As a college student with a passion for music, I’ve always dreamed of writing my own songs. There’s something magical about crafting lyrics and melodies that can touch people’s hearts and tell stories. But let’s be real – songwriting isn’t as easy as it looks. That’s why I decided to dive into the world of online songwriting courses to boost my skills and unleash my inner songwriter.
After hours of research and sifting through countless options, I’ve compiled a list of the 11 best songwriting courses that cater to various skill levels and interests. Whether you’re a complete beginner like me or someone looking to polish your existing skills, there’s something here for everyone. These courses offer insights from industry professionals, practical exercises, and the tools you need to transform your musical ideas into fully-fledged songs.
1. Songwriting Simplified: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity (Udemy)
This comprehensive Udemy course offers a practical approach to songwriting for beginners and intermediate musicians. Taught by Steve Glazer, a professional singer and music coach, the course covers everything from music theory fundamentals to chord progressions, melody writing, and lyric creation. Students will learn how to craft songs in popular genres like pop, country, and rock, and gain valuable skills in transposing songs to fit their vocal range. With over 20 downloadable PDFs and a step-by-step approach, participants are guaranteed to write a complete song by the end of the course.
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 enhance their skills and unleash their creativity. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, Carter has developed a course that covers all aspects of lyric writing, from finding inspiration to mastering the art of collaboration.
The course is structured into six modules, each focusing on a crucial aspect of songwriting. Students begin by exploring various methods to find inspiration and develop their unique writing style. They then delve into the intricacies of lyrical structure and style, analyzing famous song lyrics and songwriters to understand different writing techniques. You can read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs. The course also covers practical skills such as turning ideas into complete song drafts and refining lyrics to resonate with audiences.
One of the standout features of Carter’s course is its emphasis on developing depth in songwriting. Students learn to use literary tools such as imagery, metaphor, and characterization to create unforgettable and unique lyrics. The course also addresses genre-specific knowledge, helping writers tailor their lyrics to particular musical styles. Additionally, participants gain valuable insights into the collaborative aspects of songwriting, preparing them for potential co-writing opportunities in the future.
The Lyrics Writing Course is designed to be accessible and engaging for a wide range of learners, from complete beginners to experienced songwriters looking to refine their craft. Carter’s teaching approach combines HD video lessons, practical exercises, and industry insider tips to provide a comprehensive learning experience. Students have the flexibility to study at their own pace and can access the course materials indefinitely, allowing for continuous improvement and reference.
Carter’s background in English Literature from the University of Oxford, combined with his practical experience as a guitarist in an indie band, gives him a unique perspective on lyric writing. His passion for dissecting song meanings and understanding the power of words in music is evident throughout the course. This blend of academic knowledge and hands-on experience makes Carter a credible and inspiring instructor for aspiring lyricists.
3. The Fine Art of Songwriting (Steve Leslie)
Grammy-winning songwriter Steve Leslie brings his 25 years of industry experience to this comprehensive songwriting course. Designed for both beginners and intermediate songwriters, the program consists of 33 video lessons covering various aspects of the craft. Topics range from chorus writing techniques to melody crafting and determining when a bridge is necessary. Leslie’s course is particularly valuable for those looking to elevate their songwriting skills and potentially pursue a career in commercial songwriting.
4. The Art of Songwriting (Belmont University)
Belmont University, renowned for producing exceptional songwriters, offers this course as part of their online program. Led by industry professionals and featuring guest appearances from Hall of Fame songwriters and Grammy winners, the course provides a unique blend of creative and practical instruction. Students learn essential skills such as overcoming writer’s block, applying technical aspects of songwriting, and collaborating effectively in co-writing scenarios. The program also emphasizes maintaining artistic integrity while building a sustainable career in the music industry. This course is ideal for aspiring songwriters looking to gain insights from established professionals and develop their craft in a structured academic environment.
