11 Songwriting Courses for Creative Musicians
Are you passionate about songwriting but not sure where to start? Or perhaps you’re an experienced songwriter looking to refine your craft and gain new insights? Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned lyricist, finding the right course can make all the difference in your creative journey. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the best one for your needs. That’s why we’ve done the research for you and compiled a list of the 10 best songwriting courses out there.
From mastering the art of lyric writing to understanding the nuances of music theory, these courses offer something for everyone.
Get ready to unlock your full potential and take your songwriting skills to the next level!
1. The Lyric Writer’s Workroom – Songcraft
The Lyric Writer’s Workroom offers a comprehensive approach to mastering the art of lyric writing. This course focuses on various songwriting techniques, including rhyme schemes, melody creation, and capturing song ideas. The course is designed to help songwriters develop their skills through practical exercises and insightful tips. Participants learn how to write memorable choruses, find fresh song ideas, and set lyrics to music. The course also emphasizes the importance of practice and continuous improvement in songwriting.
2. Lyrics Writing Course by Jacob Carter
Jacob Carter’s Lyrics Writing Course is a comprehensive online program designed to help aspiring lyricists and songwriters enhance their skills and creativity. Led by Jacob Carter, a seasoned lyricist with over 10 years of experience, the course consists of six modules covering essential topics such as finding inspiration, understanding lyrical structure and style, crafting impactful lyrics, and collaborating with others. Students will gain practical insights, industry knowledge, and hands-on experience through HD video lessons, printable resources, and real-life exercises.
The course begins with a focus on finding inspiration, where students explore various creative writing methods to discover their unique writing style. This is followed by an in-depth look at lyrical structure and style, analyzing famous song lyrics and songwriters to understand different writing styles, structures, and formats. You can also read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs.
The next module teaches students how to turn their ideas into complete song drafts, refining their lyrics to resonate with their audience.
One of the standout features of this course is its emphasis on developing songwriting depth. Students learn to use literary tools such as imagery, metaphor, tense, and characterization to create unforgettable and unique lyrics. The course also includes a module on understanding genre, helping students tailor their lyrics to specific musical styles by recognizing common themes and patterns in different genres.
Collaboration is another key aspect covered in the course. Students learn the art of co-writing and how to work effectively with other artists, songwriters, and teams. This practical experience is complemented by industry insights from Jacob Carter’s extensive experience in the music industry.
By the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of lyric writing, a toolkit of effective strategies, and the confidence to express themselves through their songs. The course is ideal for beginners, songwriters, and singer-songwriters who want to improve their lyric writing skills.
3. Songwriting: Lyric Writing – Elevate with ICMP
Elevate with ICMP’s “Songwriting: Lyric Writing” course is tailored for those looking to enhance their lyric writing skills. Led by experienced lyricist Jacob Carter, the course consists of six modules that cover essential topics such as finding inspiration, collaborating effectively, and developing original lyrics. The course aims to provide students with a deeper understanding of how lyrics work and offers practical strategies to write polished and impactful lyrics. It is suitable for beginners and those looking to refine their songwriting techniques.
4. Songwriting Simplified: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity – Udemy
Steve Glazer’s “Songwriting Simplified” course on Udemy breaks down the songwriting process into manageable steps, focusing on music theory, melody writing, and creativity. The course is designed for pianists and guitarists who want to write complete songs. It includes practical tips on chord progressions, catchy melodies, and lyric crafting. By the end of the course, students will have written a complete song. This course is ideal for beginners and those looking to enhance their songwriting skills without needing to read music.
5. The Art of Songwriting (Belmont University)
Belmont University’s “The Art of Songwriting” course offers a comprehensive education in songwriting, taught by industry professionals. The course covers essential skills such as overcoming writer’s block, applying technical aspects of songwriting, and telling effective stories through songs. It emphasizes collaboration, maintaining artistic integrity, and building a sustainable career. Esteemed guests, including Grammy-winning songwriters and top publishing executives, contribute to the course, providing valuable industry insights. This program is ideal for songwriters at various levels who aim to refine their craft and achieve long-lasting success in the music industry.
6. Songwriting and Composing Melodies (Lauren Buchter)
Lauren Buchter’s course on Skillshare, “Songwriting and Composing Melodies,” is designed to help aspiring songwriters and composers create memorable melodies and songs that tell compelling stories. The course covers techniques for crafting melodies that evoke specific emotions and constructing songs that resonate with listeners. Students work on a project using a “creative brief,” similar to how professional composers create music for film, TV, and advertising. This course is suitable for beginners and those with some prior knowledge of music who want to enhance their melody-writing skills.
7. Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics (Berklee College of Music)
Berklee College of Music offers an in-depth course on lyric writing as part of their broader songwriting curriculum. The “Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics” course focuses on the fundamental aspects of crafting compelling lyrics. Students learn to define and identify the point of view, form, and the essential elements of storytelling within a song. The course covers various rhyming techniques, the use of phrasing to clarify ideas, and how to evoke specific emotions through lyrics. This course is ideal for both beginners and experienced songwriters looking to refine their lyric-writing skills.
8. The Fine Art of Songwriting (Steve Leslie)
Steve Leslie, a Grammy-winning songwriter, offers “The Fine Art of Songwriting” through the Indie Music Academy. This course provides a deep dive into the principles behind all great songwriting, regardless of genre. Over five weeks of daily training, students engage in structured lessons designed to enhance their songwriting abilities. Leslie’s course emphasizes connecting with listeners on a deeper level and mastering the craft of songwriting through practical exercises and expert insights. This course is suitable for songwriters at all levels who are committed to improving their craft.
9. Songwriting: Writing, Arranging, and Producing Music (Berklee College of Music)
Berklee’s “Songwriting: Writing, Arranging, and Producing Music” specialization is a comprehensive program that covers all aspects of songwriting, from initial lyric and music creation to full song production. This four-course series includes modules on writing lyrics, composing music, arranging songs, and producing demos using Ableton Live. The specialization is designed to help songwriters develop hit songs by applying advanced songwriting techniques and production skills. It is ideal for aspiring and established songwriters who want to bring their musical ideas to life in a professional manner.
10. How to Write Your First Song (The University of Sheffield)
The University of Sheffield offers “How to Write Your First Song,” a beginner-friendly course designed to guide students through the process of writing their first song. The course covers essential elements such as melody, harmony, and lyrics, providing a step-by-step approach to songwriting. Students learn how to develop song ideas, structure their compositions, and refine their songs through practical exercises and peer feedback. This course is perfect for those with little to no prior experience in songwriting who want to start creating their own music.
11. MasterClass: Songwriting with Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys’ MasterClass on songwriting offers a unique opportunity to learn from a renowned artist and songwriter. In this course, Keys shares her personal approach to songwriting, including how she finds inspiration, develops melodies, and writes impactful lyrics. The course includes lessons on arranging songs, performing, and producing music. Students gain insights into Keys’ creative process and learn practical techniques to enhance their own songwriting skills. This MasterClass is suitable for songwriters at all levels who want to learn from one of the industry’s leading artists.