Gary Barlow shares the secret to writing good music – and it’s surprisingly simple

15 April 2021, 12:19 | Updated: 15 April 2021, 12:28

Songwriting legend Gary Barlow took to his Instagram to share a video of his home studio and reveal what he says is the one secret to making good music...

Gary Barlow is well regarded as one of the greatest singer-songwriters of our generation.

Lead vocalist for Take That, Gary is one of the most successful songwriters in the UK today having written 13 number one records, eight number one albums and is credited as a songwriter on a whopping over 145 tracks.

See more: Gary Barlow and Boy George release a duet of Take That's 'Patience' and it's exceptional

Yet according to the successful record producer who has worked with everyone from Elton John and Lulu to Chris Martin and Michael Ball, you only need one thing to write good music – and it's surprisingly simple.

Gary Barlow posted a video on his Instagram page giving fans a peek of his home studio.

See more: Adam Lambert, Gary Barlow and Boy George perform David Bowie's greatest hits at star-studded tribute concert

Speaking directly to the camera he began saying: "It’s always an interesting question, equipment and what tools you need to do what we do.

"The truth is, and I’m a bit of a one for buying equipment, but you don’t really need that much to make good music, you really don’t," he says.

See more: Smooth Sessions: Watch Gary Barlow's exclusive free virtual gig here

"I’ve got a lot of pieces of gear in my collection but the truth is, truthfully, you kind of just need a laptop…and you need to learn how it works.

"If you’re thinking of investing and want to start a music career get a good computer, I’d start there. There are amazing thing you can do now with a laptop and that’s all I have for computing stuff."

See more: Gary Barlow releases mesmerising 'I've Got You Under My Skin' duet with Jamie Cullum

"All this extra stuff is just extra toys for the bag but you don’t need it, you really don’t," he finishes.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gary Barlow (@officialgarybarlow)

Gary Barlow Smooth Sessions: Back for Good

The proof is in the pudding: Using just his laptop, Gary recorded an impressive collection of songs during lockdown with some of the world's biggest artists.

See more: Gary Barlow facts: Take That singer's age, wife, children, net worth and more revealed

Throughout 2020 and 2021, Gary Barlow released weekly and sometimes daily videos of him duetting with other singers from across the globe.

Regularly seen with just his guitar and computer, Gary sang duets with the likes of Rod Stewart, Elton John, Sting, Boy George, Leona Lewis and many, many more.

See more: Gary Barlow amazes fans by working out with spitting image son Daniel, 18

So there we have it, musical secrets from the legend himself. Hats off to you, Gary!