Songwriting is a craft that combines creativity, emotion, and technical skill to produce music that resonates with listeners. Whether you’re an aspiring songwriter looking to pen your first hit or an experienced musician aiming to refine your skills, the right course can make all the difference in your artistic journey.
In this article, we explore the ten best songwriting courses available today, each offering unique insights and techniques to help you master the art of songwriting.
1. 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. This online program is designed to cater to both beginners and experienced songwriters looking to refine their skills. 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.
One of the key strengths of this course is its focus on practical application. Students are encouraged to perform exercises and write lyrics throughout the program, allowing them to immediately apply the concepts they learn. The course also includes analysis of hit songs by renowned artists like The Beatles, Ed Sheeran, and Joni Mitchell, providing valuable insights into successful songwriting techniques. You can also read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs.
2. Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies – Berklee Online
Berklee Online’s “Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies” course, authored by Pat Pattison, is a comprehensive 12-week program designed to enhance your lyric writing skills. This course is suitable for both beginners and seasoned songwriters, aiming to help students generate better ideas, find the right words, and organize rhythms and rhymes into compelling verses, choruses, and bridges.
The curriculum covers essential techniques such as rhyme structure, notating rhyme schemes, and creating forward motion with rhyme. Students will engage in daily object writing activities and learn to create effective contrasts between sections to enhance the emotional impact of their lyrics.
By the end of the course, participants will have developed a robust set of skills to craft vivid and emotionally resonant lyrics.
3. The Lyric Writer’s Workroom – Songcraft
“The Lyric Writer’s Workroom” by Songcraft offers a unique approach to songwriting by focusing on the craft of lyric writing. This course emphasizes the importance of learning, practicing, and improving songwriting skills over time. It provides a wealth of articles and resources that delve into various aspects of lyric writing, from mastering different rhyme schemes to finding fresh song ideas.
The course encourages songwriters to capture ideas from their surroundings and transform them into compelling lyrics. It also offers practical tips on writing memorable choruses and melodies, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of lyric writing and improve their songwriting craft.
4. Songwriting: Lyric Writing – Elevate with ICMP
Elevate with ICMP’s “Songwriting: Lyric Writing” course is a focused program dedicated entirely to the art of lyric writing. Priced at £19, this course aims to provide students with a deep understanding of lyrics and lyric writing, enabling them to tell powerful and emotive stories through song. The course covers various lyric writing strategies, including free writing and storyboarding, and emphasizes the importance of great lyrics and compelling narratives.
Students will have the opportunity to write to brief multiple times, enhancing their ability to write songs from different perspectives. The course is designed to be flexible, allowing students to start and pause their learning at any time, and includes lifetime access to all course materials.
5. Songwriting Simplified: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity – Udemy
“Songwriting Simplified: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity” on Udemy is an all-encompassing course that guides students through the entire songwriting process.
Taught by Steve Glazer, this course covers the fundamentals of music theory, chord progressions, melody writing, and lyric writing. It is designed for beginners and does not require prior music theory knowledge or the ability to read music. By the end of the course, students will have written a complete song, including chords, melodies, and lyrics.
The course also includes practical tips for writing catchy melodies, transposing songs into different keys, and using popular chord progressions. With over 20 downloadable PDFs and easy-to-read charts, this course provides a comprehensive toolkit for aspiring songwriters.
6. Commercial Songwriting Techniques – Berklee Online
Berklee Online’s “Commercial Songwriting Techniques” course, authored by Andrea Stolpe, is a 12-week program that focuses on writing songs for commercial success. This course combines theory with practical skill-building, teaching students how to create memorable melodies and lyrics that forge an emotional connection with listeners.
The curriculum includes a ten-step process for reproducing the traits of successful songs while maintaining a unique voice. Students will learn techniques such as destination writing, which uses all senses as springboards for creativity, and toggling, which involves moving between detail and broader perspectives.
By the end of the course, participants will have written three complete songs and developed firm ideas for future projects, making it an excellent choice for those aiming to succeed in the commercial music industry.
7. Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics – Berklee Online (Coursera)
“Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics,” offered by Berklee Online through Coursera, is a detailed course designed to help aspiring songwriters develop their lyrical skills. Led by Pat Pattison, a renowned lyricist and professor, the course delves into the intricacies of lyric writing, focusing on the use of language, rhyme schemes, and prosody to enhance the emotional impact of songs.
The curriculum includes video lessons, readings, quizzes, and peer reviews, providing a comprehensive learning experience. Students learn to develop song ideas, structure lyrics, and create compelling narratives. The course is highly recommended for those looking to refine their songwriting process and find their unique voice in music.
8. How to Write Lyrics – The Song Foundry
The Song Foundry’s “How to Write Lyrics” course is a thorough program aimed at helping songwriters craft impactful and memorable lyrics. Created by Ed Bell, this course covers essential topics such as rhyme, lyric structure, prosody, and writing singable lyrics. Through over five hours of HD video lessons and a 32-page course booklet, students learn practical strategies for developing and refining their lyric ideas.
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. Participants gain confidence in their ability to express themselves and complete new lyric projects effectively.
9. The Singer-Songwriter – Berklee Online (Coursera)
“The Singer-Songwriter” specialization from Berklee Online, available on Coursera, is a comprehensive program that teaches students how to write, perform, and record their original music. This four-course series covers the basics of guitar playing, vocal techniques, songwriting tools, and music production.
Led by experienced instructors, including Erin Barra, the course helps students transform their ideas and emotions into unique songs. The specialization is suitable for beginners and provides practical skills for creating professional-sounding recordings. By the end of the program, students will have developed the ability to write compelling lyrics, compose melodies, and produce their own music.
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10. Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody – City Lit
City Lit’s “Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody” is a six-week online course designed for songwriters and instrumentalists who find melody creation easier than lyric writing.
Taught by Polly Hewett, the course focuses on generating original 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 songs by the end of the course.
The program emphasizes practical work and collaboration, making it an interactive and engaging learning experience for those looking to improve their lyric writing skills.
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