🧩 1. Introduction & Creative Workflow

🪶 Purpose

This handbook provides a professional reference for creators building custom lyrical or instrumental works in Songer. It focuses on practical tag use, structure, genre configuration, and expressive control.

🧠 Core Principles

Structure first: Define genre/style → language → lyrics.
Brevity matters: Genre/style field has a 100-character limit and up to 5 tags only; condense emotional or sonic cues.
Predictability > Surprise: Small, clear tags yield more accurate results.
Human energy: Every line or layer should serve motion, groove, or emotion.

⚙️ Typical Prompt Flow

Field	Purpose	Notes
Genre/Style Field	Defines genre, rhythm, instrumentation, mood, vocal style, and accent in one line	≤ 100 characters (≈ 5 descriptors)
Language	Vocal language	e.g. `English`, `French`, `Swedish`
Lyrics	Full song text with `[Verse]`, `[Chorus]`, etc.	≤ 2500 characters

🗂️ 2. Universal Tag Index (Overview)

Tags are enclosed in square brackets [like this]. Group them by function for reliable results.

2.1 Structure Tags

Section	Tag	Description
Intro	`[Intro]`	First section
Verse	`[Verse 1]`, `[Verse 2]`	Main narrative sections
Pre-Chorus	`[Pre-Chorus]`
Chorus	`[Chorus]`, `[Hook]`	Repeated refrains
Bridge	`[Bridge]`	Contrast or tension
Drop	`[Drop]`
Build	`[Build]`
Outro	`[Outro]`	Fade or final section
Instrumental break	`[Instrumental Break]`	No vocal passage
Reprise	`[Reprise]`
Solo	`[Solo]`

2.2 Vocal & Harmony Tags

🎙️ Vocal Tags

[Duet Vocals], [Lead], [Response], [Harmonies], [Unison], [Soft Delivery], [Intimate Delivery], [Minimal Vibrato], [Powerful Delivery], [Breathy], [Whisper Tone], [Angelic Tone], [Raw, Imperfect Vocals], [Talk-Singing Vocals], [Spoken-Style Vocals], [Spoken], [Rap], [High Pitch Vocals], [Low Pitch Vocals], [Soulful Delivery], [Deep Vocals], [Soft High Register], [Falsetto Vocals], [Bass Vocals], [Angelic Vocals], [Country Accent], [Norwegian Accent], [French Accent], [US Southern Accent], [British Accent], [Breathy Vocals], [Smooth Vocals], [Whisper Vocals], [Airy Vocal FX], [Layered Harmony FX], [Choral Backing FX], [Double Tracking FX], [Vocal Reverb FX], [Live Vocal FX], [Vocoder FX], [Pitch Shift FX], [Radio Voice FX], [Telephone FX], [Breathy Echo FX], [Haunting Vocal FX]

Type	Tag	Description
Duet	`[Duet Vocals] / [Duet]`	Alternating or combined phrasing
Backing vocals	`[Harmony Vocals]`, `[Background Choir]`	Adds depth
Style	`[Spoken]`, `[Rap]`	special vocal style
Accent	`[British Accent]`, `[Norwegian Accent]`, `[Southern Drawl]`	Vocal character

🎙️ Vocal Sound Design Tags

Category	Example Tags	Description
Tone & Texture	`[Breathy Vocals]`, `[Smooth Vocals]`, `[Whisper Vocals]`, `[Whisper FX]`, `[Soft Tone]`, `[Powerful Vocals]`	Adjust vocal delivery mood
Character & Emotion	`[Soft Emotion FX]`, `[Soulful Vocals]`, `[Angelic Vocals]`, `[Haunting Vocals]`	Control expressive tone
Layering & Space	`[Double Tracking FX]`, `[Choral Backing FX]`, `[Vocal Reverb FX]`	Create vocal width & ambience
Processing & Filters	`[Telephone FX]`, `[Radio Voice FX]`, `[Pitch Shift FX]`, `[Vocoder FX]`	Apply stylistic vocal effects
Performance Presence	`[Live Vocal FX]`, `[Stage Ambience FX]`, `[Crowd Reverb FX]`	Simulate live or studio settings

