As a lifelong music lover, I’ve always been captivated by the power of a well-crafted song. The way lyrics and melodies intertwine to evoke emotions, tell stories, and connect with listeners has always fascinated me. Recently, I decided to take my passion a step further and learn the art of songwriting myself. But with so many options out there, I found myself wondering: where do I start?
After extensive research and personal exploration, I’ve compiled a list of the 11 best songwriting courses available today. Whether you’re a complete beginner like me, or a seasoned musician looking to refine your craft, these courses offer invaluable insights into the world of songwriting.
1. MasterClass: Songwriting with Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys’ MasterClass offers an immersive journey into the world of songwriting and music production. This 3-hour and 22-minute course consists of 19 video lessons, providing a comprehensive look into Keys’ creative process. Students can expect to learn about musical foundations, song composition, vocal arrangements, and Keys’ signature retro-futurist sound. The course also delves into the power of connecting with the world through music and the importance of collaboration among artists. With its high-quality production and rare glimpses into the creation of Keys’ greatest hits, this MasterClass is ideal for those new to the music industry or looking to enhance their songwriting skills.
2. Jacob Carter’s Lyrics Writing Course
Jacob Carter’s Lyrics Writing Course offers a comprehensive online program designed to help aspiring songwriters and lyricists develop their skills and unleash their creativity. The course is structured into six modules that cover essential aspects of lyric writing, from finding inspiration to understanding genre conventions and collaborative writing techniques. With over 10 years of experience in the music industry, Carter brings valuable insights and practical knowledge to his teachings.
The course is tailored to accommodate both beginners and experienced songwriters, providing a flexible learning experience that allows students to progress at their own pace. Through HD video lessons, printable resources, and hands-on exercises, participants can expect to gain a deeper understanding of lyrical structure, style, and effective writing techniques. Carter emphasizes the importance of developing depth in songwriting, encouraging students to master literary tools such as imagery, metaphor, and characterization to create memorable and impactful lyrics.
One of the unique aspects of this course is its focus on practical application. Students are given numerous writing prompts and exercises to hone their skills, allowing them to experiment with different writing styles and perspectives. The course also delves into genre-specific knowledge, helping writers tailor their lyrics to various musical styles. You can read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs. Additionally, Carter shares industry insights and collaboration tips, preparing students for potential careers in songwriting.
The Lyrics Writing Course aims to make lyric writing accessible to everyone, not just professional lyricists. Carter’s mission is to popularize lyric writing education and help at least 5,000 students worldwide develop this skill. The course provides lifetime access to all materials, allowing students to revisit lessons and continue refining their craft long after completion. With a 30-day money-back guarantee and positive reviews from past students, this course presents an attractive option for anyone looking to improve their lyric writing skills or explore songwriting as a potential career path.
3. Toplining 101: Melody & Lyrics in Songwriting (Skillshare)
This Skillshare course, taught by Clare Dove, is an excellent option for beginners looking to explore the fundamentals of songwriting. The course focuses on “toplining,” which involves creating memorable melodies and meaningful lyrics that connect with listeners. In just 29 minutes, students will learn practical techniques for approaching songwriting, consistently finding great melody and lyric combinations, and developing their own writing style. The course requires minimal tools – just a device to record ideas and somewhere to write – making it accessible to aspiring songwriters at any level. At only $2 per month, this crash course offers great value for those looking to quickly grasp the essentials of songwriting.
4. The Basics of Pro Songwriting (Tom Worth)
Tom Worth’s Udemy course, “The Basics of Pro Songwriting,” is a bestseller with nearly 6,000 students enrolled. This comprehensive course is designed for both beginners and intermediate songwriters aiming to make a career in commercial songwriting. Worth, an experienced songwriter with 55 cuts for various artists, shares the exact method used by professionals to write commercial songs, including those that have topped charts across multiple genres. The course covers fundamentals such as song structure, melody writing, lyric composition, and rhyme schemes. It also helps students avoid common mistakes that can label them as amateurs in the eyes of industry professionals. With 6 videos, 4 articles, and 21 downloadable resources, this course offers excellent value, especially for new Udemy members who can access it at a discounted price.
5. Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody – City Lit
This online course offered by City Lit is designed for songwriters and instrumentalists looking to improve their lyric-writing skills and combine them effectively with melodies. The six-week course, taught by Polly Hewett, meets twice a week for two-hour sessions. Students will learn to generate original ideas from everyday experiences, understand melody structure, and explore advanced techniques in lyrics, metre, rhythm, and emphasis. The course covers various genres, including pop, jazz, rock, and folk, analyzing works from the 1930s to the present day.
