Songwriting is a powerful form of artistic expression that combines the art of storytelling with the magic of music. Whether you’re an aspiring musician looking to pen your first hit or an experienced songwriter aiming to refine your craft, the right guidance can make all the difference. In today’s digital age, aspiring lyricists and composers have access to a wealth of online resources and courses designed to nurture their talent and hone their skills.
This article presents a curated list of the 10 best songwriting courses available online. From prestigious institutions like Berklee College of Music to specialized platforms focused solely on lyric writing, these courses offer a diverse range of approaches to help you unlock your creative potential.
1. Lyrics Writing Course by Jacob Carter
The Lyrics Writing Course, created by experienced lyricist Jacob Carter, offers a comprehensive program designed to help aspiring songwriters and lyricists enhance their skills and unleash their creativity. This online course consists of six modules that cover essential aspects of lyric writing, from finding inspiration to understanding genre conventions and collaborative writing techniques.
Jacob Carter, with over 10 years of experience in the field, guides students through the intricacies of lyric writing, sharing valuable insights and industry knowledge. The course is structured to accommodate both beginners and experienced writers, providing a flexible learning experience that allows students to progress at their own pace. Each module includes HD video lessons, printable resources, and practical exercises to reinforce learning and encourage hands-on application of the concepts taught.
The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including finding inspiration, mastering lyrical structure and style, developing songwriting depth, and understanding genre-specific conventions.
Students will learn to analyze famous song lyrics, explore various writing techniques, and develop their unique style. You can read how Jacob Carter analyzes the lyrics meaning of hundreds of songs.
One of the standout features of this course is its focus on practical application. Students are encouraged to complete writing tasks and exercises throughout the program, allowing them to immediately apply what they’ve learned. Additionally, the course offers insights into the collaborative aspects of songwriting, preparing students for potential co-writing opportunities in the future.
2. Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics – Berklee Online (Coursera)
This course, offered by the prestigious Berklee College of Music, focuses on the art of lyric writing. Taught by Pat Pattison, a renowned songwriting professor, it covers essential topics like point of view, song structure, and rhyming techniques.
The course is designed for beginners and helps students develop their unique voice while learning industry-standard practices. With over 128,000 students enrolled, it’s a popular choice for aspiring songwriters looking to hone their lyrical skills.
3. The Lyric Writer’s Workroom – Songcraft
Songcraft’s Lyric Writer’s Workroom is an online platform that combines educational resources with practical tools for songwriters. It offers articles, tips, and techniques for improving lyric writing skills.
The platform also includes features like a rhyme dictionary, syllable counter, and collaborative writing tools. This course is ideal for songwriters who prefer a self-paced, hands-on approach to learning and want to integrate their studies with their writing process.
4. How to Write Lyrics – The Song Foundry
The Song Foundry’s course on lyric writing is a comprehensive guide for both beginners and intermediate songwriters. It covers topics such as generating ideas, structuring lyrics, and using literary devices effectively.
The course includes over 5 hours of video lessons and a 32-page course booklet. What sets this course apart is its focus on practical application, encouraging students to develop and refine their ideas into polished, well-structured lyrics.
5. Songwriting: Lyric Writing – Elevate with ICMP
Offered by the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP), this course delves deep into the craft of lyric writing. It covers a range of topics including rhyme schemes, literary devices, and writing strategies.
The course is designed to help students tell powerful and emotive stories in song format. With its focus on diverse writing techniques and professional feedback, it’s particularly suited for those looking to develop a well-rounded approach to lyric writing.
6. Commercial Songwriting Techniques – Berklee Online
This course, designed by Andrea Stolpe, a multiplatinum songwriter, focuses on writing commercially viable songs. It teaches a unique 10-step process for crafting hit songs while maintaining artistic integrity.
The course covers topics like creating memorable melodies, effective storytelling, and combining lyrics with music. It’s particularly valuable for songwriters aiming to break into the commercial music industry, offering insights into what makes a song marketable while still being creatively fulfilling.
7. Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies – Berklee Online
This 12-week course, authored by renowned songwriter Pat Pattison, focuses on developing lyric writing skills. It covers techniques for generating better ideas, finding the right words, and organizing rhythms and rhymes into compelling verses, choruses, and bridges.
Students learn to craft more vivid lyrics by mastering elements of structure and building lyrical ideas into great songs. The course is suitable for beginners and experienced writers alike, aiming to help students brainstorm ideas more freely and structure lyrics more effectively.
8. The Singer Songwriter – Berklee Online (Coursera)
This specialization consists of four courses covering different aspects of songwriting. It includes “Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics,” which teaches techniques for creating effective lyrics, and “Songwriting: Writing the Music,” which focuses on constructing melodies and harmonies.
The specialization also covers arranging songs and using Ableton Live for music production. It’s designed to take students through the entire process of writing, performing, and recording original music.
9. Writing Song Lyrics: Create and Combine with Melody – City Lit
This 6-week online course helps students create original, catchy, and memorable lyrics from scratch. It covers generating ideas from everyday experiences, understanding structure and form, creating hooks, and analyzing works of various songwriters across different genres.
The course emphasizes practical work and collaboration, with students expected to complete homework tasks and present their work in live sessions.
10. The Art of Songwriting – The Open University (FutureLearn)
This free 6-week course provides a practical introduction to songwriting mechanics. It covers basic musical concepts underpinning successful songs, including melody, rhythm, harmony, metre, and key.
The course features insights from established musicians and songwriters, and includes a practical component where students write their own song using specially commissioned lyrics.
It’s suitable for complete beginners as well as more experienced songwriters looking to refine their skills.