2.3 Instrumentation Tags

[Acoustic Guitar], [Electric Guitar], [Bass Guitar], [Upright Bass], [Drums], [Brush Drums], [808 Bass], [Synth Bass], [Piano], [Rhodes], [Wurlitzer], [Strings], [Violin], [Cello], [Brass], [Trumpet], [Saxophone], [Trombone], [Flute], [Harp], [Percussion], [Taiko Drums], [Shaker], [Conga], [Bongo], [Steel Drums], [Synth Arps], [Pluck Synth], [Choir], [Pads], [Atmospheric Pads], [Ambient Drones], [Soundscape FX]

Example

Family	Tag Examples	Notes
Strings	`[Violin]`, `[Cello]`, `[Strings Ensemble]`	Pads or melody
Guitars	`[Acoustic Guitar]`, `[Electric Guitar]`, `[Slide Guitar]`	Style definition
Keys	`[Piano]`, `[Rhodes]`, `[Organ]`, `[Synth Arp]`	Harmonic base
Rhythm	`[Drum Kit]`, `[808 Kick]`, `[Conga]`, `[Shaker]`	Groove control
Brass / Wood	`[Trumpet]`, `[Sax]`, `[Flute]`, `[Clarinet]`	Jazz / Soul colors
Electronic	`[Bass Synth]`, `[Pad]`, `[Lead Synth]`	Club energy

2.4 FX & Ambience Tags

🌊 FX & Ambience

[Reverb FX], [Delay FX], [Echo FX], [Filter Sweep FX], [Sidechain FX], [Riser FX], [Drop FX], [Vocal Chop FX], [Stutter FX], [Distortion FX], [Chorus FX], [Flanger FX], [Phaser FX], [Analog Tape Warmth FX], [Vintage Reverb FX], [Rain FX], [Wind FX], [Birdsong FX], [Thunder FX], [Forest FX], [Water FX], [Ocean Waves FX], [Fire Crackle FX], [Audience Applause FX], [Mic Feedback FX], [Crowd FX], [Live Room FX], [Stage Ambience FX], [Crowd Cheer FX], [Concert Hall FX], [Hall Reverb FX], [Plate Reverb FX], [Room Reverb FX], [Cathedral Reverb FX], [Reverb Tail FX], [Stereo Delay FX], [Ping-Pong Delay FX], [Tape Delay FX], [Short Delay FX], [Tremolo FX], [Vibrato FX], [Rotary Speaker FX], [Wah-Wah FX], [Distortion FX], [Overdrive FX], [Fuzz FX], [Analog Warmth FX], [Tape Saturation FX], [Guitar Amp FX], [Bass Drive FX], [Filter Sweep FX], [High-Pass Filter FX], [Low-Pass Filter FX], [EQ Boost FX], [LFO FX], [Sidechain FX], [Resonance FX], [Night Crickets FX], [City Ambience FX], [Street Rain FX], [Forest FX], [Glitch FX], [Impact FX], [Sub Bass FX], [Bass Drop FX], [Pulse FX], [Synth Arp FX]

🎚️ FX Categories

Category	Example Tags	Purpose
Spatial FX	`[Reverb FX]`, `[Echo FX]`, `[Hall Reverb FX]`, `[Room Ambience FX]`, `[Large Hall Reverb]`, `[Cathedral FX]`	Create depth and environment
Texture FX	`[Vinyl Crackle FX]`, `[Tape Hiss FX]`, `[Analog Warmth FX]`, `[Tape Delay]`	Add warmth, realism, vintage tone
Environmental FX	`[Rain FX]`, `[Wind FX]`, `[Ocean FX]`, `[Applause FX]`, `[Birds FX]`, `[Ocean Waves FX]`	Evoke mood or realism
Modulation FX	`[Chorus FX]`, `[Phaser FX]`, `[Flanger FX]`, `[Phaser]`, `[Flanger]`	Enhance movement and stereo width
Distortion FX	`[Overdrive]`, `[Saturation]`	Energy boost
Vocal FX	`[Breathy Vocals]`, `[Layered Harmony FX]`, `[Airy Vocal FX]`	Affect vocal delivery & presence
Electronic FX	`[Filter Sweep FX]`, `[LFO FX]`, `[Sub Bass FX]`, `[Sidechain FX]`	Add motion, EDM-style tension
Creative FX	`[Reverse FX]`, `[Glitch FX]`, `[Drop FX]`, `[Build FX]`	Used for transitions and breakdowns
Live Crowd FX	`[Applause FX]`, `[Audience FX]`, `[Club Ambience]`	Adds performance feel

2.5 Dynamics & Expression

Production (Dynamics & Arrangement)

