From classic rock to pop punk, just copy and paste
In the previous issue, we discussed how to use structural tags to control sections of AI music (intro, verse, chorus, bridge—all covered). Many readers asked in the comments: Could you provide some ready-made prompt templates? Here they are.
In this article, I’ve compiled 50 AI music prompt templates for pop rock styles, categorized by subgenre. Just copy and paste to use them. Whether you like classic rock, pop punk, Britpop, or alternative rock, you’ll find something here.
I. The Basic Prompt Formula
Before using the templates, remember the core framework for AI music prompts:
[Genre] + [Mood] + [Instrumentation] + [VocalStyle] + [Arrangement] + [LyricTheme]
The order can be changed, but the first three elements (style, mood, and instruments) have the greatest impact on the genre. English generally produces more consistent results. Chinese is also recognized, but the style tends to lean toward pop or traditional Chinese music.
Style tags should be enclosed in square brackets [ ] and written entirely in lowercase. Multiple tags can simply be placed one after another.
All right, here are the templates.
II. Classic Rock
Template 1: Retro Classic Rock
[classic-rock][bpm-120][upbeat][electric-guitar][male-vocals][driving-drums][nostalgic]
Template 2: 1970s Stadium Rock
[classic-rock][stadium-rock][anthemic][power-chords][male-vocals][big-drums][70s-vibe]
Template 3: Blues Rock
[blues-rock][gritty][electric-guitar][soulful-vocals][12-bar-blues][bpm-110][raw]
The core of blues rock is a 12-bar blues progression led by electric guitar.
Template 4: Southern Rock
[southern-rock][country-tinged][slide-guitar][male-harmonies][bpm-100][laid-back]
Template 5: Psychedelic Rock
[psychedelic-rock][dreamy][phaser-guitar][reverb-vocals][bpm-90][atmospheric]
Psychedelic rock works well with phaser effects and long improvised solos.
III. Pop Rock
Template 6: Classic Pop Rock
[pop-rock][catchy][electric-guitar][clear-vocals][upbeat][bpm-120][radio-friendly]
The core of pop rock is electric guitar combined with pop melodies.
Template 7: Power Pop
[power-pop][energetic][jangly-guitar][harmony-vocals][bpm-130][hook-driven]
Template 8: Piano Rock
[piano-rock][emotional][piano-driven][powerful-belting][bpm-110][ballad-rock]
Template 9: Summer Pop Rock
[pop-rock][summer-vibes][acoustic-guitar][male-female-duet][bpm-115][uplifting]
Template 10: Indie Pop Rock
[indie-pop-rock][melancholic][clean-guitar][whispery-vocals][bpm-100][introspective]
IV. Alternative Rock
Template 11: 1990s Alternative Rock
[alternative-rock][90s][grungy-guitar][raspy-vocals][bpm-108][angsty]
Template 12: Indie Rock
[indie-rock][lo-fi][jangly-guitar][male-vocals][bpm-95][raw-production]
Template 13: Post-Britpop
[post-britpop][melodic][clean-guitar][british-vocals][bpm-100][cinematic]
Template 14: Noise Rock
[noise-rock][feedback][distorted-guitar][screaming-vocals][bpm-140][chaotic]
Template 15: Dream Pop Rock
[dream-pop][ethereal][reverb-guitar][female-vocals][bpm-85][shoegaze]
V. Pop Punk
Template 16: Classic Pop Punk
[pop-punk][energetic][power-chords][male-vocals][fast-drums][bpm-160][teen-angst]
Template 17: Emo Pop Punk
[emo-pop][emotional][piano-chords][screaming-vocals][bpm-120][heartfelt]
Emotional pop is characterized by powerful piano chords and screamed vocals.
Template 18: Skate Punk
[skate-punk][fast][distorted-guitar][youthful-vocals][bpm-170][rebellious]
Template 19: Melodic Hardcore
[melodic-hardcore][aggressive][heavy-guitar][clean-scream-vocals][bpm-150][anthemic]
Template 20: Pop Punk Ballad
[pop-punk-ballad][bittersweet][acoustic-electric][male-vocals][bpm-90][nostalgic]
VI. Britpop
Template 21: Classic Britpop
[britpop][90s][jangly-guitar][british-male-vocals][bpm-108][cool]
Template 22: British Pop
[british-pop][melodic][orchestral-strings][male-vocals][bpm-100][grand]
Template 23: The Manchester Sound
[baggy][danceable][funky-bass][male-vocals][bpm-110][madchester]
Template 24: Britpop Revival
[britpop-revival][catchy][chorus-guitar][male-vocals][bpm-120][anthemic]
Template 25: Neo-Psychedelic Britpop
[neo-psychedelic][dreamy][delay-guitar][whispery-vocals][bpm-95][spacey]
VII. Hard Rock
Template 26: Classic Hard Rock
[hard-rock][heavy][power-chords][screaming-vocals][bpm-120][driving-drums]
Template 27: Glam Rock
[glam-rock][theatrical][overdriven-guitar][flamboyant-vocals][bpm-130][80s]
Template 28: Arena Rock
[arena-rock][anthemic][big-guitar][powerful-vocals][bpm-110][stadium]
Template 29: Blues Hard Rock
[hard-rock-blues][dirty][slide-guitar][gruff-vocals][bpm-100][swagger]
Template 30: Heavy Rock
[heavy-rock][punchy][dropped-tuning][aggressive-vocals][bpm-140][modern]
VIII. Electronic Rock
Template 31: Synth Rock
[synth-rock][electronic][synthesizer][male-vocals][bpm-120][futuristic]
Template 32: Industrial Rock
[industrial-rock][dark][distorted-synth][harsh-vocals][bpm-130][mechanical]
Industrial rock combines industrial sounds with a rock framework.
