As a music major in college, I’ve always been fascinated by the art of songwriting. There’s something magical about crafting melodies and lyrics that can touch people’s hearts and souls. But let’s be honest, songwriting isn’t always easy. Sometimes, you find yourself staring at a blank page, desperately searching for inspiration. That’s where songwriting courses come in handy. They can provide the structure, guidance, and community that aspiring songwriters like us need to hone our craft.
Throughout my journey, I’ve discovered that investing in your songwriting skills can save you years of costly mistakes and accelerate your growth as an artist. Whether you’re a beginner looking to understand the basics or an experienced songwriter aiming to refine your techniques, there’s a course out there for you.
In this article, I’ll share my top 11 picks for the best songwriting courses available. These courses offer a range of perspectives and approaches, from industry professionals to academic institutions, all designed to help you unlock your creative potential and write better songs.
1. Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody – City Lit
City Lit’s “Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody” is a six-week online course designed for songwriters and instrumentalists looking to improve their lyric writing skills. Taught by experienced musician Polly Hewett, the course focuses on generating original ideas, structuring melodies, and using advanced techniques in lyrics and meter. Students collaborate with classmates, analyze songs from various genres, and work towards recording their own songs by the end of the course. The program emphasizes practical work and collaboration, making it an interactive and engaging learning experience for those looking to enhance their songwriting abilities.
2. Lyrics Writing Course by Jacob Carter
Jacob Carter’s Lyrics Writing Course offers a comprehensive and engaging approach to mastering the art of lyric writing. This online program is designed to cater to both beginners and experienced songwriters looking to enhance their skills. The course is structured into six modules that cover essential aspects of songwriting, from finding inspiration to collaborating with other artists.
The curriculum begins by exploring various creative writing methods to help students develop their unique style and find inspiration. It then delves into the intricacies of lyrical structure and style, analyzing famous song lyrics to provide practical examples. You can also read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs. As the course progresses, students learn how to transform their ideas into complete song drafts and refine their lyrics to resonate with their audience. The program also emphasizes the importance of literary tools such as imagery, metaphor, and characterization to create depth in songwriting.
One of the course’s strengths is its focus on genre-specific knowledge, helping students understand the common themes and conventions of different musical styles. This approach enables participants to tailor their lyrics to specific genres effectively. The final module covers the art of co-writing, an essential skill for collaborating with other artists and songwriters in the industry.
Throughout the course, students benefit from Jacob Carter’s decade-plus experience in the music industry. The program includes HD video lessons, printable resources, and hands-on exercises to provide a well-rounded learning experience. Upon completion, participants receive a certificate and gain lifetime access to all course materials, allowing them to revisit and refine their skills at their own pace.
3. The New Songwriter’s Workshop (Oli Rockberger)
Offered through Soundfly, “The New Songwriter’s Workshop” is led by acclaimed songwriter Oli Rockberger. This comprehensive course delves into the intricacies of songwriting, covering harmonic progressions, composing memorable melodies, and crafting resonant lyrics. It provides a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical exercises, making it suitable for songwriters at various skill levels. Participants can also opt for personalized mentorship to receive one-on-one guidance from an expert, enhancing their learning experience and allowing for tailored feedback on their work.
4. Songwriting: Writing, Arranging, and Producing Music (Berklee College of Music)
Berklee College of Music offers a comprehensive specialization on Coursera titled “Songwriting: Writing, Arranging, and Producing Music.” This four-course series covers the entire songwriting process, from lyric and melody writing to arranging and music production. Led by experienced Berklee faculty, including Erin Barra, the specialization guides students through creating lyrics, composing melodies, developing arrangements, and producing demos using Ableton Live. By the end of the program, students will have developed a complete song from concept to finished demo, gaining practical skills in modern songwriting and production techniques.
