Songwriting is both an art and a craft – one that can be honed and improved through dedicated study and practice. Whether you’re a beginner looking to write your first song or an experienced songwriter aiming to take your skills to the next level, online songwriting courses offer a wealth of knowledge from industry experts and acclaimed artists.
These courses can help you master the fundamentals of melody and harmony, develop your lyrical prowess, understand song structure, and even navigate the business side of songwriting.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 of the best online songwriting courses available today.
Jacob Carter’s Lyrics Writing Course offers a comprehensive and practical approach to mastering the art of lyric writing. Designed for beginners and experienced songwriters alike, this online course provides in-depth instruction on various aspects of crafting compelling lyrics.
The course is structured into six modules, covering essential topics such as:
- Finding inspiration
- Understanding lyrical structure and style
- Techniques for writing effective lyrics
- Developing depth in songwriting
- Genre-specific lyric writing
- Collaborative songwriting
Students benefit from high-quality HD video lessons, printable resources, and hands-on exercises that help reinforce the concepts taught. Carter, a seasoned lyricist with over a decade of experience, shares valuable industry insights and practical tips throughout the course.
One of the unique aspects of this course is its focus on analyzing hit songs and learning from established artists. Students have the opportunity to study influential lyrics and develop their own unique style through engaging tasks. You can read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs.
The course also emphasizes the importance of literary devices such as imagery, metaphor, and characterization in creating memorable lyrics.
2. The Singer Songwriter – Berklee Online (Coursera)
This comprehensive specialization from the renowned Berklee College of Music covers all aspects of being a singer-songwriter. Over four courses, students learn guitar basics, singing techniques, lyric writing, and music production using Ableton Live.
The program is ideal for beginners looking to develop a well-rounded skillset in writing and performing original music. With instruction from Berklee faculty and a hands-on approach, students emerge with the tools to create, record, and share their own songs.
3. Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies – Berklee Online
Taught by acclaimed songwriter Pat Pattison, this course dives deep into the craft of lyric writing. Students learn techniques for generating ideas, finding the right words, and organizing lyrics into compelling verses, choruses and bridges.
The course emphasizes the importance of prosody – ensuring all elements of a song work together cohesively. With practical exercises and expert guidance, this course is excellent for both novice and experienced songwriters looking to sharpen their lyrical skills.
4. The Art of Songwriting – The Open University (FutureLearn)
This free online course offers a practical introduction to songwriting fundamentals. Over six weeks, students explore key musical concepts like melody, rhythm, harmony, and song structure.
The course features insights from established musicians and songwriters, providing real-world perspectives on the craft.
A unique aspect is the use of specially commissioned lyrics, which students and instructors work with throughout the course to demonstrate the songwriting process.
5. Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody – City Lit
This short course focuses on the interplay between lyrics and melody in songwriting. Students learn to generate original ideas, create effective hooks, and structure their songs for maximum impact.
The course covers various genres and emphasizes practical work, with students collaborating and presenting their creations in class.
It’s particularly useful for those who find creating melodies easier than writing lyrics, offering techniques to bridge that gap.
6. Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics – Berklee Online (Coursera)
Another offering from Berklee, this course zeroes in on lyric writing. Instructor Pat Pattison guides students through the process of turning ideas and emotions into well-crafted lyrics. The course covers crucial concepts like point of view, form, rhyme schemes, and phrasing.
Students learn to identify stable and unstable lyrics, use various rhyming techniques, and clarify their ideas through effective phrasing.
This course is excellent for beginners and experienced songwriters alike who want to focus specifically on improving their lyric writing skills.
7. Songwriting Simplified: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity – Udemy
This Udemy course is designed to demystify the songwriting process, making it accessible even for beginners. It covers the fundamentals of music theory, chord progressions, melody writing, and lyric writing. By following five simple steps, students will write a complete song by the end of the course.
The course includes easy-to-read charts for piano and guitar chords and scales, samples of hit chord progressions, and insider tips for creating catchy melodies. It’s perfect for those who can play basic chords on piano or guitar and want to start writing songs like the pros.
8. Commercial Songwriting Techniques – Berklee Online
Authored by multiplatinum songwriter Andrea Stolpe, this 12-week course focuses on writing for commercial success. It teaches a ten-step process to reproduce the traits of successful songs while maintaining a unique voice. Students learn to create memorable melodies and lyrics that forge an emotional connection with the listener.
The course covers techniques like toggling between detail and broader perspectives and using all senses for creativity.
By the end, students will have three completely written songs and ideas for future songs, making it ideal for those aiming to write hits for the mainstream market.
9. How to Write Lyrics – The Song Foundry
This course by The Song Foundry offers an in-depth exploration of lyric writing. Through seven modules and over five hours of video lessons, students learn to develop and refine their lyric ideas into catchy, well-structured lyrics.
Topics include using rhyme, structuring a lyric, writing singable lyrics, and prosody. The course is packed with practical techniques and real-life applications, making it suitable for beginners to intermediate songwriters who want to improve their lyric writing skills.
10. The Lyric Writer’s Workroom – Songcraft
The Lyric Writer’s Workroom offers a comprehensive approach to mastering the craft of lyric writing. The course covers various aspects of songwriting, including finding fresh song ideas, mastering different rhyme schemes, and writing memorable choruses. It emphasizes practical skills that can be learned, practiced, and improved over time.
This course is perfect for songwriters looking to deepen their understanding of lyric writing and create songs that resonate with listeners.