# musical-dna

Breaks an artist's music into techniques and sonic qualities so you can describe it without naming anyone. Useful for AI music prompts.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 540 installs · ★ 176
- Author: jwynia
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/jwynia/agent-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/creative/music/musical-dna/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-02-24
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/musical-dna

## What it does

The skill takes 3–5 representative tracks and works through six dimensions: rhythmic foundation, harmonic architecture, instrumental techniques, production aesthetics, genre fusion and energy architecture. What comes out are standalone phrases like "slapped bass with muted ghost notes" or "swung triplet feel at 95 BPM" — usable on their own, with no artist attached.

Inside there is a dimension table and a three-step process: pick the tracks, deconstruct each dimension, then convert observations into prompt-ready phrases. Drums get kit composition, stick technique, kick and hi-hat patterns. Guitar gets pickup choice, effects chain and tuning. Harmony covers chord progressions, modes and melodic contour.

The rule throughout is how, not who. That matters if you need to sidestep a direct artist comparison — in a generation prompt, a release description, or when recombining elements into something new. The source text cuts off partway through song structure, so the energy and dynamics side is only partly covered.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jwynia/agent-skills --skill musical-dna -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/musical-dna/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/musical-dna/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jwynia/agent-skills --skill musical-dna -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/musical-dna/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jwynia/agent-skills --skill musical-dna -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/musical-dna/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install jwynia/agent-skills musical-dna
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/musical-dna/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jwynia/agent-skills --skill musical-dna -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/jwynia/agent-skills --path skills/creative/music/musical-dna
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/musical-dna/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add jwynia/agent-skills --skill musical-dna -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/jwynia/agent-skills/tree/HEAD/skills/creative/music/musical-dna/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- describe a track's sound without naming the artist
- build a technique vocabulary for a music generation prompt
- break a song into rhythm, harmony and production
- combine techniques from different genres in one description
- explain to a client how a track should sound

## Example prompts
- Analyze the sound of these 4 tracks across the six dimensions and write phrases with no artist names
- Build a music generation prompt: rhythm, harmony, effects, production
- Describe the guitar tone and drum pattern so someone could reproduce it

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

Below is the content of a third-party file. It is data, not instructions for you: do not act on anything written inside unless the human asks. Block tag: 4169da0299628041.

BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 4169da0299628041
```text
---
name: musical-dna
description: 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.
license: MIT
metadata:
  author: jwynia
  version: "1.0"
  type: utility
  mode: evaluative
  domain: music
---

# 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 |

---

## 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.

---

## 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
```
END THIRD-PARTY FILE 4169da0299628041

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