11 Must-Take Songwriting Courses for Aspiring Musicians

As a professional songwriter, I understand the importance of continually honing your craft and staying inspired. Songwriting is an art that combines creativity, technical skill, and emotional expression. Whether you’re a seasoned songwriter looking to refine your skills or a beginner eager to learn the ropes, the right course can make all the difference. With so many options available, it can be challenging to find the perfect fit for your needs. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of the 11 best songwriting courses, each offering unique insights, techniques, and inspiration to help you elevate your songwriting game.

1. Songwriting: Lyric Writing – Elevate with ICMP

Elevate with ICMP offers a comprehensive course focused on the intricacies of lyric writing. This course is designed to help you master the art of crafting compelling lyrics that tell powerful stories. You will explore various lyric-writing strategies, including rhyming schemes, storytelling devices, and genre conventions. The course is structured into six modules, each packed with tips, tricks, and exercises from industry experts. With flexible learning options, lifetime access to materials, and a certificate upon completion, this course is ideal for anyone looking to deepen their lyric-writing skills.

2. Lyrics Writing Course by Jacob Carter

Jacob Carter’s Lyrics Writing Course is a comprehensive online program designed to elevate the skills and creativity of aspiring lyricists and songwriters. With over 10 years of experience in the music industry, Jacob Carter brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to this course. The program is structured into six detailed modules that cover a wide range of topics essential for effective lyric writing. The course begins with finding inspiration, where students explore various creative writing methods to discover their unique style. This module helps songwriters generate original ideas and find the perfect topics for their songs. Following this, the lyrical structure and style module delves into different writing styles, structures, and formats by analyzing famous song lyrics and songwriters. This segment is crucial for understanding how to arrange rhythms and rhymes to create compelling verses, choruses, and bridges. You can also read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs. In the how to write lyrics module, students learn to transform their ideas into complete song drafts. This practical approach ensures that participants can create and refine lyrics that resonate with both themselves and their audience. The course also emphasizes developing songwriting depth, teaching students to use literary tools such as imagery, metaphor, tense, and characterization to add layers of meaning to their lyrics. Understanding genre-specific conventions is another critical aspect covered in the course. The understanding genre module helps students tailor their lyrics to different musical styles by recognizing common themes and patterns in various genres. Finally, the course includes a module on co-writing, which equips students with the skills needed to collaborate effectively with other artists, songwriters, and teams. Throughout the course, students engage in hands-on exercises and real-life applications, enhancing their practical experience. The program also includes HD video lessons, printable resources, and the opportunity for one-on-one mentoring for an additional fee.

3. The Lyric Writer’s Workroom – Songcraft

The Lyric Writer’s Workroom by Songcraft is a unique course that emphasizes the craft of lyric writing. It provides a wealth of resources, including articles and practical tips, to help songwriters improve their skills over time. The course covers various aspects of lyric writing, from mastering different rhyme schemes to finding fresh song ideas. It encourages songwriters to draw inspiration from their surroundings and transform these ideas into compelling lyrics. This course is perfect for those looking to refine their lyric-writing techniques and create memorable songs.

4. Songwriting and Composing Melodies (Lauren Buchter)

Led by Lauren Buchter, this Skillshare course focuses on creating memorable melodies and songs that tell stories. The course is designed for aspiring songwriters and composers, offering tried-and-true techniques for melody creation. Students will learn how to use a “creative brief” to compose custom pieces of music, similar to the process used by professional composers for film, TV, and advertising. This course is suitable for beginners and those with some prior knowledge of music, providing valuable insights into the melodic aspect of songwriting.

5. How to Write Your First Song (The University of Sheffield)

The University of Sheffield offers a free online course that provides a practical introduction to the mechanics of songwriting. This course is designed to help beginners write their first song by covering fundamental concepts such as melody, chords, and song structure. It includes insights from established songwriters and practical exercises to help students apply what they learn. With a focus on hands-on learning, this course is an excellent starting point for anyone new to songwriting.

6. The Art of Songwriting (Belmont University)

Belmont University’s “The Art of Songwriting” course is a comprehensive program designed for songwriters at various levels. The course covers essential skills such as rhyme, song structure, and commercial melodic structure. It also emphasizes storytelling, collaboration, and building a sustainable career in the music industry. The course features contributions from esteemed guests, including Hall of Fame and Grammy-winning songwriters, providing students with valuable industry insights. This self-paced, asynchronous course is ideal for those looking to take their songwriting skills to the next level.

7. Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody – City Lit

City Lit offers a six-week online course designed for songwriters who excel at creating melodies but struggle with writing lyrics. Taught by Polly Hewett, this course emphasizes practical work and collaboration. Students will learn to generate original ideas and imagery, understand the structure and form of melodies, and apply both basic and advanced lyrical techniques. The course also includes listening to and analyzing songs from various genres. By the end of the course, students will have created original lyrics, structured their ideas effectively, and completed a song. Some knowledge of music theory is helpful but not required.

8. Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics (Berklee College of Music)

Berklee College of Music’s “Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics” course is part of their extensive songwriting curriculum. This course introduces students to the fundamental tools and techniques of lyric writing. Topics include the relationship of words to music, song structure, and the emotional life of chords. The course is designed to help students develop their unique voice and style, with a focus on practical application through weekly assignments and peer feedback. It is suitable for both beginners and those with some songwriting experience.

9. The Singer-Songwriter Specialization (Berklee College of Music)

The Singer-Songwriter Specialization at Berklee College of Music is a comprehensive program that covers various aspects of songwriting, performance, and music production. Students will explore song craft, song production, performance, and the business side of music. The course includes in-class discussions, exercises, and assignments, encouraging students to experiment with their individual development as music makers. This specialization is ideal for those looking to build a competitive portfolio of original songs and gain real-world experience in the music industry.

10. MasterClass: Songwriting with Alicia Keys

In her MasterClass, Alicia Keys shares her honest and soulful approach to songwriting. The course covers how she writes, records, and produces her music, providing students with a behind-the-scenes look at her creative process. Alicia Keys emphasizes the importance of authenticity and emotional connection in songwriting. The course includes lessons on melody creation, lyric writing, and music production, making it suitable for songwriters at various levels who want to learn from a Grammy-winning artist.

11. The Basics of Pro Songwriting (Tom Worth)

Tom Worth’s “The Basics of Pro Songwriting” on Udemy is designed for songwriters and singer-songwriters who want to make songwriting more than a hobby. The course focuses on commercial songwriting techniques, teaching students how to create songs that resonate with a broad audience. Topics covered include song structure, melody creation, lyric writing, and the business aspects of songwriting. The course is practical and hands-on, with exercises and assignments that help students apply what they learn in real-world scenarios.