As someone who has always dreamed of composing my own music and writing songs that resonate with listeners, I’ve spent countless hours searching for the best resources to hone my craft. The journey of a songwriter is both exhilarating and challenging, filled with moments of inspiration and frustrating creative blocks. Whether you’re like me, just starting out and eager to learn the basics, or you’re a seasoned musician looking to refine your skills, finding the right guidance can make all the difference.
That’s why I’ve compiled this list of the 10 best songwriting courses available today. These programs offer a wealth of knowledge from industry professionals, acclaimed songwriters, and respected institutions.
1. Songwriting Simplified: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity – Udemy
This comprehensive course on Udemy is designed to guide students through the entire songwriting process, from basic music theory to creating a complete song. Taught by Steve Glazer, the course covers fundamental aspects of songwriting, including chord progressions, melody writing, and lyric composition. It’s particularly suitable for beginners, as it doesn’t require prior music theory knowledge or the ability to read music. By the end of the course, students will have written a complete song, including chords, melodies, and lyrics. The curriculum also includes practical tips for writing catchy melodies, transposing songs into different keys, and using popular chord progressions. With over 20 downloadable PDFs and easy-to-read charts, this course provides a comprehensive toolkit for aspiring songwriters.
2. Lyrics Writing Course by Jacob Carter
Jacob Carter’s Lyrics Writing Course is a comprehensive online program designed to help aspiring songwriters and lyricists hone their craft. The course offers a deep dive into the art of lyric writing, covering everything from finding inspiration to mastering complex literary techniques. With over 10 years of experience in the music industry, Carter brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to his students.
The course is structured into six modules, each focusing on a crucial aspect of lyric writing. Students begin by exploring methods to find inspiration and develop their unique writing style. They then progress to studying lyrical structure and style, learning how to craft compelling verses, choruses, and bridges. You can read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs The course also covers advanced topics such as using literary tools for depth, understanding genre-specific conventions, and collaborating with other writers.
One of the standout features of this course is its emphasis on practical application. Students engage in hands-on exercises and real-life applications, allowing them to immediately put their newfound knowledge into practice. The course is designed to be accessible to beginners while still offering valuable insights for more experienced songwriters. It’s particularly well-suited for those looking to create their own music or simply explore lyric writing as a creative outlet.
3. The Singer-Songwriter Specialization – Berklee College of Music
Offered by the prestigious Berklee College of Music through Coursera, this specialization is a four-course series designed to teach students how to write, perform, and record their original music. The program covers a wide range of skills, including the basics of guitar playing, vocal techniques, songwriting tools, and music production. Led by experienced instructors, including Erin Barra, the course helps students transform their ideas and emotions into unique songs. The specialization is suitable for beginners and provides practical skills for creating professional-sounding recordings. Students will learn about chord progressions, scales, strumming patterns, proper singing techniques, and basic songwriting tools. By the end of the program, participants will have developed the ability to write compelling lyrics, compose melodies, and produce their own music.
4. Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies – Berklee Online
This 12-week online course, authored by renowned songwriter Pat Pattison, is designed to enhance lyric writing skills for both beginners and experienced songwriters. The course focuses on generating better ideas, finding the right words, and organizing rhythms and rhymes into compelling verses, choruses, and bridges. Students engage in daily object writing activities and learn to create effective contrasts between sections to enhance the emotional impact of their lyrics. The curriculum covers essential techniques such as rhyme structure, notating rhyme schemes, and creating forward motion with rhyme. By the end of the course, participants will have developed a robust set of skills to craft vivid and emotionally resonant lyrics. The course also includes practical exercises and assignments to help students apply the concepts they’ve learned.
5. Songwriting: Lyric Writing – Elevate with ICMP
This focused course offered by the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) is dedicated entirely to the art of lyric writing. Priced affordably at £19, it aims to provide students with a deep understanding of lyrics and lyric writing techniques. The curriculum covers various lyric writing strategies, including free writing and storyboarding, emphasizing the importance of crafting great lyrics and compelling narratives. Students will have multiple opportunities to write to brief, enhancing their ability to create songs from different perspectives. The course is designed with flexibility in mind, allowing learners to start and pause their studies at any time. Additionally, it offers lifetime access to all course materials, making it an excellent resource for ongoing reference and practice.
6. The Art of Songwriting – Belmont University
Belmont University, renowned for producing exceptional songwriters, offers this comprehensive course as part of its online program. The curriculum is designed to elevate participants’ songwriting skills through instruction from industry professionals. Students learn to craft captivating melodies, overcome writer’s block, and apply technical aspects of songwriting such as rhyme schemes and song structure. The course also covers storytelling through song, effective collaboration in co-writing scenarios, and maintaining integrity in the music industry. With a roster of accomplished guest instructors, including Hall of Fame songwriters and Grammy winners, this course provides invaluable insights into building a sustainable songwriting career. Priced at $2,499, the 12-hour program is self-paced and asynchronous, catering to songwriters at various skill levels.
7. Songwriting: Create Lyric Writing Approaches – Academy of Music and Sound Online
This free four-week course, developed by AMSOnline (the online degree platform for The Academy of Music & Sound), is designed to invigorate the lyrical output of both beginner and experienced songwriters. The curriculum is structured to provide practical, creative tools and techniques that inspire and commit students to their writing aspirations. Each week focuses on different aspects of lyric writing, including “Show, Don’t Tell” techniques, methods for collecting inspiration, storytelling through narrative and metaphor, and maintaining authenticity in songwriting. The course emphasizes hands-on activities and creative exercises, encouraging students to develop their unique voice. While there are no formal assessments, participants are encouraged to engage in group forums, share their work, and provide feedback to peers. This course is particularly beneficial for songwriters experiencing writer’s block or those seeking to enhance their craft without committing to a full-time program.
8. Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics – Berklee College of Music
This course, offered by the prestigious Berklee College of Music, focuses exclusively on the art of lyric writing. Taught by Pat Pattison, a renowned songwriter and professor, the course delves deep into the craft of creating compelling lyrics. Students learn techniques for generating ideas, finding the right words, and organizing rhythms and rhymes into effective verses, choruses, and bridges. The curriculum covers essential concepts such as prosody, line-by-line writing, and the use of metaphor and imagery. Participants engage in practical exercises, including object writing, to enhance their lyrical creativity. By the end of the course, students will have developed a robust toolkit for crafting emotionally resonant and structurally sound lyrics.
9. Songwriting and Composing Melodies – Lauren Buchter
Lauren Buchter, an experienced songwriter and vocal coach, offers this comprehensive course on melody composition. The curriculum is designed to help students create memorable and emotionally impactful melodies. Buchter guides participants through various techniques for crafting melodies that complement lyrics and enhance the overall song structure. The course covers topics such as melodic contour, rhythm in melody, and the relationship between melody and harmony. Students learn practical strategies for overcoming writer’s block and developing their unique melodic style. Through a series of exercises and assignments, participants gain hands-on experience in composing melodies for different genres and moods.
10. MasterClass: Songwriting with Alicia Keys
This MasterClass course offers a unique opportunity to learn songwriting from 15-time Grammy Award-winning artist Alicia Keys. The curriculum provides an intimate look into Keys’ creative process, offering insights into her approach to melody, harmony, and lyrics. Students learn how to tap into their emotions to create authentic and powerful songs. The course covers various aspects of songwriting, including finding inspiration, developing hooks, and crafting memorable choruses. Keys shares personal anecdotes and practical tips for overcoming creative blocks and collaborating with other artists. With its blend of technical instruction and artistic inspiration, this course is suitable for both beginners and experienced songwriters looking to elevate their craft.
