🎼 2026 Edinburgh Musical Challenges

 

1. Start A Cappella
Your song must begin with vocals only — no instruments until after the first line or phrase.

​

2. Include a Tempo Change
At some point, the song must noticeably speed up or slow down.

​

3. Dynamic Flip
A section of the song must dramatically shift from loud to quiet, or from quiet to loud.

​

4. Call and Response
Include a clear call-and-response between vocals or instruments.

​

5. Key Change
At least one section must modulate to a different key.

​

6. Spoken Word
Include at least one short section of spoken lyrics or narrative.

​

7. Surprise Silence
At some point in the song, everything must stop for at least one full beat of intentional silence.

​

8. Hook With No Words
Create a memorable chorus or motif using only “ooh,” “ah,” hums, whistles, or vocalisations.

​

9. Solo
Include a solo by any instrument — guitar, fiddle, synth, drums, voice, anything.

​

10. Time Signature Change
Shift the rhythm somewhere in the song (e.g. 4/4 → 3/4 → 4/4).

​

11. Fake Ending
The song must appear to end… but then continues.

​

12. Instrumental Opening or Ending
Start or finish the entire song without vocals.

​

13. Start With the Chorus
Open the song with what would normally be the chorus.

​

14. Countdown
Include a spoken or sung countdown somewhere in the song.

​

15. The Title Comes Last
The song’s title must only appear in the final line.

​

16. Chant
Include spoken lyrics delivered rhythmically like a chant.

​