As a trombone player, I’ve always been fascinated by the power of music to convey emotions and tell stories. While I love the rich, brassy tones of my instrument, I’ve recently found myself yearning to express my musical ideas in a more complete way. That’s when I realized: why not learn to write my own songs?
The journey from instrumentalist to songwriter might seem daunting, but I’ve discovered that with the right guidance, anyone can learn to craft compelling lyrics and melodies. Whether you’re a fellow brass player looking to expand your musical horizons, or a complete novice with a passion for music, there’s a songwriting course out there for you.
In my quest to find the perfect starting point, I’ve researched and compiled a list of the 10 best songwriting courses available. These programs cater to various skill levels and focus on different aspects of the songwriting process, from lyric writing to melody creation, and even music production.
1. Songwriting: Create Lyric Writing Approaches (Academy of Music and Sound Online)
The Academy of Music and Sound offers a free online course called “Songwriting: Creative Lyric Writing Approaches” designed to support both experienced songwriters and beginners. This four-week program focuses on essential elements of songwriting, featuring interviews, podcasts, and activities. The course aims to provide fresh and exciting approaches to creating lyrical content, with no assessed exams or required submissions. Students are encouraged to participate in group forums, share their work, and provide feedback to others. Topics covered include journaling, sensory writing, collecting inspiration, storytelling, and prosody. This course is ideal for those looking to invigorate their lyrical output and overcome writer’s block, requiring only a writing pad, pen, and headphones or earphones.
2. Lyrics Writing Course by Jacob Carter
Jacob Carter’s Lyrics Writing Course offers a comprehensive online program designed to help aspiring lyricists and songwriters enhance their skills and creativity. Led by Carter, a seasoned lyricist with over 10 years of experience, the course consists of six modules covering essential aspects of lyric writing. The program aims to make lyric writing a common skill accessible to anyone interested in expressing their feelings through song.
The course is structured to provide a holistic approach to lyric writing, covering topics such as finding inspiration, understanding lyrical structure and style, crafting impactful lyrics, and collaborating with others. Students can expect to learn various creative writing methods, explore different writing styles and structures, and discover effective techniques for turning ideas into complete song drafts. The course also delves into literary tools like imagery, metaphor, and characterization to help create unforgettable and unique lyrics.
One of the course’s strengths is its focus on practical experience and industry insights. Students engage in hands-on exercises and real-life applications to hone their lyric writing skills. Carter shares valuable knowledge from his years of experience in the music industry, providing insider tips and guidance on navigating the songwriting world. The course also covers genre-specific knowledge, helping students understand the common themes and styles associated with different musical genres.
The Lyrics Writing Course is designed to be accessible and flexible. Students receive lifetime access to the course materials, allowing them to study at their own pace and revisit lessons as needed. The program includes HD video lessons, printable resources, and a course pack to support the learning process. Upon completion, students receive a certificate, and there’s an option for one-on-one mentoring for those seeking additional guidance.
3. The Basics of Pro Songwriting (Tom Worth)
Tom Worth’s “The Basics of Pro Songwriting” is a comprehensive video course that offers a step-by-step guide to improving songwriting skills. The course covers both the basics and advanced techniques used by professional songwriters. With over 6 hours of content, it provides insights into the exact methods used to write commercial songs that have topped the charts. The instructor, who has more than 10 years of industry experience, addresses common mistakes that can hinder a songwriter’s success. The course is structured into modules covering commercial songwriting fundamentals, the craft of songwriting, and even includes a practical demonstration of the instructor writing a song. This course is particularly valuable for those aiming to write commercially successful songs and understand the professional songwriting process.
4. The Fine Art of Songwriting (Steve Leslie)
Grammy-winning songwriter Steve Leslie offers “The Fine Art of Songwriting,” an in-depth course available through the Indie Music Academy. This five-week program provides daily training that aims to transform how students approach song structure and turn ideas into fully-written songs. Leslie draws on his extensive 25-year career writing for renowned artists like Kenny Rogers, George Strait, and Darius Rucker to provide expert guidance. The course covers a wide range of topics, including chorus writing, melody crafting, and determining if a bridge is needed. It also delves into various song structures, lyrical techniques, and melody writing methods. While not ideal for complete beginners, this course is an excellent option for intermediate songwriters looking to elevate their skills and write more polished, professional-level songs.
5. How to Write Your First Song (The University of Sheffield)
The University of Sheffield offers a comprehensive online course called “How to Write Your First Song” through FutureLearn. This six-week program is designed to introduce beginners to the fundamental tools and techniques needed for songwriting. Each week, students explore different aspects of the songwriting process, building their knowledge progressively. The course covers essential topics such as setting words to music, working with melody, chord progressions, song forms, and arranging.
