As a songwriter, I’ve always believed that the magic of a great song lies in its ability to connect with listeners on a deeply personal level. Whether you’re a seasoned musician or just starting out, honing your songwriting skills can be a transformative journey.
Over the years, I’ve explored various courses to improve my craft, and I know firsthand how valuable structured learning can be. That’s why I’ve put together this list of the 11 best songwriting courses available today.
Each course offers unique insights and techniques, catering to different aspects of songwriting, from lyrical mastery to melodic composition.
1. Commercial Songwriting Techniques – Berklee Online
This 12-week course, authored by Andrea Stolpe, focuses on developing commercial songwriting skills. Students learn a 10-step process for creating hit songs while maintaining their unique voice. The course covers techniques like “toggling” between detail and broader perspectives, and “destination writing” to enhance descriptive skills. By the end, participants will have completed three full songs and developed ideas for many more. Priced at $1,545 for credit or $1,290 for non-credit.
2. Lyrics Writing Course by Jacob Carter
Jacob Carter’s Lyrics Writing Course is a comprehensive online program designed to enhance the skills and creativity of aspiring lyricists and songwriters. With over a decade of experience in the music industry, Jacob Carter has crafted a curriculum that delves deep into the art of lyric writing, offering practical insights and hands-on exercises.
The course is structured into six detailed modules, each focusing on different aspects of lyric writing:
- Finding Your Inspiration: This module helps students discover their unique style and find inspiration through various creative writing methods.
- Lyrical Structure and Style: Students learn about different writing styles, structures, and formats by analyzing famous song lyrics and songwriters. You can also read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs.
- How to Write Lyrics: This lesson focuses on turning ideas into complete song drafts that resonate with both the writer and the audience.
- Developing Songwriting Depth: This module teaches the use of literary tools such as imagery, metaphor, and characterization to create unforgettable lyrics.
- Understanding Genre: Students explore the conventions and themes of different music genres to tailor their lyrics accordingly.
- Learn How to Co-write: This lesson provides tips on collaborating with other artists and making the most out of the co-writing process.
The course is packed with HD video lessons, printable resources, and real-life exercises, making it accessible and engaging for students at any level. Participants will also receive feedback on their finished songs, helping them refine their skills further.
Priced at $997, the course offers lifetime access to all materials, including future updates, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Students can also opt for one-on-one mentoring for an additional fee, providing personalized guidance to further enhance their learning experience.
3. How to Write Lyrics – The Song Foundry
Taught by Ed Bell, this comprehensive course covers all aspects of lyric writing. It includes over 5 hours of video lessons across 7 modules, plus a 32-page course booklet. Topics range from the hallmarks of great lyrics to advanced techniques like simile, metaphor, and alliteration. The course also features a bonus module analyzing Charlie Puth’s “Done for Me”. Priced at $37, it offers lifetime access to all materials.
4. Songwriting and Composing Melodies – Lauren Buchter
This Skillshare course teaches techniques for creating memorable melodies and storytelling through song. Aimed at both beginners and experienced songwriters, it covers what makes melodies evoke specific emotions. The course uses a “creative brief” approach, simulating real-world composing for film, TV, and advertising. Some prior musical knowledge is helpful but not required.
5. The Basics of Pro Songwriting – Tom Worth
Led by Tom Worth, a professional songwriter with over 20 years of experience in New York and Nashville, this Udemy course covers the fundamentals of professional songwriting. It covers essential techniques and industry insights based on Worth’s extensive career.
6. The Fine Art of Songwriting – Steve Leslie
Created by Grammy-winning songwriter Steve Leslie, this 5-week course offers daily training to help songwriters connect more deeply with their listeners. It covers a wide range of topics including song structure, lyric writing, melody crafting, and music theory specifically for songwriters. The course also includes song breakdowns, assignments, quizzes, and networking opportunities. Priced at $25 per month, it provides ongoing access to new content and video conferencing events.
7. Songwriting Simplified: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity – Udemy
This course, taught by Steve Glazer, is designed for beginners and covers the fundamentals of music theory, chord progressions, melody writing, and lyric writing. Students will learn to write a complete song by the end of the course using a step-by-step approach. The course includes practical music theory, songwriting tips, and tricks, and does not require prior knowledge of music theory or the ability to read music. It also provides easy-to-read charts for piano and guitar chords and scales, as well as downloadable PDFs for reference. Priced affordably on Udemy, it caters to anyone interested in writing songs, including guitarists, pianists, and singers.
8. Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics – Berklee College of Music
This course from Berklee College of Music offers a comprehensive introduction to the craft of lyric writing. It covers the relationship of words to music, song structure, and the importance of lyrics in the music industry. Designed for students contemplating a career in songwriting or music-related fields, it includes in-class discussions, exercises, and assignments to help students develop their skills. The course is part of Berklee’s broader songwriting curriculum, which includes various other modules and seminars for a well-rounded education in songwriting.
9. The New Songwriter’s Workshop – Oli Rockberger
Offered through Soundfly, this course by acclaimed songwriter Oli Rockberger focuses on harmonic progressions and composing memorable melodies. It provides insights into the creative processes used by professional songwriters and includes practical exercises to help students develop their own songwriting skills. The course is available via subscription, which also grants access to other creative courses on Soundfly. Students can opt for additional 1-on-1 mentorship for personalized guidance.
10. How to Write Your First Song – The University of Sheffield
This free online course from the University of Sheffield provides a practical introduction to songwriting. It covers the mechanics of songwriting and features sessions with established songwriters who share their experiences and techniques. The course includes video tutorials, practical exercises, and opportunities to create and refine original songs. It is designed for beginners and aims to demystify the songwriting process, making it accessible to anyone interested in writing their first song.
11. The Art of Songwriting – Belmont University
Belmont University’s Art of Songwriting course is designed to elevate students’ songwriting skills and help them build a sustainable career. Taught by industry professionals, including Grammy-winning songwriters and top publishing executives, the course covers technical aspects of songwriting, such as rhyme, song structure, and commercial melodic structure. It also addresses creative inspiration, collaboration, and maintaining artistic integrity. The course is priced at $2,499 and is suitable for songwriters at various levels, offering a blend of asynchronous, self-paced learning with opportunities for networking and mentorship.