soft spoken word intro, or those carefully chosen chord progressions—shapes your song and makes it feel like your own creation.

So go ahead, get creative with your prompts, add those asterisks for cool effects, and don’t hold back on the personal lyrics. Remember, you’re the one steering the ship, and Suno AI is just here to make your musical visions come to life. And if the first try isn’t perfect? No worries. Play around with different tags and prompts, and let each new version bring you closer to that perfect track. For more AI music hacks, inspiration, and pro-level tips, keep tuning into Woke Waves. Now, go create some unforgettable tunes! 🎶

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