As a budding saxophonist, I’ve always been captivated by the soulful melodies and expressive power of music. But lately, I’ve found myself yearning to do more than just interpret others’ compositions. I want to create my own musical stories, to weave lyrics and melodies that resonate with listeners the way my favorite songs have always resonated with me. That’s why I’ve decided to embark on a new musical journey: learning the art of songwriting.
In my quest to find the best resources for this exciting new endeavor, I’ve discovered that the world of songwriting education is vast and varied. From online courses taught by Grammy-winning artists to comprehensive programs offered by prestigious music schools, there’s no shortage of options for aspiring songwriters. Whether you’re a complete novice or a seasoned musician looking to hone your craft, there’s a course out there that can help you unlock your creative potential.
In this article, I’ll share my findings on the 10 best songwriting courses available today. These programs cover everything from the basics of lyric writing to advanced techniques in melody composition and music production.
1. The Basics of Pro Songwriting (Tom Worth)
This comprehensive course, taught by professional songwriter Tom Worth, offers aspiring songwriters a deep dive into the world of commercial songwriting. The course covers fundamental aspects of songwriting, including song structure, melody writing, and lyric composition. What sets this course apart is its focus on professional techniques used by industry experts to create hit songs. Worth shares the exact songwriting process employed by professionals to craft chart-topping hits across various genres, including pop, country, Christian, and rock. Additionally, the course helps students identify and avoid common amateur mistakes that can turn off industry professionals, giving them a competitive edge in the music business.
2. Lyrics Writing Course by Jacob Carter
Jacob Carter’s Lyrics Writing Course offers a comprehensive and accessible approach to mastering the art of lyric writing. Designed for beginners, songwriters, and singer-songwriters alike, this online course provides a structured path to developing and refining lyrical skills. The program is divided into six modules, each focusing on crucial aspects of songwriting, from finding inspiration to understanding genre conventions and collaborative writing techniques.
The course stands out for its practical approach, combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on exercises. Students can expect to engage with HD video lessons, printable resources, and real-life applications that help translate learning into tangible songwriting skills. Carter, drawing from his background in English Literature from the University of Oxford and his experience as a lyricist and indie band member, brings a unique blend of academic insight and practical industry knowledge to the course.
One of the course’s strengths lies in its flexibility and accessibility. Students have lifetime access to the course materials, allowing them to learn at their own pace and revisit lessons as needed. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including creative writing methods, lyrical structure and style, effective lyric writing techniques, and the use of literary tools to add depth to songwriting. Additionally, the course offers insights into genre-specific writing and collaboration skills, providing a well-rounded education in modern songwriting.
Carter’s mission extends beyond just teaching songwriting techniques. He aims to popularize lyric writing education and make it a common skill accessible to anyone wishing to express their feelings through words and music. This philosophy is reflected in the course’s design, which caters to both aspiring professional songwriters and those who simply want to explore lyric writing as a form of personal expression.
The Lyrics Writing Course also emphasizes the development of a unique writing style. Through analysis of famous song lyrics and exploration of various writing techniques, students are encouraged to find their own voice and create lyrics that resonate with their intended audience. The course promises to equip participants with the confidence and tools necessary to tackle new lyric projects and develop their songwriting abilities continuously.
3. The Fine Art of Songwriting (Steve Leslie)
Grammy Award-winning songwriter Steve Leslie brings his extensive experience to this course, offering students insights gained from his 25-year career in the music industry. Leslie’s course is designed to help songwriters connect with their listeners on a deeper level, regardless of their preferred style or genre. The program is structured as a five-week intensive, providing daily training to fully immerse students in the songwriting process. Leslie’s approach focuses on teaching the principles behind great songwriting that apply across all styles, making it suitable for artists at various stages of their careers. With his impressive track record of writing for renowned artists like George Strait, Darius Rucker, and Kenny Rogers, Leslie offers invaluable industry knowledge and practical songwriting techniques.
4. Songwriting Simplified: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity (Udemy)
This Udemy course takes a practical approach to songwriting, promising to guide students through the entire process of writing a complete song by the end of the course. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including music theory fundamentals, chord progressions, melody writing, and lyric composition. One of the course’s strengths is its accessibility, as it caters to both pianists and guitarists, and even provides basic chord instruction for singers looking to become more independent in their songwriting. The course also includes valuable resources such as chord and scale charts for various instruments, as well as examples of hit chord progressions in different genres. With its step-by-step approach and focus on practical application, this course is particularly well-suited for beginners or those looking to solidify their songwriting foundations.
5. Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody – City Lit
This online course offered by City Lit is designed for songwriters and instrumentalists who find creating melodies easier than writing lyrics. Taught by Polly Hewett, the six-week program focuses on generating original lyrical ideas, structuring melodies, and using advanced techniques in lyrics and meter. The course emphasizes practical work and collaboration, making it an interactive learning experience. Students will explore various aspects of songwriting, including generating ideas from everyday experiences, analyzing the work of established songwriters across different genres, and developing their own unique lyric writing style. By the end of the course, participants are expected to have finished their own song, with opportunities to collaborate with classmates and record their creations.
6. Commercial Songwriting Techniques – Berklee Online
This undergraduate-level online course, offered by the prestigious Berklee College of Music, is taught by Andrea Stolpe, a seasoned songwriter with over a decade of experience in the commercial music industry. The course combines theory and concrete skill-building, focusing on creating patterns of content that help craft memorable melodies and emotionally resonant lyrics. Students learn a ten-step process for reproducing traits of successful songs while maintaining their unique voice. The curriculum covers various aspects of songwriting, including toggling between detailed and broad perspectives, using sensory descriptions for creativity, and streamlining the writing process. By the end of the course, students will have completed three full songs and developed ideas for many more, gaining valuable skills in commercial songwriting techniques.
7. How to Write Your First Song – The University of Sheffield
Offered through FutureLearn, this six-week course is designed to introduce beginners to the fundamentals of songwriting. Led by Adam White, a professional musician and associate lecturer at The Open University, the course covers essential elements such as setting words to rhythm, exploring melody creation, understanding chord progressions, and arranging songs. Each week builds upon the previous one, guiding students through the process of writing their first song. The curriculum includes practical exercises and analyses of existing songs to help students understand different songwriting techniques. With a focus on accessibility, this course is suitable for anyone interested in learning the basics of songwriting, regardless of their musical background. By the end of the program, participants will have gone through the entire process of composing their own original song.
8. MasterClass: Songwriting with Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys, a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and musician, offers an insightful and inspiring course on songwriting through MasterClass. This 3-hour and 22-minute course consists of 19 lessons that delve into Keys’ creative process, songwriting techniques, and music production. The course covers a wide range of topics, including finding inspiration, writing lyrics and melodies, and working in the music industry. Keys shares personal anecdotes and provides detailed walk-throughs of her songwriting process, making the course both entertaining and educational. While the course is heavily focused on Keys’ own methods, which may make it somewhat subjective, it offers valuable insights for aspiring songwriters across various genres. The course is particularly beneficial for fans of Alicia Keys and those looking for inspiration in their songwriting journey.
9. The Singer-Songwriter Specialization (Berklee College of Music)
Offered by the prestigious Berklee College of Music, this specialization is a comprehensive program designed to develop aspiring songwriters’ skills in writing, arranging, and producing music. The specialization consists of four courses, each focusing on a different aspect of songwriting: lyrics, music, arranging, and production using Ableton Live. Led by experienced Berklee faculty, the courses provide a structured approach to songwriting, covering topics such as generating effective lyrics, creating melodies and accompaniment, developing balanced arrangements, and producing song demos. The program is suitable for beginners with basic musical knowledge and offers hands-on projects to apply learned concepts. By the end of the specialization, students will have created a portfolio of original songs and recordings, gaining practical skills applicable to various genres and styles of music.
10. The New Songwriter’s Workshop (Oli Rockberger)
Created by pianist and producer Oli Rockberger, The New Songwriter’s Workshop is an online course designed primarily for beginning songwriters. What sets this course apart is its strong emphasis on melody, making it unique among songwriting courses. The program is divided into nine sections, with Rockberger claiming that students will be able to write a basic song after completing just the first two sections. The course begins with the fundamentals of song construction and then focuses heavily on discovering and developing original melodies.
Rockberger also introduces various songwriting techniques, expanding students’ understanding of the creative possibilities in songwriting. Available through Shutterfly for $19 per month, this course offers a structured approach to learning songwriting basics with a particular focus on melodic development. While it’s primarily aimed at beginners, the course’s unique emphasis on melody could also benefit more experienced songwriters looking to enhance their skills in this specific area.
