Suno AI Genre Guide: What Works and What Doesn't

Suno AI is a remarkable tool for music generation, but like any artist, it has its signature styles and areas for growth. Users have found that Suno excels at creating hits in certain genres while occasionally fumbling the melody in others. Understanding these nuances is key to getting the results you want.

This guide breaks down Suno's genre performance based on community feedback and offers pro tips to help you create your next masterpiece.

Genres Where Suno Needs a Little Push

Some niche or complex genres can challenge the AI. This is often due to a lack of sufficient training data or the difficulty in replicating highly specific sound design elements.

1. Complex EDM and DnB

While Suno handles foundational electronic beats well, it can struggle with genres that rely on heavy, intricate sound design like dubstep or complex Drum and Bass (DnB). The AI may not produce the aggressive drops or the layered, evolving synth textures that define these styles.

Pro Tip: To get better DnB results, try repeating the genre in your style prompt, like: [Drum and bass, drum and bass, drum and bass]. This repetition emphasizes your intent to the AI.

2. Extreme Metal Subgenres

Fans of doom metal and black metal have noted that Suno often misses the mark on the genre's characteristic riffs. The AI can generate heavy distortion, but the specific note progressions and atmospheric dread that define these subgenres can sound generic or “wack,” as one user put it.

3. Early Post-Punk & Specific Guitar Tones

Replicating the iconic, jangly guitar sound of early post-punk bands like The Smiths can be difficult. The AI may not capture the precise, nuanced tone that makes a track like “This Charming Man” so distinctive.

4. Mandarin Music

Users report that songs generated in Mandarin are often of lower quality compared to those in English, Japanese, or Korean. This is likely due to the current composition of Suno's training data, which may have less representation for Mandarin pop and other genres.

5. Non-Musical Intros

Suno is designed to create music, so generating specific non-musical sound effects can be a challenge. For example, a user attempting to create an early 2000s boyband hit found it impossible to get the sound of a private jet arriving as the song's intro.

Genres Where Suno Shines

On the flip side, Suno is a powerhouse in many popular and well-established genres, often producing incredible results with minimal effort.

1. Trap and Lofi

Suno consistently delivers high-quality trap bangers and is a master of lofi. Whether you're looking for lofi soul, chill hop, or RnB, the AI generates authentic-sounding tracks perfect for studying or relaxing.

2. Classic Jazz and Blues

If you're aiming for a vintage vibe, you're in luck. Suno performs wonderfully with 1920s-1950s jazz and blues, especially with prompts specifying female vocals. While the vocals can occasionally sound a bit robotic, the overall instrumentation and mood are often spot-on.

3. Country and Indie

Suno has a strong grasp of modern country and indie music. It effectively generates believable acoustic arrangements, heartfelt vocal performances, and the authentic storytelling feel central to these genres.

Pro Tips for Better Results

No matter the genre, you can improve your output with these techniques.

• Be Specific and Repetitive: As with the DnB tip, don't be afraid to repeat key terms in your style prompt [Style: ]. If you want an epic power metal solo, specify [epic guitar solo]. If you want a specific mood, add descriptive words like [ethereal, atmospheric, melancholic].

• Iterate and Refine: Your first generation might not be perfect. Use the "Continue From This Song" feature to extend the parts you like, or simply regenerate the prompt with slight variations to get a different take.

• Use Original Lyrics: To avoid potential copyright or sampling flags, always use original lyrics. This ensures your creation is entirely your own.

• Dispute Incorrect Flags: The AI's sampling detection is automated and can sometimes make mistakes. If your completely original song gets flagged for containing a sample, don't panic. As one user noted, “Nothing a quick dispute didn’t fix.” The team is responsive to human reviews.

By understanding Suno's strengths and using targeted prompts, you can navigate its quirks and unlock its full creative potential. Keep experimenting, and happy creating!