As a piano teacher with a passion for music, I’ve always been fascinated by the art of songwriting. While I can play complex pieces and teach others to do the same, there’s something magical about creating original music that has always eluded me. That’s why I decided to embark on a journey to discover the best songwriting courses available.
Whether you’re a fellow music teacher looking to expand your skills, a student eager to write your own songs, or simply someone who loves music and wants to try their hand at composing, this list is for you. I’ve researched and compiled what I believe to be the 11 best songwriting courses out there, each offering unique insights into the craft.
From lyric writing to melody creation, from basic concepts to advanced techniques, these courses cover it all.
1. The Fine Art of Songwriting – Steve Leslie
Grammy-winning songwriter Steve Leslie offers an intensive masterclass in the craft of songwriting with his course “The Fine Art of Songwriting”. This comprehensive program covers all aspects of the songwriting process across 33 daily video lessons. Topics range from song structure and chorus writing to melody crafting and lyric development. Leslie draws on his 25+ years of experience writing hits for major artists to provide expert guidance on both the art and business of songwriting. The course is ideal for intermediate to advanced songwriters looking to elevate their skills to a professional level. Students praise Leslie’s in-depth knowledge and practical teaching approach that breaks down complex concepts into actionable techniques.
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. Students can expect to learn about finding inspiration, understanding lyrical structure and style, crafting impactful lyrics, and collaborating with others.
The course is structured to provide a deep dive into the art of lyric writing, covering important topics like structure, rhyming, genre, and storytelling techniques. Carter’s approach includes studying influential lyrics and helping students develop their unique style through engaging tasks. You can also read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs. One of the key benefits of this course is the insider tips and knowledge shared by experienced lyricists who understand the industry’s intricacies.
Throughout the six easy-to-follow modules, students will explore everything from song structure to genre conventions. The course offers flexibility, allowing participants to study at their own pace. Upon completion, students receive a certificate, and there’s an option for one-on-one mentoring for those seeking additional guidance. The course materials include HD video lessons, suggested tasks, and industry insider hints to aid in the songwriting process.
3. The Basics of Pro Songwriting – Tom Worth
For those seeking a solid foundation in commercial songwriting, Tom Worth’s “The Basics of Pro Songwriting” offers a step-by-step guide to writing hit songs. This video course covers both fundamental and advanced songwriting techniques used by professionals in the music industry. Worth, who has over 10 years of experience, shares the exact methods used to craft chart-topping songs. The course also highlights common mistakes that can hinder a songwriter’s success. At just over 6 hours long, it provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of professional songwriting practices. Students appreciate Worth’s clear explanations and practical tips, particularly his insights on chord progressions.
4. Songwriting: Writing, Arranging, and Producing Music – Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, renowned for its music education programs, offers a comprehensive songwriting specialization through Coursera. This 17-week course covers the entire songwriting process from initial concept to finished demo. Taught by Berklee’s award-winning faculty, the program is divided into four courses: Writing the Lyrics, Writing the Music, Arranging for Songwriters, and Introduction to Ableton Live. Students learn to develop lyrics, compose melodies, create arrangements, and produce demos using industry-standard software. The course combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, allowing students to build a portfolio of original songs. As a Berklee program, it offers high-quality instruction and industry-relevant skills development.
5. The New Songwriter’s Workshop – Oli Rockberger
Professional pianist, producer and songwriter Oli Rockberger offers a comprehensive songwriting course through Soundfly called “The New Songwriter’s Workshop”. This 9-section course covers the full spectrum of songwriting, with a particular focus on melody. Rockberger starts with the basics of song structure before diving deep into finding and creating unique melodies. The course is designed to enable students to write a simple song after just the first two sections. Rockberger also explores different approaches to songwriting, broadening students’ perspectives. While best suited for piano-based songwriters, the course offers valuable insights for writers of all instruments. Students praise Rockberger’s straightforward teaching style and the course’s emphasis on practical application of concepts.
6. Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics – Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music offers this course through Coursera, taught by renowned lyricist Pat Pattison. The course focuses specifically on lyric writing, covering key concepts like point of view, form, rhyme techniques, and phrasing. Students learn to identify stable and unstable lyrics through analysis of line lengths, stressed syllables, and melody. The course is designed for beginners but offers valuable insights for more experienced writers as well. A unique aspect is that the course can be audited for free, with the paid version providing additional quizzes, assignments, and a certificate of completion. Taking approximately 26 hours to complete, this course can also contribute towards Coursera’s Singer-Songwriter or DIY Musician specializations.
7. How to Write Lyrics – The Song Foundry
The Song Foundry’s “How to Write Lyrics” course is a comprehensive guide to lyric writing. Spanning seven modules with over 5 hours of HD video lessons, the course covers essential topics like using rhyme, structuring lyrics, writing singable lyrics, and prosody – the art of fitting lyrics to melody. Created by songwriter and author Ed Bell, the course aims to help writers develop and refine lyric ideas into catchy, well-structured lyrics across any genre. It includes practical applications and techniques, making it suitable for both beginners and intermediate writers. The course also comes with a 32-page course booklet for additional reference. Students appreciate the course’s in-depth approach and practical strategies for lyric writing.
8. Songwriting Simplified: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity – Udemy
This comprehensive Udemy course, taught by Steve Glazer, covers the fundamentals of songwriting for beginners. The course promises to teach “literally everything you need to know to get you started writing songs like the pros”. It covers music theory basics, chord progressions, melody writing, and lyric writing. A key feature is that students will write a complete song by the end of the course following 5 simple steps. The course is designed for anyone with basic guitar or piano playing experience, and no prior music theory knowledge is required. With over 5 hours of on-demand video content, downloadable resources, and lifetime access, this course offers excellent value for aspiring songwriters looking to build a strong foundation.
9. How to Write Your First Song (The University of Sheffield)
Offered through FutureLearn, this free 6-week course is designed for absolute beginners with no prior musical experience. Led by professional musicians and educators from the University of Sheffield, the course guides students through the process of writing their first song. Topics covered include finding inspiration, developing lyrics and melodies, basic music theory, and song structure. The course emphasizes a practical, hands-on approach, with students encouraged to write and share their own songs throughout. While less comprehensive than some paid options, this course provides an excellent introduction to songwriting in an accessible, low-pressure format.
10. Toplining 101: Melody & Lyrics in Songwriting (Skillshare)
This Skillshare course focuses specifically on the art of toplining – writing melodies and lyrics over existing instrumental tracks. Taught by professional songwriter Jesse Barrera, the course is ideal for those looking to collaborate with producers or write for other artists. The curriculum covers melody creation, lyric writing techniques, and how to effectively combine the two. At just over an hour long, it’s a concise but informative look at an important aspect of modern songwriting. The course includes a practical project where students create their own topline over a provided instrumental, making it a hands-on learning experience.
11. Commercial Songwriting Techniques – Berklee Online
Offered by the prestigious Berklee College of Music, this 12-week online course delves deep into the techniques used to create commercially successful songs. The course covers advanced topics like prosody, melodic and lyrical hooks, and song forms used in contemporary hit songs. A unique feature is the focus on “destination writing”, a technique to generate vivid, sensory-rich lyrics. Taught by Berklee faculty member Andrea Stolpe, the course offers expert instruction and feedback. While more expensive than some options, it provides university-level education in songwriting from one of the world’s top music schools. This course is ideal for intermediate to advanced songwriters looking to refine their craft and write more commercially viable songs.