A unique feature of this course is its practical approach. Students are encouraged to write their own song throughout the program, applying the concepts they learn each week. The course also includes insights from world-renowned musician Martin Simpson, who uses the same techniques and specially-commissioned lyrics to demonstrate the songwriting process. Additionally, students have the opportunity to engage with experts in music and psychology, as well as established musicians and songwriters, to gain insights into what makes a song successful.
6. The New Songwriter’s Workshop (Oli Rockberger)
“The New Songwriter’s Workshop” is an online course created by professional pianist, producer, and songwriter Oli Rockberger. This course stands out for its strong emphasis on melody creation and development. The program is structured into nine sections, each containing multiple lessons that cover a broad range of songwriting topics.
The course begins with the basics of song structure, quickly enabling students to write a simple song after covering the first two sections. From there, it delves deeply into finding and creating unique melodies, which is a particular focus of this program. Rockberger also explores various approaches to songwriting, helping students broaden their perspective and develop versatility in their craft. While the course is suitable for songwriters of all instruments, it’s particularly beneficial for those who write songs on piano.
7. The Singer-Songwriter Specialization (Berklee College of Music)
Berklee College of Music offers “The Singer-Songwriter Specialization” through Coursera, a comprehensive program designed to develop all aspects of a singer-songwriter’s craft. This specialization consists of four courses that cover guitar basics, vocal techniques, songwriting tools, and music production using Ableton Live.
The program is structured to provide a holistic approach to singer-songwriting. In the guitar course, students learn chords, scales, strumming patterns, and finger-picking techniques. The vocal course focuses on healthy singing techniques, proper breathing, and developing one’s unique style. The songwriting component covers lyric writing, exploring aspects like stress and unstressed syllables, and rhyme schemes. Finally, the production course teaches students how to record, edit, and mix their music to create professional-sounding recordings.
What sets this specialization apart is its practical, project-based approach. Throughout the courses, students engage in hands-on projects such as playing a song, honing vocal styles, completing an original song, and producing a professional recording. This comprehensive program is ideal for beginners with a passion for music who want to develop their skills in writing, performing, and recording original music.
8. Toplining 101: Melody & Lyrics in Songwriting (Skillshare)
Skillshare offers an engaging course called “Toplining 101: Melody & Lyrics in Songwriting” that focuses on the crucial elements of melody and lyric creation. This class is designed to explore the concept of ‘toplining’ in songwriting, which involves crafting memorable and meaningful melodies and lyrics that resonate with listeners. The course is suitable for a wide range of participants, from experienced producers and artists to complete beginners in music creation.
The instructor provides practical, usable steps and creative inspiration to help students develop their own writing style. The course emphasizes the importance of melody and lyrics as the most crucial elements of a song, teaching students how to consistently approach songwriting and find great melody-lyric combinations. Students are encouraged to use simple tools like a notebook for writing and a device for recording ideas, making the course accessible to anyone with a passion for songwriting.
9. Songwriting: Lyric Writing – Elevate with ICMP
The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) offers a course titled “Songwriting: Lyric Writing – Elevate” that aims to enhance students’ lyric writing skills. This program is designed to help songwriters take their lyrical abilities to the next level, focusing on advanced techniques and strategies for crafting compelling lyrics.
The course likely covers various aspects of lyric writing, including storytelling techniques, use of metaphor and imagery, and methods for creating emotional resonance in lyrics. Students can expect to explore different lyrical structures, rhyme schemes, and ways to effectively convey messages through their words. The ICMP’s reputation for music education suggests that this course provides practical, industry-relevant knowledge to help songwriters elevate their craft and potentially stand out in the competitive music industry.
10. Songwriting: Writing, Arranging, and Producing Music (Berklee College of Music)
Berklee College of Music, renowned for its music education programs, offers a comprehensive course on “Songwriting: Writing, Arranging, and Producing Music.” This course takes a holistic approach to songwriting, covering not just the writing process but also the crucial aspects of arranging and producing music.
The program likely begins with the fundamentals of songwriting, including lyric writing, melody creation, and song structure. It then expands into the realm of arranging, teaching students how to develop their initial ideas into fully-fledged compositions. The production aspect of the course introduces students to the technical side of music creation, potentially covering topics such as recording techniques, mixing, and using digital audio workstations (DAWs).
What sets this Berklee course apart is its integration of these three key aspects of modern music creation. By learning about writing, arranging, and producing in tandem, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire song creation process. This approach is particularly valuable in today’s music industry, where many songwriters are expected to be proficient not just in writing, but also in arranging and basic production techniques.