You've written your song by crafting lyrics and singing a melody a cappella. But if you don't play guitar or piano (or don't feel confident singing), you might worry you can't create a usable work track. The truth: you can. It's easier than you think, and we'll show you how.
by SongwriterDemoService Staff | October, 22, 2025.
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One of the best examples I ever witnessed of writing a song without an instrument was at a songwriting seminar I attended in LA. It was put on by the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). There were several pro hit songwriters there, but it was Jason Bloom who made the strongest impression upon me.
When Jason took the stage, he demonstrated how easily and effectively you could write a song without an instrument. Moreover, Jason said that even if you can play an instrument, you might want to try writing a song without one, because it might push you in directions you otherwise wouldn't go if you were using an instrument. That's how you find unique ideas. So if Jason can do it, we all can.
In case you're not familiar with Jason, he has had several Billboard Top 10 singles as a songwriter, and quite impressively, he has had songs on the country, pop, and R&B charts simultaneously. Blume is also the author of the #1 best-selling book "6 Steps to Songwriting Success," which I personally feel is the best book on songwriting, especially for those new to the industry or who need to learn both the craft and the business of songwriting.
➡️ Get Jason's book, 6 Steps to Songwriting Success: (Amazon): Paperback | Kindle
A work track isn't about perfection. It's about giving your demo-studio team a clear blueprint of your song's structure, melody, rhythm, and feel. Here are five practical ways to make it work.
You don't need a full band to present your idea. Sing your melody a cappella or with a basic rhythm (clap, foot tap, or metronome) and clearly label the song sections (“verse,” “chorus,” etc.). That tells a producer or engineer exactly how the song flows and what the hook sounds like.
Even if you don't play an instrument, you can still convey chord progressions and groove. Try humming the bassline, beat-boxing a groove, or speaking “guitar here” and “drums kick in here” at the right moments. These cues help the studio understand your arrangement without you needing to perform it.
Recording quality doesn't require expensive gear—just clarity and consistency. On iOS, you might start with Voice Memos or try apps like Dolby On for better audio enhancement. On Android, apps like Easy Voice Recorder or ASR Voice Recorder work well. These tools enable you to quickly capture your idea and share it in a usable format.
Alongside your voice recording, prepare a lyric sheet that clearly marks each section (Verse 1, Chorus, Bridge, etc.). The combination of your recorded track + typed lyric sheet gives your demo team everything they need: the words, the melody, and how it all fits together.
➡️ Recommended reading: How to Format Your Lyric Sheet for the Studio
Before you send anything, name your file something like: “SongTitle_WorkTrack_SingerOnly”. In the email or message you send, add brief notes like:
“The chorus should hit at 0:32, feel like driving pop groove; verse is casual acoustic feel.”
These directions provide essential context and help producers interpret your track exactly as you intend.
A work track is your roadmap. However, when you're ready to pitch your song professionally, a full studio demo will give it the sonic polish it needs to compete. Once the song is set, we'll help you craft a demo that brings the vision to life.
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