5. The New Songwriter’s Workshop (Oli Rockberger)
Oli Rockberger, an acclaimed songwriter, offers this comprehensive workshop through Soundfly. The course provides an in-depth look at the songwriting process from a professional’s perspective, focusing on essential elements such as choosing harmonic progressions and composing memorable melodies. Designed with flexibility in mind, students can learn at their own pace, with the added option of personalized mentorship. This workshop is particularly beneficial for songwriters looking to explore new techniques and refine their craft under the guidance of an experienced professional.
6. MasterClass: Songwriting with Alicia Keys
In this 3-hour and 22-minute course, Grammy-winning artist Alicia Keys shares her soulful approach to songwriting, recording, and producing music. The course consists of 19 video lessons covering a wide range of topics, from finding inspiration to developing melodies and lyrics. Keys emphasizes the importance of emotion-led songwriting and provides insights into her creative process through case studies of her popular songs. Students will learn how to connect with the world around them through music, use vocal arrangements to enhance their songs, and appreciate the power and purpose of music. The course also offers a unique opportunity to see Keys workshop another artist’s song, providing practical examples of her techniques in action.
7. Toplining 101: Melody & Lyrics in Songwriting (Skillshare)
This Skillshare course focuses on the art of “toplining” – creating melodies and lyrics for existing musical tracks. The instructor provides practical, usable steps and creative inspiration to help students develop their own writing style. The course is designed for a wide range of participants, from complete beginners to experienced producers and instrumentalists. Key topics include understanding what toplining is, creating memorable and meaningful lyrics and melodies, and developing techniques to consistently find great melody and lyric combinations. The course emphasizes the importance of these elements as the foundation of a song, teaching students how to approach their songwriting process effectively. All that’s required for this course is a way to write down ideas and a device to record them, making it accessible to aspiring songwriters with minimal equipment.
8. Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody – City Lit
This six-week online course, taught by experienced musician Polly Hewett, is designed for songwriters and instrumentalists looking to enhance their lyric writing skills. The program focuses on generating original ideas, structuring melodies, and applying advanced techniques in lyrics and meter. Students engage in collaborative exercises, analyze songs from various genres, and work towards recording their own compositions by the end of the course. The emphasis on practical work and peer collaboration creates an interactive and engaging learning environment, making it ideal for those seeking to improve their songwriting abilities through hands-on experience.
9. How to Write Your First Song (The University of Sheffield)
Offered through FutureLearn, this course is an excellent introduction to songwriting for beginners. Led by Adam White, a professional musician and associate lecturer, the six-week program covers fundamental tools and techniques needed to write your first song. The curriculum includes setting words to music, working with melody, chord progressions, song forms, and arranging. A unique feature of this course is its weekly song analysis sessions, where both the instructor and students examine song lyrics together. This interactive approach, combined with its focus on practical application, makes it an ideal starting point for aspiring songwriters.
10. Songwriting Hit Mastery: Lyric Writing, Music Theory (Udemy)
This comprehensive Udemy course is designed to teach the crafting tools and practices used in professional songwriting. With over 70 video lessons totaling more than 3.5 hours of content, the course covers a wide range of topics including creating song ideas, understanding song structure, basic hit chord progressions, and crafting elevated lyrics and melodies. It also delves into core music business topics such as collaboration, industry networking, and revenue streams for songwriters. The course is structured in an easy step-by-step layout and includes PDF exercises for each section to ensure continued practice and growth. Taught by an experienced industry professional, this course offers valuable insights for both beginners and intermediate songwriters.
11. How to Write Lyrics – The Song Foundry
Created by Ed Bell, this course is a thorough program focused specifically on lyric writing. Through seven modules, over five hours of HD video lessons, and a 32-page course booklet, students learn the art of developing and refining lyric ideas into catchy, well-structured lyrics. The curriculum covers essential topics such as using rhyme, structuring lyrics, writing singable lyrics, and understanding prosody – the art of fitting lyrics seamlessly to a melody. Each module is packed with practical ideas and techniques, along with real-life applications. The course is designed for beginner to intermediate songwriters and offers lifetime access to all materials, making it a valuable resource for continuous learning and improvement in lyric writing.