As a passionate songwriter, I’ve always been on the lookout for ways to hone my craft and take my music to the next level. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned lyricist looking to refine your skills, finding the right course can make all the difference.
Over the years, I’ve explored numerous songwriting courses, each offering unique insights and techniques that have helped shape my approach to writing music.
In this article, I’ve compiled a list of the 11 best songwriting courses that have truly stood out. These courses cover everything from the basics of music theory and melody creation to advanced lyric writing and commercial songwriting techniques.
1. Songwriting Simplified: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity – Udemy
This Udemy course, led by Steve Glazer, is designed for aspiring songwriters who have basic piano or guitar skills but no prior music theory knowledge. The course covers the essentials of music theory, chord progressions, melody writing, and lyric writing. By the end of the course, students will have written a complete song following a five-step process. The course emphasizes practical music theory and provides easy-to-read charts for piano and guitar chords and scales in all major and minor keys. It also includes insider tips for writing catchy melodies and transposing songs to fit any vocal range. With over 20 downloadable PDFs and a focus on real-world application, this course is ideal for beginners looking to write songs like the pros without needing to read music.
2. Lyrics Writing Course by Jacob Carter
Jacob Carter’s Lyrics Writing Course is a comprehensive online program meticulously designed to elevate the skills and creativity of aspiring lyricists and songwriters. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Carter brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to his teaching. The course is structured into six detailed modules, each focusing on different aspects of lyric writing, from finding inspiration to mastering lyrical structure and style, crafting impactful lyrics, and collaborating with others.
The first module, “Finding Your Inspiration,” helps students explore various creative writing methods to discover their unique style. This foundational step is crucial for generating original and compelling ideas for songs.
The second module, “Lyrical Structure and Style,” delves into the intricacies of writing styles, structures, and formats by analyzing famous song lyrics. This module covers essential elements like rhyme patterns and traditional song structures, providing students with the tools to create well-organized and engaging lyrics. You can also read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs.
In the third module, “How to Write Lyrics,” students learn to transform their ideas into complete song drafts. This lesson focuses on the practical aspects of writing and refining lyrics that resonate with both the songwriter and the audience.
The fourth module, “Developing Songwriting Depth,” goes beyond basic lyric writing by teaching students how to use literary tools such as imagery, metaphor, and characterization to create unforgettable and unique lyrics. This module also includes analysis of famous song lyrics to illustrate how these tools are effectively used.
The fifth module, “Understanding Genre,” educates students on the conventions and themes specific to different music genres. This knowledge enables lyricists to tailor their writing to fit various musical styles, enhancing the versatility of their songwriting. The final module, “Learn How to Co-write,” provides valuable tips on collaborating with other artists and songwriters, a crucial skill for any lyricist looking to succeed in the music industry.
Throughout the course, students have access to HD video lessons, printable resources, and real-life exercises designed to reinforce learning. The course also offers the option of one-on-one mentoring for those seeking personalized guidance. Upon completion, students receive a certificate and gain lifetime access to all course materials, allowing them to revisit and refine their skills continuously.
3. Commercial Songwriting Techniques – Berklee Online
Authored by multiplatinum songwriter Andrea Stolpe, this Berklee Online course delves into the intricacies of writing hit songs for the commercial market. Over 12 weeks, students learn a ten-step process to replicate the traits of successful songs while maintaining their unique voice. The course covers techniques such as toggling between detail and broad perspectives, using senses for creativity, and destination writing. By focusing on different song sections each week, students streamline their writing process and enhance their descriptive skills. The course culminates in the creation of three fully written songs, with additional ideas for future projects. This structured approach ensures that students not only learn the theory but also apply it to produce commercially viable songs.
4. MasterClass: Songwriting with Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys’ MasterClass offers a unique opportunity to learn songwriting from a 15-time Grammy Award-winning artist. The course consists of 19 video lessons totaling 3 hours and 22 minutes, along with a 15-page workbook. Keys shares her distinctive process of “songwriting with soul,” guiding students through developing lyrics, recording, layering vocals, and arranging sonics. The course is designed for artists of all levels and emphasizes authenticity, empathy, and vulnerability in songwriting. Keys also breaks down her own songs, such as “No One” and “Fallin’,” providing practical examples of her techniques. This MasterClass is perfect for those looking to connect deeply with their music and learn from one of the best in the industry.
