As a high school student with dreams of becoming a songwriter, I’ve always been fascinated by the magic of turning emotions and experiences into lyrics and melodies. But let’s face it, songwriting isn’t just about waiting for inspiration to strike – it’s a craft that can be learned and perfected. That’s why I’ve spent countless hours researching the best songwriting courses out there, hoping to find the perfect mix of creativity and technique to kickstart my future music career.
From online platforms to prestigious music schools, I’ve discovered a treasure trove of courses that cater to aspiring songwriters like me. Whether you’re a complete beginner or already have a few songs under your belt, there’s something here for everyone. These courses cover everything from the basics of lyric writing to advanced melody composition, and even offer insights from industry professionals.
So, if you’re anything like me – young, ambitious, and eager to make your mark in the music world – you’re in the right place. I’ve compiled a list of the 11 best songwriting courses that I believe can help transform our musical dreams into reality.
1. Songwriting and Composing Melodies – Lauren Buchter
This concise 30-minute course on Skillshare is taught by film composer Lauren Buchter. It consists of 8 video lessons covering chord progressions, melodies, and lyrics. As a professional film and TV composer, Buchter brings her expertise in creating emotive scores that blend traditional orchestration with electronics. This beginner-level course is ideal for those wanting a quick but productive introduction to songwriting fundamentals. Some basic music knowledge and ability to record is helpful for the final project.
2. Lyrics Writing Course by Jacob Carter
Jacob Carter’s Lyrics Writing Course offers a comprehensive approach to mastering the art of lyric writing. Designed for both beginners and experienced songwriters, this online program provides a deep dive into the intricacies of crafting compelling lyrics. The course is structured into six modules, covering essential topics such as finding inspiration, understanding lyrical structure and style, developing songwriting depth, and learning the art of co-writing.
Led by Jacob Carter, a seasoned lyricist with over a decade of experience in the music industry, the course combines theoretical knowledge with practical exercises. Students can expect to gain insights into various creative writing methods, analyze famous song lyrics, and develop their unique writing style. You can read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs. The curriculum includes lessons on genre-specific writing techniques and the use of literary tools like imagery and metaphor to enhance lyrical depth.
One of the course’s strengths is its flexibility, allowing students to learn at their own pace through HD video lessons and downloadable resources. The program also offers lifetime access to course materials, ensuring that students can revisit lessons and continue refining their skills long after completing the initial coursework.
Additionally, the course includes writing prompts and exercises to help students apply what they’ve learned in real-world scenarios.
3. The New Songwriter’s Workshop – Oli Rockberger
Created by professional pianist, producer and songwriter Oli Rockberger, this course on Soundfly has a strong focus on melody. It begins with lessons on song structure basics before diving deep into finding and creating unique melodies. Rockberger also explores different approaches to songwriting, broadening students’ perspectives. With 9 sections of multiple lessons, it’s best suited for piano-based songwriters but valuable for any musician wanting to learn varied songwriting strategies. Rockberger brings extensive industry experience, having worked with artists like Laura Mvula and Jordan Rakei.
4. Toplining 101: Melody & Lyrics in Songwriting – Skillshare
This course explores melody and lyric creation in songwriting, teaching practical techniques for crafting memorable, meaningful toplining that connects with listeners. It covers what toplining is and how to create impactful lyrics and melodies. Suitable for beginners and more experienced songwriters alike, it provides usable steps and creative inspiration to develop one’s writing style. The instructor offers feedback on songs created during the course. Only basic tools like a way to write and record ideas are needed. This course is recommended by Skillshare as one of their top music classes.
5. How to Write Lyrics – The Song Foundry
This comprehensive online course focuses specifically on lyric writing. It covers topics like finding inspiration, developing song concepts, crafting effective verses and choruses, using literary devices, and editing lyrics. The course is self-paced and includes video lessons, exercises, and worksheets. It’s taught by Ed Bell, a professional songwriter and author of several books on songwriting. The course aims to help both beginners and experienced songwriters improve their lyric writing skills through practical techniques and creative prompts. Students can work through the material at their own pace and apply the lessons to their own songwriting projects.