5. Songwriting and Composing Melodies (Lauren Buchter)
Lauren Buchter’s “Songwriting and Composing Melodies” is a concise yet comprehensive course available on Skillshare. This 30-minute course consists of 8 video lessons that cover essential aspects of songwriting, including chord progressions, melody creation, and lyric writing. Buchter, a film composer, brings her professional experience to the course, making it particularly valuable for beginners or those looking to refine their melodic composition skills. The course is designed to be practical, with a final project that allows students to apply what they’ve learned. While some prior musical knowledge is helpful, the course is accessible to those new to songwriting.
6. Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics (Berklee College of Music)
Offered by Berklee College of Music through Coursera, “Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics” is an in-depth course led by renowned lyricist and professor Pat Pattison. This course delves into the intricacies of lyric writing, focusing on techniques to enhance the emotional impact of songs. Students learn to define and identify key elements of songwriting, such as point of view, form, and the “who, what, where, when, and how” of a song. The course also covers advanced topics like using various rhyming techniques to evoke specific emotions and understanding the difference between assonance and consonance rhyme. With its comprehensive curriculum and expert instruction, this course is ideal for both beginners and experienced songwriters looking to refine their lyrical skills.
7. The Basics of Pro Songwriting (Tom Worth)
Tom Worth’s “The Basics of Pro Songwriting” is an online course that focuses on teaching the fundamentals of commercial songwriting. This course is designed to help aspiring songwriters understand the process used by professional songwriters to create hit songs. It covers essential topics such as song structure, melody and lyric writing, rhyme schemes, and phrasing. One of the key features of this course is its emphasis on avoiding common songwriting mistakes that can label a writer as an amateur. Worth shares the exact songwriting method used by professionals to write commercially successful songs across various genres, including pop, country, Christian, and rock. The course is suitable for both complete beginners and experienced songwriters looking to enhance their commercial appeal.
8. Toplining 101: Melody & Lyrics in Songwriting (Skillshare)
This Skillshare course, taught by songwriter Clare Dove, focuses on the art of toplining – creating melodies and lyrics over existing instrumental tracks. The course is designed for songwriters of all levels and covers essential aspects of melody and lyric creation. Students learn practical techniques for crafting memorable and meaningful toplining that connects with listeners. The course emphasizes hands-on learning, with students encouraged to work on a project throughout the class. Clare Dove provides feedback on students’ work, making it an interactive learning experience. The course is part of Skillshare’s subscription model, offering access to a wide range of creative classes.
9. Songwriting: Lyric Writing – Elevate with ICMP
Offered by the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP), this course is dedicated entirely to the craft of lyric writing. Priced at £19, it aims to provide students with a deep understanding of lyrics and lyric writing techniques. The course covers various strategies, including free writing and storyboarding, and emphasizes the importance of compelling narratives in songwriting. Students have the opportunity to write to brief multiple times, enhancing their ability to write from different perspectives. The course is designed to be flexible, allowing students to start and pause their learning at any time, and includes lifetime access to all course materials.
10. The Singer-Songwriter Specialization (Berklee College of Music)
This Coursera specialization, offered by Berklee College of Music, is a comprehensive program designed for aspiring and established songwriters. It consists of four courses covering different aspects of songwriting: writing lyrics, composing music, arranging, and producing demos. Led by experienced Berklee faculty, including Erin Barra, the specialization guides students through the entire process of creating a song, from initial concept to finished demo. The courses cover topics such as lyric writing techniques, melody composition, arrangement strategies, and music production using Ableton Live. This specialization is ideal for those looking to develop a well-rounded skill set in modern songwriting and production.
11. MasterClass: Songwriting with Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys’ MasterClass on songwriting offers a unique insight into the creative process of one of the music industry’s most successful artists. The course consists of 19 video lessons totaling 3 hours and 22 minutes, accompanied by a 15-page workbook. Keys covers various aspects of songwriting and music production, sharing her personal experiences and techniques. The course is particularly valuable for those new to the music industry, providing a clear insight from a renowned artist. Keys discusses how specific records were created, offering a blend of practical advice and inspirational anecdotes. While not as structured as some traditional courses, it provides a rare glimpse into the world of a pop star and her approach to songwriting and production.
