As a singer, I’ve always been drawn to the power of music and its ability to touch people’s hearts. For years, I’ve poured my soul into interpreting other artists’ songs, but there’s always been a nagging desire to create my own musical stories. The problem? I had no idea where to start. That’s when I decided to dive into the world of songwriting courses, hoping to unlock the secrets behind crafting those unforgettable melodies and lyrics that stick with you long after the last note fades.
After countless hours of research and personal experience, I’ve compiled a list of the 10 best songwriting courses that can help aspiring songwriters like myself turn their musical dreams into reality. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your existing skills, these courses offer something for everyone.
1. How to Write Your First Song (The University of Sheffield)
This comprehensive 6-week online course offered by The University of Sheffield through FutureLearn provides a practical introduction to songwriting fundamentals. Designed for beginners and experienced songwriters alike, the course covers essential elements like setting words to music, working with melody, chord progressions, and song structures. Students learn through a combination of video lessons, practical exercises, and guidance from professional musicians. By the end of the course, participants will have composed their own original song, gaining hands-on experience with the songwriting process. The course is free to audit, with a paid certificate option available.
2. Lyrics Writing Course by Jacob Carter
Jacob Carter’s Lyrics Writing Course offers a comprehensive online program designed to help aspiring songwriters and lyricists hone their craft. The course is structured into six modules that cover essential aspects of lyric writing, from finding inspiration to collaborating with other artists. Carter, a seasoned lyricist with over 10 years of experience and a background in English Literature from the University of Oxford, brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to the course.
The curriculum is designed to cater to both beginners and experienced songwriters, providing a solid foundation in lyrical structure, style, and technique. Students can expect to learn various creative writing methods, analyze famous song lyrics, and develop their unique writing style. The course also delves into more advanced topics such as genre-specific writing, the use of literary devices, and the art of co-writing.
One of the course’s strengths is its focus on practical application. Throughout the modules, students engage in hands-on exercises and real-life applications, allowing them to immediately put their newfound knowledge into practice. The course materials include HD video lessons, printable resources, and industry insider tips, all accessible through a user-friendly online platform.
Carter’s approach emphasizes the importance of developing depth in songwriting, encouraging students to explore imagery, metaphor, and characterization in their lyrics. This focus on literary techniques sets the course apart, helping students create more meaningful and impactful songs. The course also addresses the business side of songwriting, providing insights into industry practices and collaboration skills.
Jacob Carter’s background and passion for lyric writing shine through in the course content. His experience studying contemporary poetry and song lyrics at Oxford, combined with his practical experience as a guitarist in an indie band, provides a well-rounded perspective on the art of songwriting. This blend of academic knowledge and hands-on experience makes Carter a credible and relatable instructor.
The Lyrics Writing Course aims to democratize lyric writing education, making it accessible to anyone interested in expressing themselves through song. With its comprehensive curriculum, practical approach, and experienced instructor, this course offers valuable tools and insights for those looking to elevate their songwriting skills and unleash their creativity.
3. Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies (Berklee Online)
Berklee Online offers this in-depth course on lyric writing taught by renowned songwriter Pat Pattison. The 12-week undergraduate-level program focuses on honing lyric writing skills through various techniques and strategies. Students learn to generate ideas more effectively, find the right words to express those ideas, and organize rhythms and rhymes into compelling song structures. The course covers topics like object writing, balancing line numbers, rhyme techniques, and metaphor usage. With its comprehensive curriculum and expert instruction, this course is ideal for both beginners and seasoned writers looking to elevate their lyrical craft.
4. Toplining 101: Melody & Lyrics in Songwriting (Skillshare)
This Skillshare course, taught by experienced songwriter Clare Dove, focuses on the art of “toplining” – creating melodies and lyrics for existing instrumental tracks. The course provides practical, usable steps and creative inspiration for developing a personal writing style. It covers essential aspects of melody building, lyric writing, and overcoming creative blocks. Suitable for producers, artists, and complete beginners, the course aims to equip students with the tools to consistently create memorable, meaningful melodies and lyrics. The hands-on approach includes writing exercises and encourages students to record their ideas using simple tools like voice memo apps.
5. Songwriting Simplified: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity (Udemy)
This comprehensive Udemy course, taught by professional music coach Steve Glazer, is designed for beginners and intermediate songwriters alike. The course covers fundamental aspects of songwriting, including music theory basics, chord progressions, melody writing, and lyric composition. Students learn practical techniques for creating catchy melodies, writing meaningful lyrics, and structuring songs effectively. By the end of the course, participants will have written a complete song, applying the skills they’ve learned.
