As a budding trumpet player with dreams of composing my own tunes, I’ve always been fascinated by the magic of songwriting. There’s something incredibly powerful about transforming raw emotions and experiences into melodies and lyrics that can touch people’s hearts. But let’s be honest – creating a song from scratch isn’t always as easy as playing a few notes on my trumpet.
That’s why I’ve been on the hunt for top-notch songwriting courses to help me bridge the gap between my instrumental skills and my songwriting aspirations. Whether you’re a fellow brass enthusiast or play a completely different instrument, if you’re looking to dive into the world of songwriting, you’re in the right place. I’ve scoured the internet, read countless reviews, and even tried a few courses myself to bring you this curated list of the 10 best songwriting courses available today.
1. How to Write Your First Song (The University of Sheffield)
The University of Sheffield offers a practical introduction to songwriting through their free online course “How to Write Your First Song.” This course provides an overview of the skills and techniques involved in songwriting, guiding students through the process of creating their first composition. Led by instructor Adam, the course covers essential elements such as lyrics, melody, chords, and rhythm. Students have the opportunity to learn from established songwriters and gain insights into the creative process. The course culminates with participants crafting their own original song, making it an ideal starting point for aspiring songwriters.
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. Designed for both beginners and experienced songwriters, this online course provides a structured path to developing and refining lyrical skills. Carter, a seasoned lyricist with over a decade of experience, brings his expertise to the forefront, guiding students through six in-depth modules that cover essential aspects of songwriting.
The course stands out for its practical approach, encouraging students to actively engage in writing exercises throughout the program. This hands-on methodology allows participants to immediately apply the concepts they learn, fostering a deeper understanding of the craft. Carter’s curriculum is thoughtfully structured, covering a wide range of topics including finding inspiration, understanding lyrical structure and style, developing songwriting depth, and even exploring genre-specific techniques. The course also delves into the art of co-writing, providing valuable insights into collaborative songwriting processes.
One of the course’s strengths lies in its comprehensive content delivery. Students benefit from high-definition video lessons, printable resources, and interactive elements that cater to various learning styles. Carter’s teaching style is noted for its accessibility, making complex songwriting concepts easy to grasp for students at all levels. The course also offers lifetime access to materials, allowing students to revisit lessons and continue honing their skills long after completion.
Carter’s background in English Literature from the University of Oxford, combined with his practical experience as a guitarist and band member, provides a unique perspective on lyric writing. His passion for analyzing song meanings and dissecting contemporary poetry translates into a course that not only teaches technical skills but also encourages students to explore the deeper aspects of lyrical expression. The Lyrics Writing Course aims to make lyric writing a common skill, accessible to anyone looking to express their feelings through song, aligning with Carter’s mission to popularize lyric writing education.
3. The Basics of Pro Songwriting (Tom Worth)
Tom Worth’s “The Basics of Pro Songwriting” is a comprehensive video course designed to elevate your songwriting skills to a professional level. With over 6 hours of content, this course covers both fundamental and advanced techniques used by industry professionals. Worth, drawing from his decade of experience in the music industry, shares the exact methods used to write chart-topping commercial songs. The course is structured to help students avoid common mistakes that can hinder their success in the industry. By following Worth’s expert advice and tips, participants can learn to write songs like professionals and increase their chances of success in the competitive music industry.
4. The Singer-Songwriter Specialization (Berklee College of Music)
Berklee College of Music offers a comprehensive “Singer-Songwriter Specialization” course through Coursera, designed to equip students with all the necessary skills to create, perform, record, and produce original music. This five-month program covers a wide range of topics, including guitar playing, vocal techniques, lyric writing, and music production. The specialization is divided into several modules, each focusing on a specific aspect of the singer-songwriter craft. Students learn the basics of playing guitar, explore vocal techniques for popular music, delve into lyric writing, and gain hands-on experience with music production and recording. This course is ideal for beginners who want to develop a well-rounded skill set in songwriting and music production.
5. Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics (Berklee College of Music)
Berklee College of Music offers a comprehensive course on lyric writing as part of their Coursera specialization. This course, taught by renowned instructor Pat Pattison, delves deep into the craft of lyric writing, exploring both fundamental and advanced techniques. Students learn to define and identify key elements such as point of view, form, and the “who, what, where, when, and how” in a song. The course also covers crucial concepts like prosody, teaching students how to create stable and unstable structures to support their ideas. Participants gain practical skills in using various rhyming techniques to evoke specific emotions and learn the difference between assonance and consonance rhyme. By the end of the course, students are equipped with tools to develop song ideas effectively, create compelling verses and choruses, and use phrasing to clarify their ideas.