[Crescendo], [Swells], [Staccato], [Legato], [Breakdown], [Build], [Drop], [Reprise], [Layered Harmonies], [Full Orchestra], [Minimal Mix], [Fade In], [Fade Out], [Dramatic Fade], [Quiet Interlude], [Epic Drums], [Main Theme], [Climax], [Symphonic Arrangement], [Dark Atmosphere]

Tag	Meaning
`[Crescendo]`	Gradual build-up
`[Diminuendo]`	Gentle fade
`[Staccato]`	Short articulation
`[Legato]`	Smooth connection
`[Swells]`	Orchestral motion
`[Soft Intro]` / `[Strong Outro]`	Emotional entry / exit

🎤 3. Prompt Building & Best Practices

3.1 Prompt Syntax Example

Genre / Style Field: country waltz, 3/4, American vocals, acoustic Lyrics: [Verse 1] … [Chorus] … [Outro]

🧠 Genre / Style Field Rules

Rule	Description	Example
✅ Use ≤ 5 short phrases	Combine genre, tempo, accent, vocal type, instrument focus	`melodic techno, cinematic, British vocals, 126 BPM`
✅ Include vocal style + accent	Guides voice model choice and pronunciation	`country waltz, 3/4, American vocals, acoustic`
✅ Add rhythm / tempo info	`slow waltz, 3/4`, `90 BPM`, `4/4 club`
✅ Define main instrument color	`trumpet-led`, `piano`, `acoustic`, `synth-heavy`
🚫 Avoid sentences	❌ “This song should sound like a sad movie.”
🚫 Avoid redundant adjectives	❌ “beautiful, melodic, very emotional, lovely”

3.2 Golden Rules

🕒 Time Signature: Include explicitly (3/4, 4/4, 6/8).
🎛️ Tempo: Add target BPM (“90 BPM slow waltz”).
🎹 Instrument Hierarchy: Start with dominant instrument tags then color layers.
🎧 Mood Words: Use 2–3 emotion words max (“melancholic, hopeful, dreamy”).

🎧 Genre / Style Field Formula

[Primary Genre], [Subgenre or Mood], [Accent + Vocal Type], [Instrumentation or Feel], [Tempo or Time Signature], [FX]

Component	Example Values
Genre	pop, jazz, techno, gospel, country
Subgenre / Mood	melodic, deep, fusion, soulful, cinematic
Accent + Vocal	American vocals, British vocals, French vocals
Instrument Focus	piano, trumpet-led, acoustic, synth-heavy
Tempo / Signature	90 BPM, 3/4, 4/4, 12/8
FX	audience applause

🎧 Compliant Examples

Style	Prompt	Interpretation
Country Waltz	`country waltz, 3/4, American vocals, acoustic`	American voice, 3/4 acoustic waltz
Melodic Techno	`melodic techno, cinematic, British vocals, 126 BPM`	British tone, cinematic melodic techno
Jazz Ballad	`jazz ballad, slow, French vocals, trumpet`	Smooth French vocals, trumpet-led ballad
Soul R&B	`soul r&b, 90 BPM, African vocals, piano-led`	Warm African tone, soulful R&B
Pop Dance	`pop dance, American vocals, upbeat`	Bright American voice, dance pop
Amapiano	`amapiano, South African vocals, log drum, 112 BPM`	Local tone with log drum groove
Cinematic Ballad	`cinematic ballad, orchestral, British vocals, slow`	Orchestral ballad with British vocals

🎙️ 4. Lyrics & Vocal Craft

4.1 Lyric Structure

Section	Function
Verse	Story progression
Chorus	Emotional anchor & hook
Bridge	Change of perspective
Outro	Closure or echo theme

4.2 Crafting Lyrics

Keep lines short (6–10 words).
Use clear vowels for melody flow.
Repeat keywords sparingly for catchiness.
Avoid complex rhymes that break meter.

4.3 Duets & Harmonies

Genre/Style Field: Duet, harmonies 
Prompt:
[Duet] I see the way you look at me 
[Harmonies] Love is our secret song

✅ Use explicit vocal tags per line for balance.

⏭️ Next steps

Ready to try experimenting with custom lyrics or instrumentals? Check the next guides:

🎵 Mastering Songer Tags: Build Your Perfect Track

🎵 How to Write Better Prompts in "Custom Lyrics"

📝 Custom Lyrics Production Guide

🎹 Instrumental Production Guide

📙 Tags and Prompts Overview