The course is particularly beneficial for those with basic piano or guitar skills, as it doesn’t require prior knowledge of music theory or the ability to read music. It includes over 20 downloadable PDFs and covers topics such as transposing songs into different keys and insider tips for writing catchier melodies. With its step-by-step approach and focus on practical application, this course offers excellent value for aspiring songwriters looking to develop their craft.
6. The New Songwriter’s Workshop (Oli Rockberger)
Offered through Soundfly, this course is led by accomplished musician and songwriter Oli Rockberger, known for his work with artists like John Mayer. The workshop is tailored for beginners looking to elevate their songwriting skills to a more professional level. Rockberger shares strategies for crafting melodies, harmonies, and lyrics, drawing from his extensive experience in the music industry.
The course is structured to provide a solid foundation in songwriting techniques while encouraging students to develop their unique artistic voice. It covers essential elements of the craft, including song structure, thematic development, and creative processes. With its focus on practical application and industry insights, this workshop is an excellent choice for those seeking to bridge the gap between amateur and professional songwriting.
7. The Singer-Songwriter Specialization (Berklee College of Music)
This comprehensive specialization, offered by the prestigious Berklee College of Music, is designed to develop well-rounded singer-songwriters. The program consists of four courses that cover various aspects of the craft, including guitar playing, vocal techniques, songwriting, and music production.
Students learn fundamental songwriting tools and techniques, healthy singing practices, basic guitar skills, and introductory music production using digital audio workstations. The specialization takes about five months to complete and is suitable for beginners. It provides a holistic approach to singer-songwriter development, equipping students with the skills to not only write songs but also perform and produce them.
The coursework includes practical exercises in lyric writing, melody composition, and song structure analysis. Students also learn to identify and utilize various rhyming techniques, understand the impact of line lengths and stressed syllables in lyrics, and use phrasing effectively to convey ideas. This comprehensive program is ideal for those looking to develop a broad skill set in the singer-songwriter domain.
8. Commercial Songwriting Techniques – Berklee Online
This 12-week online course, authored by Andrea Stolpe, offers a comprehensive approach to writing commercially viable songs. Stolpe, who has written for artists like Faith Hill and Josh Gracin, shares her expertise through a unique blend of theory and practical skill-building exercises. The course focuses on creating patterns of content that lead to memorable melodies and emotionally resonant lyrics – key elements of hit songs.
Students learn a ten-step process for reproducing traits of successful songs while maintaining their unique voice. The course covers techniques like “toggling” between detailed and broad perspectives, and “destination writing” which uses all senses as creative springboards. By the end of the course, participants will have completed three fully written songs and developed ideas for many more, all organized in a way that’s accessible to mainstream audiences.
9. Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody – City Lit
This six-week online course, offered by City Lit, is designed for songwriters and instrumentalists who find melody creation easy but struggle with lyric writing. The course encourages collaboration among class members, allowing students to play along with each other or sing ideas. By the end of the course, participants aim to record their own song(s).
The curriculum covers a range of topics, including generating original ideas from everyday experiences, understanding melody structure, and exploring both basic and advanced techniques in lyric writing. Students learn about metre, rhythm, scanning, and emphasis in lyrics. The course also includes analysis of works by singer-songwriters and bands across various genres, from the 1930s to the present day. This comprehensive approach helps students develop their own lyric writing style and effectively structure their ideas.
10. Songwriting: Writing, Arranging, and Producing Music – Berklee College of Music
This specialization, offered by Berklee College of Music through Coursera, is a four-course series designed for both aspiring and established songwriters. The program covers all aspects of songwriting, from lyric and music writing to arranging and producing.
The first course focuses on lyric writing, teaching students to define point of view, form, and other essential elements of a song. The second course delves into music writing, helping students find inspiration and develop melodies. The third course covers arranging, guiding students in taking their songs from simple recordings to fully arranged pieces ready for the studio. The final course introduces Ableton Live, teaching students to navigate the digital audio workstation, program MIDI instruments, and create a complete piece of music.
Throughout the specialization, students engage in various practical activities to refine their musical ideas. By the end of the program, participants will have developed skills in generating effective lyrics, creating supporting melodies and harmonies, constructing balanced arrangements, and producing song demos using professional software.
