musical-dna

Musical DNA Analysis

Purpose

Extract descriptive musical characteristics from any artist or band without using their name, building a vocabulary of sonic qualities for AI music generation, music description, or creative recombination. Replace "sounds like [Artist]" with specific, technique-focused descriptions.

Core Principle

How, not who. Describe techniques, approaches, and sonic qualities rather than referencing artists. This enables:

• Ethical AI music generation
• Precise communication about sound
• Creative recombination of elements
• Genre-independent vocabulary

Quick Reference: Six Dimensions

Dimension	What to Analyze
Rhythmic Foundation	Drums, tempo, bass lines, time signatures
Harmonic Architecture	Chords, modes, progressions, melodies
Instrumental Techniques	Playing styles, effects, timbres
Production Aesthetics	Recording feel, mix, spatial treatment
Genre Fusion	Influence integration, innovation points
Energy Architecture	Song structure, dynamics, emotional trajectory

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Analysis Process

Step 1: Select Representative Tracks

Choose 3-5 tracks that capture:

• Their most recognizable sound
• Range across their catalog
• Both typical and boundary-pushing examples

Step 2: Systematic Deconstruction

Work through each dimension, focusing on specific techniques and approaches.

Step 3: Extract Prompt-Ready Phrases

Convert observations into standalone descriptive phrases that work without artist context.

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Dimension 1: Rhythmic Foundation

Drum Character

• Kit composition: Acoustic, electronic, hybrid, sampled
• Stick technique: Brushes, rods, mallets, standard sticks
• Snare approach: Rim shots, ghost notes, cross-stick, tight vs. ringy
• Kick pattern: Four-on-floor, syncopated, polyrhythmic, sparse
• Hi-hat work: Open/closed patterns, 16th note rides, swung
• Fill style: Busy, minimal, tom-heavy, snare rolls

Time & Tempo

• Time signatures: 4/4, 3/4, 6/8, odd meters (5/4, 7/8)
• Tempo range: Locked BPM or flexible? Fast, mid, slow?
• Subdivision emphasis: 8ths, 16ths, triplets, swung
• Polyrhythmic layering: Multiple meters happening simultaneously

Bass Line DNA

• Technique: Fingered, picked, slapped, synth, upright
• Role: Rhythmic anchor vs. melodic counterpoint
• Range: Sub-bass heavy, mid-focused, full range
• Kick relationship: Locked, complementary, independent

Example Phrases:

• "Driving 8th-note hi-hat over syncopated kick"
• "Slapped bass with muted ghost notes"
• "Swung triplet feel at 95 BPM"

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Dimension 2: Harmonic Architecture

Chord Progressions

• Major/minor balance: Predominantly one or mixed?
• Modal inflections: Dorian darkness, Mixolydian brightness
• Chromatic movement: Smooth voice leading, sudden shifts
• Chord density: Triads, 7ths, extended (9ths, 11ths, 13ths)
• Harmonic rhythm: Slow changes (1/bar) or rapid (2+/bar)

Tonal Centers

• Key preferences: Sharp keys, flat keys, open-string friendly
• Modulation: None, gradual, sudden, frequent
• Scale choices: Natural minor, harmonic minor, pentatonic, modes
• Dissonance tolerance: Clean resolution, lingering tension

Melodic Contour

• Range: Wide intervals or narrow
• Movement: Stepwise, leaping, arpeggiated
• Phrase length: Short punchy or long flowing
• Repetition balance: Hooks vs. development

Example Phrases:

• "Minor key with Dorian 6th inflection"
• "Slow harmonic rhythm, one chord per 4 bars"
• "Wide interval leaps in vocal melody"

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Dimension 3: Instrumental Techniques

Guitar Approaches

• Pickup selection: Bridge (bright), neck (warm), split
• Tone shaping: Treble-forward, mid-scoop, bass-heavy
• Technique: Fingerpicking, flatpicking, hybrid, percussive
• Tuning: Standard, drop D, open tunings, baritone

Effects Chain

• Distortion type: Overdrive, fuzz, high-gain, clean
• Time-based: Reverb (room, hall, plate), delay (analog, digital, tape)
• Modulation: Chorus, phaser, flanger, tremolo, vibrato
• Pitch: Octave, harmonizer, whammy
• Dynamics: Compression (heavy, light, none)

Other Instruments

• Keys/synth: Analog warmth, digital precision, organ, piano
• Percussion: Auxiliary (tambourine, shaker), world instruments
• Brass/strings: Section vs. solo, dry vs. lush
• Electronics: Samples, loops, glitches, synthesis

Example Phrases:

• "Neck pickup through mild tube overdrive"
• "Slap-back delay with plate reverb"
• "Fingerpicked acoustic with percussive body hits"

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Dimension 4: Production Aesthetics

Spatial Characteristics

• Environment feel: Professional studio, live room, bedroom, outdoor
• Reverb treatment: Dry, intimate, expansive, cavernous
• Stereo field: Wide, narrow, mono-compatible
• Depth staging: Everything forward, layered front-to-back

Mix Philosophy

• Prominence hierarchy: Drums-first, vocal-forward, guitar-heavy
• Frequency allocation: Each instrument's spectral home
• Dynamic range: Compressed, dynamic, limiting
• Clarity vs. saturation: Pristine separation vs. glued warmth

