Whether your summer plans include travel or working at an internship you practically had to sell your soul to get, there are always those intervals of time spent sitting around with absolutely nothing to do. My suggestion? Become your own favorite new musician!

Whether you’re interested in getting into electronic music making or more traditional songwriting via guitar or piano, summer break is the perfect time to try your hand at something new. Let’s talk some of the benefits of letting out your inner Mozart:

You don’t have to be good at an instrument

If you have a phone, tablet or computer, there’s mind-blowingly easy ways to start making your own music. Apps for iPhone like Beatwave and Figure allow you to experiment with arranging beats and sounds, while computer programs like GarageBand or Audacity let you record and mix tracks on your computer. You don’t need any special equipment to get started, just your electronics, your fingers and your ears.

There’s already someone out there worse than you

Have you ever googled bad covers on YouTube? Trust me, there are millions of would-be pop stars out there who embarrass themselves daily and publicly. Music is always best when it’s made for yourself. Make something that you like listening to! You don’t have to worry about becoming the next big thing. But, if you make something you think someone else might appreciate, there’s no harm in tossing your hat in the ring among the musical Internet masses.

Expand your tastes

Fact: Making music always leads to new inspirations and influences. When you sit down to make music, the first question is usually: What do I want it to sound like? The music you listen to isn’t necessarily your own creative style, and the more you compose and explore, the more you’ll start to understand what genres and styles match your own. You may surprise yourself with what comes out.

Be the cool kid at parties

Making music doesn’t necessarily have to just be writing, performing or producing, so for those who remain unconvinced of their ability to whip up the latest on their phone, you’re in luck. These days, a well-curated SoundCloud profile can get you a lot of street cred. Spend your summer collecting all your favorite underground music and repost them for an amazing playlist. The next time someone hands you the aux cord in the car or at a party, prepare to become everyone’s new best friend.