6. Songwriting Hit Mastery: Lyric Writing, Music Theory (Udemy)
This Udemy course provides a comprehensive overview of professional songwriting techniques. It covers lyric writing, music theory, chord progressions, melody construction, and song structure. The instructor, Erich Andreas, is an experienced guitarist and songwriter. The course includes over 3.5 hours of on-demand video content, downloadable resources, and practical exercises. It’s designed for beginners as well as more experienced songwriters looking to refine their skills. Students learn insider tips for breaking into the music industry and ways to make money as a songwriter. The course aims to teach students how to craft well-written songs efficiently while having fun with the creative process.
7. MasterClass: Songwriting with Alicia Keys
This MasterClass course offers an intimate look into Alicia Keys’ songwriting and production process. Over 3 hours and 22 minutes of video lessons, Keys shares her approach to creating music, finding inspiration, and developing as an artist. The course covers topics like lyric writing, melody creation, piano skills, vocal arrangements, and music production. Keys provides behind-the-scenes insights into how she created some of her hit songs. While not as technically focused as some other courses, it offers valuable perspective from a highly successful artist on creativity and artistry in songwriting. The course is best suited for those new to songwriting or fans of Keys looking for inspiration. It’s part of the broader MasterClass subscription which includes courses from other top musicians and songwriters.
8. Songwriting Simplified: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity – Udemy
This comprehensive Udemy course is designed for beginners and intermediate songwriters alike. It covers fundamental aspects of songwriting, including music theory, chord progressions, melody writing, and lyric composition. The instructor, Steve Glazer, guides students through a step-by-step process to write a complete song by the end of the course. Key topics include practical music theory, popular chord progressions in various genres, tips for catchy melodies, and lyric writing techniques. The course also offers downloadable resources like chord and scale charts for both piano and guitar. It’s particularly useful for musicians who want to start writing their own songs or singers looking to become more self-sufficient in songwriting.
9. Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies – Berklee Online
Offered by the prestigious Berklee College of Music, this 12-week online course delves deep into the craft of lyric writing. Authored by Pat Pattison, a renowned professor at Berklee, the course covers advanced techniques in lyric composition. Students learn about rhyme structures, creating forward motion in lyrics, balancing and resolving with rhyme, and controlling flow. The course also emphasizes daily object writing activities to stimulate creativity. It’s designed for both experienced songwriters and beginners, providing tools to generate better ideas and find the right words to express them. The course includes textbooks written by Pattison himself, ensuring a comprehensive and authoritative approach to lyric writing.
10. The Art of Songwriting – Belmont University
This course from Belmont University, known for producing exceptional songwriters, offers a comprehensive look at the songwriting process. Created by Emily Falvey and featuring guest appearances from Grammy-winning songwriters and industry executives, the course covers both creative and practical aspects of songwriting. Students learn how to overcome writer’s block, apply technical aspects of songwriting, tell effective stories through song, and collaborate in co-writing scenarios. The course also addresses industry-specific topics like maintaining integrity in a secular industry and building a sustainable career. It’s designed for songwriters at various levels, from beginners to more experienced writers looking to refine their craft.
11. Songwriting: Create Lyric Writing Approaches – Academy of Music and Sound Online
This free 4-week online course focuses specifically on creative approaches to lyric writing. It’s designed to support both experienced songwriters and beginners with fresh, new, and exciting approaches to creating lyrical content. Each week of the course focuses on important elements of songwriting, featuring interviews, podcasts, and activities. While there are no assessed exams or submissions required, students are encouraged to participate in group forums and interact with other learners, sharing work and providing feedback. The course requires only basic knowledge of song structure terminology and minimal equipment – just a writing pad, pen, and headphones. It’s an excellent opportunity for songwriters to explore new lyrical techniques and expand their creative horizons.
