There are a variety of synonyms for the phrase "make music" that can be used to express the act of creating and playing songs. One common synonym is "compose music," which refers to the process of writing and arranging musical pieces. Another synonym is "perform music," which emphasizes the act of physically playing or singing a musical piece. "Play music" is also frequently used to describe making music, particularly when it comes to instrumental pieces. Additionally, "produce music" can be used to refer to the process of recording and editing musical content, while "create music" generally encompasses all aspects of the music-making process.