11 Songwriting Courses for Every Skill Level
As a fellow songwriter, I know how exhilarating yet challenging the journey of crafting the perfect song can be. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, finding the right guidance can make all the difference. Over the years, I’ve explored numerous resources and courses to help me navigate the intricate world of songwriting.
In this article, I’m excited to share with you the 11 best songwriting courses that have stood out for their comprehensive content, expert instruction, and practical insights. These courses have not only helped me grow as a songwriter but have also inspired countless others to find their unique voice and create music that resonates.
1. The Lyric Writer’s Workroom – Songcraft
The Lyric Writer’s Workroom, created by Nick, is an online resource dedicated to helping songwriters hone their craft. The course covers a wide range of songwriting techniques, from generating fresh song ideas to mastering various rhyme schemes. It emphasizes the importance of practice and continual improvement, offering practical advice on writing memorable choruses and setting lyrics to music. The course encourages songwriters to find inspiration in everyday life and provides tools to capture and develop these ideas into compelling songs.
2. Lyrics Writing Course by Jacob Carter
The Lyrics Writing Course by Jacob Carter is a comprehensive online program designed to elevate the skills and creativity of aspiring lyricists and songwriters. With over a decade of experience in the music industry, Jacob Carter has crafted a course that delves deep into the art of lyric writing, offering practical insights and industry knowledge through a structured curriculum.
The course is divided into six modules, each focusing on a critical aspect of lyric writing. The first module, Finding Your Inspiration, helps students explore various creative writing methods to discover their unique style. The second module, Lyrical Structure and Style, teaches the fundamentals of writing styles, structures, and formats by analyzing famous song lyrics. You can also read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs.
In the third module, How to Write Lyrics, students learn to transform their ideas into complete song drafts, refining their lyrics for maximum impact.
The fourth module, Developing Songwriting Depth, emphasizes the use of literary tools such as imagery, metaphor, and characterization to create unforgettable lyrics. This module includes analyzing famous songs to understand how they convey messages through words.
The fifth module, Understanding Genre, explores the conventions and themes of different music genres, enabling students to tailor their lyrics to specific styles.
The final module, Learn How to Co-write, provides tips on collaborating with other artists and songwriters, an essential skill for any lyricist.
Students of the Lyrics Writing Course benefit from a variety of resources, including HD video lessons, printable course packs, and real-life exercises. The course also offers lifetime access to all materials, allowing students to learn at their own pace and revisit the content as needed. Additionally, students have the option to receive one-on-one mentoring for a more personalized learning experience.
3. The New Songwriter’s Workshop (Oli Rockberger)
Offered through Soundfly, The New Songwriter’s Workshop is led by acclaimed songwriter Oli Rockberger. This course delves into the intricacies of songwriting, focusing on harmonic progressions, composing memorable melodies, and crafting lyrics that resonate. It provides a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical exercises, making it suitable for songwriters at various levels. Participants can also opt for personalized mentorship to receive one-on-one guidance from an expert, enhancing their learning experience.
4. How to Write Your First Song (The University of Sheffield)
This free online course from the University of Sheffield provides a comprehensive introduction to songwriting. It covers the fundamental elements of song construction, including melody, chords, and song forms. The course is structured in a way that allows beginners to gradually build their skills, starting from the basics of writing lyrics and music to more advanced topics like chord progressions and song structures. The course also features insights from established songwriters, providing learners with real-world perspectives on the songwriting process.
5. The Fine Art of Songwriting (Steve Leslie)
Steve Leslie, a Grammy-winning songwriter, offers this intensive course through Indie Music Academy. The Fine Art of Songwriting spans five weeks of daily video training, complete with real-time musical examples, downloadable workbooks, chord charts, and lyric sheets. Leslie’s extensive experience in the music industry is evident in the course content, which aims to connect songwriters with their listeners on a deeper level. The course is designed for artists of all genres and focuses on practical skills and techniques that can elevate a songwriter’s craft.
6. Songwriting: Writing, Arranging, and Producing Music (Berklee College of Music)
This specialization from Berklee College of Music, available on Coursera, is a comprehensive series of four courses that cover all aspects of songwriting. The curriculum includes writing lyrics, composing music, arranging songs, and producing music using digital audio workstations like Ableton Live. Each course is designed to build on the previous one, providing a structured learning path that takes students from the basics to advanced songwriting techniques. The final project involves producing a polished song demo, allowing students to apply what they have learned in a practical setting.
7. MasterClass: Songwriting with Alicia Keys
In her MasterClass, Alicia Keys provides an intimate look into her songwriting and production process. The course consists of 19 video lessons totaling 3 hours and 22 minutes, where Alicia shares her personal experiences and techniques. She delves into how she creates melodies, structures songs, and integrates various elements to produce cohesive and impactful music. This course is ideal for those new to the music industry, offering a blend of anecdotal insights and practical advice from one of the industry’s brightest stars.
8. Songwriting Simplified: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity – Udemy
This Udemy course, titled “Songwriting Simplified,” covers the essentials of music theory, chord progressions, melody writing, and lyric crafting. It promises that by the end of the course, students will have written a complete song. The course is designed for pianists and guitarists, providing easy-to-read charts and practical exercises to help learners understand and apply songwriting techniques used by professional songwriters in pop, country, and rock genres. It’s a comprehensive guide for beginners looking to write songs like the pros.
9. Songwriting and Composing Melodies (Lauren Buchter)
Available on Skillshare, this course by Lauren Buchter focuses on creating memorable melodies and songs that tell stories. It introduces techniques for composing melodies that evoke specific emotions and fit various contexts, such as film and TV. The course uses a “creative brief” approach, allowing students to create custom pieces of music. It is suitable for aspiring songwriters and composers, providing practical insights from a professional in the industry.
10. Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics (Berklee College of Music)
Part of Berklee College of Music’s offerings on Coursera, this course is dedicated to the art of lyric writing. Taught by Pat Pattison, it covers the fundamentals of crafting lyrics that effectively express ideas and emotions. The course includes lessons on point of view, rhyme schemes, phrasing, and the emotional impact of lyrics. It is beginner-friendly and does not require prior songwriting experience, making it an excellent starting point for those looking to develop their lyric-writing skills.
11. The Basics of Pro Songwriting (Tom Worth)
Tom Worth’s course on Udemy, “The Basics of Pro Songwriting,” offers a deep dive into the fundamentals of commercial songwriting. Spanning approximately six hours, the course covers song structure, melody, lyric writing, rhyme schemes, and phrasing. Worth shares industry secrets and common pitfalls to avoid, aiming to elevate students’ songwriting to a professional level. This course is suitable for both beginners and experienced songwriters looking to refine their craft and achieve commercial success.
