As a violinist of six years, I’ve always been captivated by the power of music to evoke emotions and tell stories. While I’ve honed my skills in playing melodies crafted by others, I’ve recently felt an irresistible urge to create my own musical narratives. This desire led me on a quest to explore the art of songwriting, a journey that’s both exciting and slightly daunting.
In my search for guidance, I’ve discovered a wealth of online courses designed to nurture budding songwriters like myself. Whether you’re a fellow instrumentalist looking to expand your musical horizons, or simply someone with a passion for words and melodies, these courses offer a structured path to unleashing your creative potential.
From Grammy-winning artists sharing their secrets to comprehensive programs from renowned music schools, the options are diverse and inspiring.
In this article, I’ll share my findings on the 10 best songwriting courses available online. Each offers unique insights and techniques that can help transform your musical ideas into fully-fledged songs.
1. MasterClass: Songwriting with Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys, a 15-time Grammy Award-winning artist, offers an intimate and insightful look into her songwriting process in this MasterClass course. The class consists of 19 video lessons, totaling 3 hours and 22 minutes of content. Students can expect to learn about Keys’ musical influences, her approach to melody and lyrics, and the elements of songwriting. The course also covers creative collaboration, an essential skill for aspiring songwriters. With Keys’ guidance, participants will gain valuable insights into writing and composing music from one of the industry’s most successful artists.
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. With over 10 years of experience in the industry, Carter has developed a course that covers essential aspects of lyric writing, from finding inspiration to collaborating with other artists. The course consists of six modules, each focusing on different elements of songwriting, including lyrical structure, style, and genre-specific techniques.
The program is structured to accommodate both beginners and experienced songwriters, providing a flexible learning experience that allows students to study at their own pace. Through HD video lessons, printable resources, and practical exercises, participants gain valuable insights into the art of lyric writing. Carter’s approach emphasizes developing a unique writing style while mastering fundamental techniques used by professional songwriters.
One of the course’s strengths is its focus on developing depth in songwriting. Students learn to use literary tools such as imagery, metaphor, and characterization to create memorable and impactful lyrics. You can read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs. The course also covers important industry knowledge, including collaboration skills and genre-specific conventions, preparing students for potential careers in the music industry.
Carter’s background in English Literature from the University of Oxford, combined with his practical experience as a guitarist in an indie band, provides a well-rounded perspective on lyric writing. His mission is to make lyric writing a common skill accessible to anyone interested in expressing themselves through song. The course aims to teach at least 5,000 students worldwide, democratizing lyric writing education and helping ordinary people develop their songwriting abilities.
3. How to Write Your First Song (The University of Sheffield)
This free online course, offered by The University of Sheffield through FutureLearn, is designed for beginners with little to no songwriting experience. The six-week program requires only 3-4 hours of study per week, making it accessible for those with busy schedules. The curriculum covers essential topics such as setting words to music, working with melody, chord progressions, and song forms. Taught by Adam White, a professional musician and associate lecturer, the course provides a solid foundation for aspiring songwriters. While the course is free to access, students can opt for a fee-based certificate upon completion.
4. Commercial Songwriting Techniques – Berklee Online
Berklee Online offers this comprehensive 12-week course authored by Andrea Stolpe, a seasoned commercial songwriter. The course focuses on developing practical skills for writing hit songs while maintaining artistic integrity. Students learn a ten-step process for creating successful songs, techniques for connecting with audiences, and methods for streamlining the writing process. The curriculum covers various aspects of songwriting, including verse and chorus construction, rhyme schemes, and the interplay between lyrics and music. By the end of the course, participants will have completed three full songs and developed ideas for many more. This course is ideal for those looking to hone their skills and write commercially viable music.
5. The New Songwriter’s Workshop (Oli Rockberger)
Offered through Soundfly, The New Songwriter’s Workshop is an online course created by professional pianist and producer Oli Rockberger. This program stands out for its strong focus on melody development. The course begins with lessons on song structure fundamentals, with Rockberger claiming that students will be able to write a simple song after just the first two sections. Subsequent modules delve deep into finding and creating unique melodies. Rockberger also explores various approaches to songwriting, helping to broaden students’ perspectives. With its emphasis on piano-based songwriting and melody crafting, this course is particularly well-suited for pianists and those looking to enhance their melodic skills.
6. Songwriting Hit Mastery: Lyric Writing, Music Theory (Udemy)
This comprehensive Udemy course, taught by experienced instructors Erich Andreas and Melissa Peirce, covers both creative and technical aspects of songwriting. With over 70 video lessons totaling more than 3.5 hours, the course explores professional songwriting tools and practices. Topics include creating song ideas, writing common themes, understanding song structure, basic hit chord progressions, and crafting elevated lyrics and melodies. The course also delves into music business topics such as collaboration, breaking into the industry, and how songwriters make money. Its step-by-step layout and insider industry tips make it suitable for beginners through experienced songwriters looking to elevate their craft.
7. How to Write Lyrics – The Song Foundry
Created by Ed Bell, “How to Write Lyrics” is a thorough program aimed at helping songwriters craft impactful and memorable lyrics. The course covers essential topics such as rhyme, lyric structure, prosody, and writing singable lyrics through over five hours of HD video lessons and a 32-page course booklet. Students learn practical strategies for developing and refining their lyric ideas, including using rhyme effectively, structuring lyrics, and creating good prosody. Designed for beginner to intermediate songwriters, the course offers lifetime access to all materials, making it a valuable resource for continuous learning and improvement. Participants gain confidence in their ability to express themselves and complete new lyric projects effectively.
8. Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies – Berklee Online
This comprehensive course, offered by the prestigious Berklee College of Music, is designed to sharpen lyric writing skills for both beginners and experienced songwriters. Taught by Pat Pattison, a renowned songwriter and educator, the course covers essential techniques that have helped his students win Grammys and write number one hits. Over 12 weeks, students learn to generate better ideas, find the right words, and organize rhythms and rhymes into compelling verses, choruses, and bridges. The curriculum includes lessons on object writing, balancing line numbers, rhyme techniques, and metaphor creation. With daily writing activities and practical exercises, this course provides a structured approach to developing vivid, effective lyrics.
9. The Fine Art of Songwriting (Steve Leslie)
Grammy-winning songwriter Steve Leslie offers an in-depth course on the craft of songwriting in “The Fine Art of Songwriting.” This 5-week program provides daily training that transforms how students approach song structure and turn ideas into fully-written songs. Leslie draws on his 25+ year career writing for artists like Kenny Rogers, George Strait, and Darius Rucker to provide expert guidance. The course covers critical topics such as chorus writing, melody crafting, and determining if a bridge is needed. While not ideal for complete beginners, it’s an excellent option for intermediate songwriters looking to elevate their skills and write more polished, professional-level songs.
10. The Basics of Pro Songwriting (Tom Worth)
This video course, created by Tom Worth, offers a step-by-step guide to drastically improve songwriting skills. It covers both the basics and advanced techniques used by professional songwriters. The instructor, with over 10 years of industry experience, shares the exact method used to write commercial songs that have topped the charts. The course addresses common mistakes made by songwriters that can hinder success. With 6.03 hours of content, it covers commercial songwriting fundamentals, the craft of songwriting, and even includes a module where the instructor demonstrates writing a song in real-time. This course is ideal for beginners looking to understand the professional approach to songwriting.