5. The New Songwriter’s Workshop (Oli Rockberger)
Offered by Soundfly, this course by acclaimed songwriter Oli Rockberger focuses on the foundational aspects of songwriting. Rockberger shares his approaches to choosing harmonic progressions, composing memorable melodies, and crafting lyrics that resonate. The course is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the songwriting process, from initial idea to finished product. Students can also opt for one-on-one mentorship to receive personalized feedback and guidance. This workshop is ideal for songwriters looking to refine their skills and develop a deeper understanding of the creative process behind writing impactful songs.
6. The Basics of Pro Songwriting (Tom Worth)
Tom Worth’s Udemy course is tailored for both beginners and experienced songwriters aiming to write commercially successful songs. The course covers the fundamentals of song structure, melody, lyric writing, rhyme schemes, and phrasing. Worth shares the exact methods used by professional songwriters to create chart-topping hits and highlights common mistakes to avoid. With six hours of video content, articles, and downloadable resources, students learn the professional songwriting process and how to avoid pitfalls that can undermine their credibility. This course is a comprehensive guide to writing songs that appeal to industry professionals and the broader market.
7. The Singer-Songwriter Specialization (Berklee College of Music)
The Singer-Songwriter Specialization offered by Berklee College of Music on Coursera is a comprehensive four-course series designed to help aspiring songwriters write, perform, and record their original music. Taught by Erin Barra, this beginner-level course covers the basics of playing the guitar, including chords, scales, strumming, and picking patterns. Students also learn proper vocal techniques to sing healthfully and develop their own style. The specialization delves into songwriting tools and techniques, focusing on lyric writing, stressed and unstressed syllables, rhyme schemes, and lyrical phrasing. Additionally, students gain skills in recording, editing, and mixing music productions using MIDI and audio to create professional-sounding recordings. The applied learning projects include playing a song using a lead sheet, honing vocal styles, completing an original song, and producing and recording music using both real instruments and MIDI in a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) like Ableton Live.
8. The Fine Art of Songwriting (Steve Leslie)
Steve Leslie’s “The Fine Art of Songwriting,” available through the Indie Music Academy, is a masterclass that spans five weeks of daily training. This course is suitable for all artists and genres, aiming to elevate their songwriting skills. Leslie, a Grammy-winning songwriter, covers various aspects of song structure, including organic and mechanic methods, the song form ladder, and the history and techniques of different song forms like AABA and verse/chorus. The course also delves into writing big choruses, diatonic chord functions, and arranging and production elements. Students learn the craft of lyric writing, focusing on verisimilitude, sound and sense, and onomatopoeia, as well as melody writing principles, harmony-driven melodies, and rhythmic prosody. The course includes practical exercises and assignments to reinforce learning, ensuring that students can apply these techniques to create impactful songs.
9. How to Write Your First Song (The University of Sheffield)
The University of Sheffield offers a free online course titled “How to Write Your First Song,” which provides a practical introduction to the mechanics of songwriting. This course is designed for beginners and covers the essential elements of songwriting, including words, music, and time. Students learn about working with melody, chords, and chord progressions, as well as various song forms. The course also includes insights from established songwriters, offering a real-world perspective on the songwriting process. By the end of the course, students will have a foundational understanding of how to put together the elements of a song and create their own original compositions.
10. Songwriting and Composing Melodies (Lauren Buchter)
Lauren Buchter’s “Songwriting and Composing Melodies” course, available on Skillshare, is ideal for aspiring songwriters and composers who want to create memorable melodies and songs that tell stories. The course teaches tried-and-true techniques for crafting melodies that evoke specific emotions, such as heroism, romance, sadness, or upliftment. Using a “creative brief,” students have the opportunity to create custom pieces of music, similar to how composers work in film, TV, and advertising. The course is suitable for beginners but some prior knowledge of music and the ability to record music for the final project is helpful. Students learn to develop their skills as songwriters and composers, gaining insights from Buchter’s experience as a film and TV composer.
11. Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody – City Lit
City Lit’s “Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody” is a six-week online course designed for songwriters and instrumentalists who find it easier to create melodies than write lyrics. Taught by Polly Hewett, the course covers generating original ideas and imagery from everyday experiences, the structure and form of melodies, and advanced techniques in lyrics and metre, rhythm, scanning, and emphasis. Students explore themes, subjects, and perspectives, and analyze the work of singer-songwriters, bands, and lyric writers across various genres. The course emphasizes practical work and collaboration, with students working towards recording their songs by the end of the course. It is suitable for those with some knowledge of music theory, and students are encouraged to bring their instruments to class.