6. The Lyric Writer’s Workroom – Songcraft
Songcraft’s “The Lyric Writer’s Workroom” is an intensive course designed to help songwriters hone their lyric-writing skills. This course focuses on practical strategies and techniques to improve the craft of lyric writing. Students explore various aspects of lyric composition, including finding and developing song ideas, organizing thoughts effectively, and applying the concept of prosody. The course emphasizes the importance of critique and revision, teaching participants how to analyze their own work and the work of others to make lyrics more impactful. By exploring compositional elements such as line length, rhyming patterns, rhythm, and phrasing, students learn to create lyrics that are both meaningful and memorable.
7. Toplining 101: Melody & Lyrics in Songwriting (Skillshare)
Skillshare’s “Toplining 101: Melody & Lyrics in Songwriting” course offers a focused approach to creating catchy melodies and meaningful lyrics. This class is designed for a wide range of participants, from complete beginners to experienced producers and instrumentalists. The course explores the concept of ‘toplining’ and provides practical, usable steps for developing a unique writing style. Students learn techniques for crafting memorable melodies and lyrics that connect with listeners on an emotional level. The instructor emphasizes the importance of consistent practice and provides tools to help students approach their songwriting systematically, rather than waiting for inspiration to strike. The course requires minimal equipment, making it accessible to anyone with a way to write and record ideas.
8. Songwriting Simplified: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity (Udemy)
This comprehensive Udemy course offers a practical approach to songwriting, suitable for both beginners and intermediate musicians. The course promises to guide students through the entire songwriting process, culminating in the creation of a complete song. It covers essential aspects of songwriting, including music theory fundamentals, chord progressions, melody writing, and lyric composition.
One of the course’s key strengths is its focus on practical application. Students learn the same chord progressions used by hit songwriters in popular genres like Pop, Country, and Rock. The course also teaches valuable skills such as transposing songs into different keys to suit various vocal ranges. Notably, the instructor emphasizes that no music reading skills are required, making it accessible to a wide range of learners.
Additional resources provided include easy-to-read charts for piano and guitar chords and scales, samples of hit chord progressions, and insider tips for writing catchy melodies. With over 20 downloadable PDFs, this course offers a wealth of supplementary materials to support the learning process.
9. Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody (City Lit)
City Lit’s online course “Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody” is designed for songwriters and instrumentalists who find melody creation easier than lyric writing. This six-week course focuses on developing lyric-writing skills and combining them effectively with melodies.
The course covers a range of topics, including generating original ideas from everyday experiences, understanding melody structure, and exploring both basic and advanced techniques in lyric writing. Students learn about metre, rhythm, scanning, and emphasis in lyrics, as well as how to develop themes, subjects, and perspectives in their songs.
A unique aspect of this course is its collaborative nature. Students have the opportunity to work with classmates who can play along or sing their ideas, fostering a supportive learning environment. The course culminates in recording the students’ songs, providing a tangible outcome for their efforts.
10. Commercial Songwriting Techniques (Berklee Online)
Berklee Online’s “Commercial Songwriting Techniques” is a 12-week course authored by Andrea Stolpe, a multiplatinum songwriter with extensive industry experience. This course offers a blend of theory and practical skill-building, focusing on creating patterns of content that result in memorable melodies and emotionally resonant lyrics.
The course introduces a ten-step process for reproducing traits of successful songs while maintaining the songwriter’s unique voice. It teaches techniques like “toggling” – moving between detailed and broad perspectives – and “destination writing,” which uses all senses as creative springboards. These skills help songwriters control their connection with the audience and enhance their descriptive abilities.
By focusing on different song sections each week, students learn to streamline their writing process and create more descriptive songs efficiently. The course aims to help students write three complete songs and develop ideas for future compositions. It also covers important aspects like combining lyrics with music effectively and discovering one’s unique writing style.
This Berklee Online course is particularly valuable for those looking to write for the commercial music industry, as it draws from Stolpe’s extensive experience in this field.
