As someone who’s been strumming away on my guitar for the past five years, I’ve finally reached a point where I feel comfortable with my playing skills. But there’s always been this nagging desire in the back of my mind – to create my own music, to pen lyrics that resonate with others, and to compose melodies that stick in people’s heads. That’s why I’ve decided to take the plunge into the world of songwriting.
If you’re anything like me, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed by the prospect of writing your first song. Where do you start? How do you turn those fleeting ideas into fully-fledged compositions? That’s where songwriting courses come in handy. They can provide the structure, guidance, and inspiration needed to kickstart your songwriting journey.
After spending countless hours researching and comparing various options, I’ve compiled a list of what I believe to be the 10 best songwriting courses available. Whether you’re a complete novice or looking to refine your existing skills, there’s something here for everyone.
1. The Singer-Songwriter Specialization (Berklee College of Music)
This comprehensive specialization offered by the prestigious Berklee College of Music is designed to transform aspiring musicians into well-rounded singer-songwriters. The course spans five months and covers a wide range of essential skills. Students begin by learning the fundamentals of guitar playing, including chords, scales, strumming patterns, and fingerpicking techniques. The program then delves into vocal training, teaching students how to sing healthfully in their preferred genre using proper breathing and vocal techniques. Songwriting is a key focus, with participants learning basic tools and techniques to enhance their lyric-writing abilities. The course also covers music production, teaching students how to record, edit, and mix professional-sounding recordings of their original compositions.
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. With over 10 years of experience in the music industry, Carter offers a unique blend of practical knowledge and creative insights to guide students through the intricacies of lyric writing.
The course is structured into six modules, covering essential aspects of songwriting such as finding inspiration, understanding lyrical structure and style, developing effective writing techniques, and mastering literary tools for depth. Students can expect to learn about genre-specific knowledge, collaboration skills, and gain valuable industry insights throughout the program. The curriculum is designed to cater to both beginners and experienced songwriters, providing a solid foundation while also offering advanced techniques to elevate one’s writing.
One of the course’s strengths lies in its practical approach. Students engage in hands-on exercises and real-life applications, allowing them to immediately apply the concepts they learn. The course also includes analysis of famous song lyrics, helping students understand how successful songwriters craft their messages. You can read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs. By the end of the program, participants can expect to have a deeper understanding of lyric writing, a toolkit of effective strategies, and the confidence to express themselves through their songs.
Jacob Carter, the founder of Lyrics Writing Course, brings a unique perspective to the program. With a background in English Literature from the University of Oxford and experience as a guitarist in an indie band, Carter combines academic knowledge with practical musicianship. His mission is to make lyric writing a common skill that anyone can use to express their feelings, aiming to teach at least 5,000 students worldwide about the art of crafting lyrics.
3. Songwriting: Create Lyric Writing Approaches (Academy of Music and Sound Online)
The Academy of Music and Sound Online offers a free four-week course titled “Songwriting: Creative Lyric Writing Approaches”. This course is designed to benefit both experienced songwriters and beginners, providing fresh and exciting approaches to creating lyrical content. Each week focuses on important elements of songwriting, featuring interviews, podcasts, and engaging activities. While there are no assessed exams or required submissions, students are encouraged to participate in group forums, share their work, and exchange feedback with fellow participants. This course is ideal for those looking to expand their lyrical creativity and requires only basic knowledge of song structure terminology, a writing pad, pen, and headphones.
4. The Art of Songwriting (Belmont University)
Belmont University’s “The Art of Songwriting” course is a foundational program that combines creativity, skill, and expression to empower learners on their journey to becoming exceptional songwriters. Led by Emily Falvey and a network of industry-renowned songwriters and music producers, this comprehensive course offers a perfect blend of theory and hands-on practice. Students learn a wide range of skills, including collaboration, communicating a song’s story sonically, coping with writer’s block, and developing a creative routine. The course also covers technical aspects such as employing different types of rhyme, identifying components of great melodies, and telling personal stories through song. By the end of the program, participants will have developed a more well-rounded and informed approach to songwriting.
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 easy but struggle with lyric writing. The six-week program, led by multi-instrumentalist and composer Polly Hewett, focuses on generating original ideas, understanding melody structure, and mastering lyrical techniques. Students learn to create lyrics from everyday experiences, explore song structure, and analyze works of various singer-songwriters across genres. The course emphasizes practical work and collaborations, encouraging students to develop their unique lyric writing style. By the end of the program, participants are expected to have completed an original song and gained skills in lyric creation, melodic composition, and song analysis.
6. Commercial Songwriting Techniques (Berklee Online)
Berklee Online’s Commercial Songwriting Techniques course, authored by industry veteran Andrea Stolpe, offers a comprehensive approach to writing hit songs. This non-credit course, priced at $1,290, combines theory with concrete skill-building exercises. Students learn a ten-step process for creating successful songs while maintaining their unique voice. The curriculum covers various aspects of songwriting, including creating patterns of content, using sensory details in lyrics, and streamlining the writing process. Over 12 weeks, participants explore different song sections, rhyme schemes, and the interplay between lyrics and music. The course aims to help writers connect with their audience emotionally and produce three completed songs by the end, along with ideas for future compositions.
7. Songwriting Hit Mastery: Lyric Writing, Music Theory (Udemy)
This Udemy course, taught by a professional songwriter with over 20 years of industry experience, offers a comprehensive guide to songwriting for beginners and experienced writers alike. The program covers a wide range of topics, including song structures, theme development, lyric writing, melody construction, and chord progressions. With over 70 video lessons totaling more than 3.5 hours of content, the course also delves into music business essentials for songwriters, such as collaboration techniques, industry networking, and revenue streams. Students receive PDF exercises for each section to practice and reinforce their learning. The course is designed to be accessible on various devices and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it a flexible and risk-free option for aspiring songwriters.
8. Songwriting Simplified: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity (Udemy)
This Udemy course, designed for beginners and intermediate songwriters, offers a comprehensive approach to songwriting. The course covers fundamental aspects of music theory, chord progressions, melody writing, and lyric composition. Students are guided through a step-by-step process to write a complete song by the end of the course. The curriculum includes practical exercises on creating catchy melodies, understanding chord progressions used in popular music genres, and techniques for transposing songs into different keys. With over 20 downloadable PDF resources and video lessons, the course provides a hands-on learning experience. It’s particularly beneficial for those who can play basic chords on piano or guitar but don’t necessarily read music.
9. Songwriting and Composing Melodies (Lauren Buchter)
Lauren Buchter’s course on Skillshare focuses on creating memorable melodies and composing songs that tell stories. Drawing from her experience as a film and TV composer, Buchter offers insights into crafting melodies that evoke specific emotions. The course is structured around a practical project where students create a custom piece of music based on a “creative brief,” simulating real-world composing scenarios. This approach is particularly useful for aspiring songwriters and composers looking to work in film, TV, or advertising. While some prior musical knowledge is helpful, the course is designed to be accessible to beginners as well.
10. The New Songwriter’s Workshop (Oli Rockberger)
Offered through Soundfly.com, Oli Rockberger’s workshop is tailored for songwriters looking to elevate their craft. The course covers foundational elements of songwriting, including melody writing, harmonic strategies, and song structure. Rockberger, an accomplished musician and songwriter, shares his personal techniques for generating ideas and overcoming creative blocks. The workshop includes practical exercises and examples from Rockberger’s own work, providing valuable real-world insights. This course is particularly beneficial for those who have some songwriting experience but want to refine their skills and develop a more professional approach to their craft.