Sonic Texture

• Signal path: Clean, saturated, distorted, degraded
• High frequency: Bright, airy, rolled-off, harsh
• Low end: Tight, boomy, sub-heavy, absent
• Midrange: Scooped, present, honky, balanced

Example Phrases:

• "Bedroom recording aesthetic with lo-fi saturation"
• "Drum-forward mix with tight low end"
• "Vintage tape warmth with rolled-off highs"

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Dimension 5: Genre Fusion Analysis

Influence Mapping

• Primary foundation: The dominant genre base (60%+)
• Secondary elements: Strong secondary influence (20-30%)
• Tertiary accents: Occasional flavor (10% or less)

Integration Methods

• Temporal placement: Genre X in verses, genre Y in choruses
• Instrumental assignment: Drums from A, guitars from B
• Transition approach: Seamless blend vs. jarring contrast
• Era mixing: Vintage techniques + modern production

Innovation Points

• Boundary crossing: Where conventions are broken
• Novel combinations: Unexpected genre marriages
• Signature fusion: Their unique contribution

Example Phrases:

• "Math rock precision over post-punk foundation"
• "Hip-hop production sensibility applied to folk songwriting"
• "Grunge dynamics with shoegaze texture"

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Dimension 6: Energy Architecture

Song Structure

• Intro character: Atmospheric, punchy, fade-in, cold start
• Verse energy: Pulled back, driving, building
• Chorus intensity: Lift, explosion, subtle shift
• Bridge/breakdown: Contrast, climax, reflection
• Outro approach: Fade, stop, resolve, evolve

Dynamic Range

• Intensity curves: Gradual build, sudden shifts, flat line
• Peak placement: Early, middle, late, multiple
• Release patterns: Sudden drop, gradual decay

Emotional Trajectory

• Mood arc: Single state, journey, oscillation
• Tension cycles: Build-release frequency
• Climax character: Cathartic, devastating, transcendent

Example Phrases:

• "Slow build across 4 minutes to explosive final chorus"
• "Sudden dynamic drops creating tension"
• "Verse-chorus contrast via density rather than volume"

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Documentation Template

One-Sentence DNA

[Rhythmic approach] + [harmonic character] + [instrumental signature] + [production aesthetic]

Example: "Syncopated post-punk drumming over minor modal progressions, angular clean guitar with chorus effect, dry room recording with bass-forward mix"

Detailed Breakdown

## Rhythmic Signature
- Time feel:
- Drum character:
- Bass approach:
- Syncopation style:

## Harmonic DNA
- Chord tendencies:
- Scale preferences:
- Progression patterns:

## Instrumental Character
- Guitar tone/technique:
- Effects signature:
- Other key instruments:

## Production Fingerprint
- Recording aesthetic:
- Mix characteristics:
- Sonic texture:

## Genre Fusion Map
- Primary foundation:
- Secondary elements:
- Innovation points:

## Energy Architecture
- Typical structure:
- Dynamic range:
- Build patterns:

Extractable Prompt Elements

List 5-10 standalone phrases usable in AI generation:

• "..."
• "..."

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Ethical Guidelines

Do

• Combine elements from multiple analyses
• Focus on techniques and approaches
• Build reusable vocabulary
• Create novel fusions

Don't

• Copy complete profiles directly
• Replicate signature riffs/melodies
• Use as "sounds like [Artist]" substitute
• Claim to reproduce specific artists

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Anti-Patterns

1. The Name Drop

Pattern: Using artist names as shorthand instead of technique descriptions. "Sounds like Radiohead" instead of describing the actual sonic qualities. Why it fails: Defeats the entire purpose. Artist names are black boxes that convey different things to different people and may produce copyright issues in AI generation. Fix: Never use artist names in final output. For every "sounds like X," unpack what that actually means in terms of rhythm, harmony, production, etc.

2. The Single Dimension

Pattern: Analyzing only one dimension (usually rhythm or production) while ignoring others. Producing incomplete profiles. Why it fails: Musical identity emerges from interaction of all dimensions. A rhythmic profile without harmonic context is useless for generation. Fix: Force yourself through all six dimensions. Even if an artist seems "about the guitar sound," their rhythmic choices matter.

3. The Genre Substitute

Pattern: Describing music by genre labels instead of techniques. "Post-punk" instead of describing what makes it post-punk. Why it fails: Genre labels are contested categories, not techniques. AI systems need concrete instructions, not genre negotiations. Fix: Treat genre labels as starting points requiring unpacking. What rhythmic, harmonic, and production choices define this genre for this artist?

4. The Representative Track Trap

Pattern: Analyzing one famous song and extrapolating to entire catalog. Missing range and evolution. Why it fails: Artists vary. Their most famous song may not be representative. Analysis from one track produces narrow profiles. Fix: Analyze 3-5 tracks from different periods and modes. Look for both constants and variations.

5. The Technical Overdose

Pattern: Including so much technical detail that prompts become unusable. Every possible parameter specified. Why it fails: AI generation systems can't process unlimited context. Overly detailed prompts get truncated or confuse the model. Fix: Distill to 5-10 essential phrases. Prioritize what makes this artist distinct rather than comprehensive.

Integration Points

Inbound:

• From listening to music you want to analyze

Outbound:

• To AI music generation prompts
• To lyric-diagnostic for complete song analysis

Complementary:

• lyric-diagnostic: Lyrical analysis (words)
• This skill: Musical analysis (sounds)