As a fellow songwriter, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to transform raw emotions and ideas into compelling songs. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your craft, finding the right guidance can make all the difference. That’s why I’ve put together this list of the 10 best songwriting courses available today. These courses cover everything from lyric writing and melody creation to understanding music theory and navigating the commercial music industry. Each one is designed to help you unlock your creativity, hone your skills, and bring your musical visions to life.
So, grab your notebook and guitar (or piano), and let’s dive into the world of songwriting together!
1. Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies – Berklee Online
This course, authored by Pat Pattison, a renowned professor at Berklee College of Music, offers a comprehensive exploration of lyric writing. Over 12 weeks, students delve into various techniques and strategies to enhance their songwriting skills. Key topics include rhyme structure, notating rhyme schemes, creating forward motion with rhyme, and balancing rhyme. The course also emphasizes daily object writing activities to stimulate creativity. Students will learn to write compelling lyrics by the end of the course, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced songwriters.
2. Lyrics Writing Course by Jacob Carter
Jacob Carter’s Lyrics Writing Course is a comprehensive online program designed to help aspiring lyricists and songwriters elevate their craft. With over 10 years of experience in the music industry, Jacob Carter brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to this course, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned songwriters.
The course is structured into six detailed modules, each focusing on a crucial aspect of lyric writing. The first module, Finding Your Inspiration, introduces various creative writing methods to help students discover their unique writing style and generate ideas. This module is particularly beneficial for those who struggle with writer’s block or finding the right topics for their songs.
In the second module, Lyrical Structure and Style, students explore different writing styles, structures, and formats by analyzing famous song lyrics. This module covers essential elements such as rhyme patterns and traditional song structures, providing a solid foundation for crafting well-structured lyrics. You can also read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs.
The third module, How to Write Lyrics, guides students through the process of turning their ideas into complete song drafts. This lesson emphasizes the importance of refining lyrics to ensure they resonate with both the songwriter and their audience.
The fourth module, Developing Songwriting Depth, delves into the use of literary tools like imagery, metaphor, tense, and characterization. This module aims to enhance the emotional impact of lyrics, making them unforgettable and unique. Students also analyze famous song lyrics to understand how these tools are effectively used.
The fifth module, Understanding Genre, teaches students how to tailor their lyrics to specific musical styles by understanding the common themes and conventions of different genres. This knowledge is crucial for songwriters aiming to write for various music markets.
The final module, Learn How to Co-write, focuses on the art of collaboration. Students learn valuable tips on working effectively with other artists, songwriters, and teams, a vital skill for anyone looking to succeed in the music industry.
Throughout the course, students engage in hands-on exercises and real-life applications to hone their lyric writing skills. They also benefit from the industry insights and insider tips shared by Jacob Carter, making the learning experience both practical and enriching.
3. Songwriting Simplified: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity – Udemy
This Udemy course, taught by Steve Glazer, is designed to simplify the songwriting process for beginners. It covers the fundamentals of music theory, chord progressions, melody writing, and lyric writing. The course promises that students will write a complete song by the end, following five simple steps. It includes practical tips on writing catchy melodies, transposing songs into different keys, and using chord progressions common in pop, country, and rock music. The course is highly accessible, requiring only basic guitar or piano playing experience and no prior knowledge of music theory.
4. The New Songwriter’s Workshop (Oli Rockberger)
Oli Rockberger’s “The New Songwriter’s Workshop” focuses on modern songwriting techniques and industry insights. While specific details about the course content are not provided, Rockberger’s reputation as a seasoned songwriter and educator suggests a curriculum that combines practical songwriting exercises with professional advice. This workshop is ideal for songwriters looking to refine their craft and gain a deeper understanding of the contemporary music landscape.
5. How to Write Lyrics – The Song Foundry
This course by The Song Foundry is tailored for those who want to master the art of lyric writing. It covers essential techniques for generating better ideas, finding the right words, and organizing rhythms and rhymes into compelling song structures. The course is designed to be practical and hands-on, providing tools that have helped many of Pat Pattison’s students achieve success in the music industry. Participants will learn to craft verses, choruses, and bridges that resonate with listeners.
6. Commercial Songwriting Techniques – Berklee Online
Also offered by Berklee Online, this course focuses on the commercial aspects of songwriting. It covers techniques used in writing songs for the mainstream music industry, including crafting hooks, structuring songs for radio play, and understanding the business side of songwriting. The course is ideal for those looking to break into the commercial music market and learn from industry professionals. It provides a blend of creative and practical knowledge essential for aspiring commercial songwriters.
7. Songwriting and Composing Melodies (Lauren Buchter)
Lauren Buchter’s course on Skillshare, “Songwriting and Composing Melodies,” is perfect for aspiring songwriters and composers looking to create memorable melodies and songs that tell compelling stories. The course covers techniques for crafting melodies that evoke specific emotions, such as heroism, romance, sadness, or upliftment. Students work on a “creative brief” to create custom pieces of music, similar to how professional composers work in film, TV, and advertising. While the course is beginner-friendly, some prior knowledge of music and the ability to record music for the final project is beneficial.
8. Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody – City Lit
City Lit offers a six-week online course titled “Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody,” taught by Polly Hewett. This course is designed for songwriters and instrumentalists who find it easier to create melodies than write lyrics. It covers generating original ideas from everyday experiences, the structure and form of melodies, and advanced techniques in lyrics and meter, rhythm, scanning, and emphasis. The course emphasizes practical work and collaboration, with students working towards recording their songs by the end. It is suitable for those with some knowledge of music theory and encourages students to bring their instruments to class.
9. MasterClass: Songwriting with Alicia Keys
In her MasterClass, Alicia Keys offers an intimate look into her songwriting process. The course covers a range of topics, including finding inspiration, writing lyrics, creating melodies, and developing a unique sound. Alicia shares her personal experiences and techniques, providing students with invaluable insights into the art of songwriting. This course is ideal for songwriters at all levels who want to learn from a Grammy-winning artist and gain a deeper understanding of the creative process behind hit songs.
10. The Basics of Pro Songwriting (Tom Worth)
Tom Worth’s course, “The Basics of Pro Songwriting,” is designed to provide aspiring songwriters with a solid foundation in professional songwriting. The course covers essential topics such as song structure, melody creation, lyric writing, and the business aspects of songwriting. Tom Worth, a professional songwriter with years of industry experience, shares practical tips and techniques to help students write songs that stand out in the competitive music market. This course is suitable for beginners and intermediate songwriters looking to elevate their craft.
11. The Singer-Songwriter Specialization (Berklee College of Music)
Berklee College of Music offers a comprehensive Singer-Songwriter Specialization through its online platform. This program includes multiple courses that cover various aspects of songwriting, from lyric writing and melody creation to performance and production. Students learn from Berklee’s esteemed faculty and gain hands-on experience through practical assignments and projects. The specialization is designed to help singer-songwriters develop their unique voice and style, making it ideal for those looking to pursue a career in music. The program also provides insights into the music industry, helping students navigate the business side of their careers.