Participants will develop skills to create original lyrics, craft melodic lines that complement their words, and structure their ideas effectively. By the end of the course, students should be able to find their own lyric-writing style and complete an original song. The course emphasizes practical work and collaboration, with homework assignments to demonstrate progress. While some knowledge of music theory is helpful, the course is suitable for songwriters and singer-songwriters at various levels.
6. Songwriting and Composing Melodies (Lauren Buchter)
Lauren Buchter, a professional film and TV composer, leads this concise 30-minute Skillshare course designed for beginners seeking a quick introduction to songwriting fundamentals. The course consists of eight video lessons covering essential topics such as chord progressions, melodies, and lyrics. Buchter brings her expertise in creating emotive scores that blend traditional orchestration with electronics, offering valuable insights into the craft of songwriting.
This beginner-level course is ideal for those wanting a productive introduction to songwriting basics without a significant time commitment. While some basic music knowledge and the ability to record are helpful for the final project, the course is accessible to newcomers to the field. Students can expect to gain a solid foundation in the core elements of songwriting, which they can build upon with further practice and study.
7. The Art of Songwriting (Belmont University)
Belmont University’s “The Art of Songwriting” course is an online program designed to help aspiring songwriters develop their skills and build a sustainable career in the music industry. The course features instruction from a roster of accomplished songwriters, including Hall of Fame songwriters Allen Shamblin and Pat Alger, Grammy-winning songwriters Shane McAnally and Emily Weisband, and top publishing executives.
Throughout the 12-hour, self-paced course, students will learn essential skills such as finding inspiration, overcoming writer’s block, and applying technical aspects of songwriting like rhyme schemes and commercial melodic structures. The program also covers storytelling through song, effective collaboration in co-writing scenarios, and maintaining integrity in the music industry.
Priced at $2,499, this comprehensive course is suitable for songwriters at various levels, from beginners to more experienced writers looking to refine their craft. The program’s asynchronous format allows students to learn at their own pace while benefiting from the expertise of industry professionals. By the end of the course, participants should be well-equipped to pursue a career in songwriting with a solid foundation in both the creative and business aspects of the field.
8. The Fine Art of Songwriting (Steve Leslie)
Steve Leslie, a Grammy-award-winning songwriter and former Professor of Songwriting at Belmont University, offers this comprehensive course designed for intermediate to advanced songwriters. The course consists of 33 daily video lessons covering a wide range of topics, from crafting memorable choruses to understanding melody writing. Leslie’s 25-year songwriting career, which includes cuts by artists like Kenny Rogers, George Strait, and Darius Rucker, lends credibility and depth to his teachings. This course is particularly valuable for songwriters looking to elevate their craft and write songs they can be truly proud of. While it may not be ideal for complete beginners, it’s an excellent choice for those seeking to refine their skills and gain insights from a seasoned professional.
9. Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies – Berklee Online
This Berklee Online course, taught by renowned lyricist Pat Pattison, is designed to sharpen lyric writing skills for both beginners and experienced writers. The course covers essential techniques for generating ideas, finding the right words, and organizing rhythms and rhymes into compelling verses, choruses, and bridges. Students learn to create more vivid lyrics by mastering structural elements and developing lyrical ideas into fully-formed songs. The curriculum includes lessons on brainstorming techniques, balancing line numbers, understanding rhyme fundamentals, and creating effective contrast between song sections. By the end of the course, participants will have improved their ability to generate and express ideas, create rhythmic patterns with words, and use rhyme effectively to enhance their lyrics’ emotional impact.
10. Commercial Songwriting Techniques – Berklee Online
This course, authored by Andrea Stolpe, a multiplatinum songwriter and educator, focuses on developing skills for writing commercially viable songs. The curriculum is designed to help songwriters streamline their writing process and create more descriptive songs efficiently. Students learn a ten-step songwriting strategy that can be applied to any new idea, helping them maintain their unique voice while incorporating traits of successful commercial songs. The course covers techniques like “toggling” between detailed and broad perspectives, and “destination writing” to enhance descriptive skills. By the end of the course, participants will have completed three full songs and developed ideas for many more. This program is particularly valuable for those aiming to write songs that could potentially succeed in the mainstream music industry.
11. How to Write Lyrics – The Song Foundry
Created by Ed Bell, a respected songwriter and author, this course is marketed as “The Last Lyric Writing Course You’ll Ever Need.” It’s designed to teach songwriters how to craft great-sounding lyrics that capture attention and leave a lasting impact. The course consists of seven modules with over five hours of HD video lessons and a 32-page course booklet. It covers essential topics such as using rhyme, structuring lyrics, writing singable lyrics, and understanding prosody. The curriculum is suitable for beginners to intermediate-level songwriters and includes practical strategies for developing and refining lyric ideas. At $37, this course offers comprehensive lyric writing education at an affordable price point. It aims to give students a deeper understanding of how lyrics work, provide effective writing strategies, and boost confidence in self-expression through songwriting.