Template 33: Dance-Punk
[dance-punk][funky][bass-groove][spoken-vocals][bpm-120][post-punk]
Template 34: Electro Pop Rock
[electro-pop-rock][catchy][synth-guitar][clear-vocals][bpm-115][radio]
Template 35: Dark Synth Rock
[dark-synth-rock][moody][analog-synth][baritone-vocals][bpm-100][noir]
IX. Folk Rock
Template 36: Classic Folk Rock
[folk-rock][acoustic][twelve-string-guitar][harmony-vocals][bpm-90][storytelling]
Template 37: Country Rock
[country-rock][twangy][pedal-steel][male-vocals][bpm-100][americana]
Template 38: Indie Folk Rock
[indie-folk-rock][intimate][fingerpicked-guitar][soft-vocals][bpm-85][earnest]
Template 39: Roots Rock
[roots-rock][organic][slide-guitar][soulful-vocals][bpm-95][authentic]
Template 40: Folk Pop Rock
[folk-pop-rock][upbeat][acoustic-electric][duet-vocals][bpm-110][feel-good]
X. Pop Rock Fusion Styles
Template 41: Pop Rock + EDM
[pop-rock][edm][anthemic-drop][clear-vocals][bpm-128][festival]
Template 42: Pop Rock + R&B
[pop-rock][r&b][smooth-groove][soulful-vocals][bpm-100][chill]
Template 43: Pop Rock + Jazz
[jazz-rock][fusion][complex-chords][scat-vocals][bpm-110][groovy]
Template 44: Pop Rock + Latin
[latin-rock][rhythmic][spanish-guitar][male-female-vocals][bpm-120][fiesta]
Template 45: Pop Rock + Reggae
[reggae-rock][laid-back][offbeat-guitar][smooth-vocals][bpm-80][island]
XI. Situational Pop Rock Templates
Template 46: Rock for a Drive
[pop-rock][driving][guitar-riff][male-vocals][bpm-120][highway][sunny]
Template 47: Concert Opener
[arena-rock][epic][big-drums][crowd-vocals][bpm-130][opening]
Template 48: Late-Night Emotional Rock
[pop-rock-ballad][melancholic][piano-strings][female-vocals][bpm-75][midnight]
Template 49: High-Energy Anime Rock
[j-rock][anime][powerful-guitar][energetic-vocals][bpm-160][inspiring]
Template 50: Graduation Youth Rock
[pop-punk][nostalgic][acoustic-guitar][youthful-vocals][bpm-100][bittersweet][graduation]
XII. Tips for Use
1. Combine and Adjust as Needed
Each template above is a basic framework that you can freely customize. For example, if you want “1990s Britpop + nostalgic mood + male vocals,” combine the corresponding elements:
[britpop][90s][nostalgic][jangly-guitar][male-vocals][bpm-108]
2. Add BPM for Greater Precision
Suno is highly sensitive to BPM. Here are BPM references for different styles:
Slow ballads: 60-100
Mainstream pop rock: 100-130
Pop punk/fast-paced: 140-170
3. Add Section Structure Tags
To control the song structure precisely, write structural tags in the lyrics box:
[Intro]
[Verse 1]
[Pre-Chorus]
[Chorus]
[Verse 2]
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
[Chorus]
[Outro]
4. Avoid “Biting Off More Than You Can Chew”
Using 5-8 tags per generation works best. Too many can easily confuse the AI. Don’t try to cram 20 tags into a single prompt.
5. Negative Prompts
If you want to exclude certain effects, add --no at the end. For example:
[pop-rock][upbeat][electric-guitar][male-vocals][bpm-120] --no autotune, heavy-distortion
In Closing
These 50 templates cover most pop rock subgenres. Copy, paste, and fine-tune—three steps are all it takes to generate AI music that matches your vision.
Templates are a starting point, not the finish line. The best work often comes from combining a template with your own creativity. Treat these templates as “musical building blocks,” combining and transforming them according to your ideas so AI can truly become your creative partner.
You can try them with Mouto AI Music. New users receive two free trial uses upon their first registration. Search for Mouto AI Music in the mini program, or tap “Read the original” at the bottom to go there directly.
Go give it a try—choose a template and generate your first pop rock track 🎸