Microsoft wants your gig.

The challenges facing musicians these days are undeniable. The emerging number of DJ's, Karaoke, tip jar open mic night, it's getting more difficult to get a good gig these days. As if us proper musicians didn't have enough problems now Microsoft wants to turn anyone into a songwriter.

Songsmith is Microsoft's bid to help those not musically trained or musically inclined to write music. The premise is simple. You sing into your computer and the software loads up some prerecorded chord progressions to accompany your vocal line.

Now after you see the commercial you might not be worried, but this could just become the next Karaoke. Did anyone really think backing tracks for drunks to sing along to in a sushi bar would ever force real music out.

Check out some of these fine examples of the mystery (or misery) of Songsmith.