That’s why I decided to dive deep into the world of online songwriting courses. I wanted to find resources that could help me transform my musical ideas into fully-fledged songs, improve my lyric writing, and maybe even learn some industry secrets along the way. After extensive research and personal experience with several programs, I’ve compiled this list of the 11 best songwriting courses available today.
As a college music student, I’ve always been fascinated by the magic of songwriting. There’s something incredibly powerful about crafting words and melodies that can touch people’s hearts and stick in their minds for years. While my classes have given me a solid foundation in music theory and performance, I’ve found myself craving more specific guidance on the art of songwriting itself.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to write your first song or an experienced musician aiming to refine your craft, these courses offer valuable insights and practical techniques to elevate your songwriting skills.
1. Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody – City Lit
This 6-week online course offered by City Lit is designed for songwriters and instrumentalists who find creating melodies easier than writing lyrics. Taught by Polly Hewett, the course focuses on generating original lyrical ideas, structuring melodies, and using advanced techniques in lyrics and meter. Students collaborate with classmates, analyze songs from various genres, and work towards recording their own songs by the end of the course. The program emphasizes practical work and collaboration, making it an interactive learning experience for those looking to improve their lyric writing skills.
2. Lyrics Writing Course by Jacob Carter
Jacob Carter’s Lyrics Writing Course offers a comprehensive approach to mastering the art of lyric writing. This online program is designed to cater to both beginners and experienced songwriters looking to enhance their skills. The course is structured into six modules, covering essential aspects of songwriting from finding inspiration to collaborating with other artists.
Throughout the course, students will learn various creative writing methods to develop their unique style and find inspiration. They’ll explore different lyrical structures and styles by analyzing famous song lyrics and songwriters. The program also focuses on practical skills, teaching students how to turn their ideas into complete song drafts and refine their lyrics to resonate with audiences. You can read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs.
One of the course’s strengths is its emphasis on developing depth in songwriting. Students will master literary tools such as imagery, metaphor, and characterization to create memorable and unique lyrics. The course also delves into genre-specific knowledge, helping writers tailor their lyrics to different musical styles. Additionally, it covers the art of co-writing, an essential skill for collaborating with other artists and songwriters in the industry.
The course is delivered through HD video lessons, printable resources, and hands-on exercises. Students benefit from Jacob Carter’s 10+ years of experience in the music industry, gaining valuable insights and practical knowledge. Upon completion, participants receive a certificate and have lifetime access to the course materials, allowing them to revisit and practice their skills at their own pace.
3. The Fine Art of Songwriting – Steve Leslie
Taught by Grammy-winning songwriter Steve Leslie, this comprehensive 5-week course covers all aspects of songwriting. The curriculum includes detailed lessons on song structure, lyric writing, melody composition, and music theory. Leslie draws on his extensive experience in the Nashville music scene to provide insights into professional songwriting techniques. The course features daily training modules and is suitable for songwriters at all levels across various genres. It aims to help students connect with listeners on a deeper level through their songwriting.
4. Songwriting and Composing Melodies – Lauren Buchter
This concise 30-minute course on Skillshare is taught by film composer Lauren Buchter. It focuses on techniques for creating memorable melodies and composing songs that tell a story. The course uses a “creative brief” approach, simulating the process used by working composers in film, TV, and advertising. While some prior musical knowledge is helpful, the course welcomes beginners interested in developing their songwriting and composing skills. It’s an excellent option for those seeking a quick, focused lesson on melody composition and storytelling through music.
5. The Lyric Writer’s Workroom – Songcraft
This course offers a unique approach to songwriting by focusing specifically on the craft of lyric writing. The Lyric Writer’s Workroom provides a comprehensive set of tools and techniques to help songwriters develop their skills in creating impactful lyrics. Students can expect to learn various songwriting tips, techniques, and ideas to improve their lyrical compositions. The course emphasizes that songwriting is a collection of skills that can be learned, practiced, and improved over time, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced writers looking to enhance their lyrical abilities.
6. The Basics of Pro Songwriting – Tom Worth
Taught by Tom Worth, this Udemy course covers the fundamentals of commercial songwriting and provides insights into the professional songwriting process. The curriculum includes lessons on song structure, melody writing, lyric composition, rhyme schemes, and phrasing. One of the course’s key features is its focus on helping students avoid common songwriting mistakes that can label them as amateurs to industry professionals. Worth shares the exact songwriting method used by professionals to write hit songs across various genres, including pop, country, Christian, and rock. This course is designed to benefit both complete beginners and experienced songwriters looking to elevate their craft to a professional level.
7. Toplining 101: Melody & Lyrics in Songwriting – Skillshare
This Skillshare course, taught by Clare Dove, focuses on the art of “toplining” in songwriting. Toplining refers to the process of creating melodies and lyrics over existing instrumental tracks or beats. The course explores techniques for crafting memorable melodies and meaningful lyrics that connect with listeners. Dove draws from her nearly ten years of experience in the music industry to provide practical, usable steps and creative inspiration for developing a unique writing style. The course is designed to be accessible to everyone, from complete beginners to experienced producers and instrumentalists. Students will learn how to consistently approach songwriting and find ways to create great melody and lyric combinations, which are considered the most important elements of a song.
8. Songwriting: Create Lyric Writing Approaches – Academy of Music and Sound Online
This free 4-week course, offered by the Academy of Music and Sound Online, focuses on innovative lyric writing techniques. The curriculum is designed to enhance songwriting skills through a series of weekly lessons, each covering important elements of songwriting. The course features interviews, podcasts, and activities to engage students in the learning process. With no assessed exams or submissions required, it provides a low-pressure environment for both beginners and experienced songwriters to explore and develop their lyrical creativity.
9. Songwriting Hit Mastery: Lyric Writing, Music Theory – Udemy
This comprehensive Udemy course is designed to be the ultimate resource for aspiring songwriters. It covers a wide range of topics including songwriting techniques, song structures, idea generation, lyric writing, and music theory. The course aims to provide students with the tools and knowledge needed to write hit songs across various genres. With its extensive content, it’s suitable for both beginners and those looking to improve their existing songwriting skills.
10. Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics – Berklee College of Music
Offered by the prestigious Berklee College of Music, this course focuses specifically on the craft of lyric writing. Students learn to identify stressed, non-stressed, and secondary syllables in lyric lines, and how to write lyric patterns that match musical rhythms. The course emphasizes the technical aspects of lyric writing, helping students develop a deeper understanding of how words and music interact in songwriting.
11. MasterClass: Songwriting with Alicia Keys
This MasterClass course offers a unique opportunity to learn songwriting from 15-time Grammy Award-winning artist Alicia Keys. The course covers various aspects of songwriting, including finding inspiration, crafting melodies, and writing lyrics. Keys shares her personal songwriting process and techniques, offering insights into how she creates her hit songs. Students can expect to gain valuable knowledge about the creative and emotional aspects of songwriting from one of the industry’s most successful artists. The course is suitable for songwriters at all levels who want to learn from a renowned professional in the field.