Have you, like me, ever wanted to write a song? Many musicians dream of progressing from learning and performing to creating their own masterpieces. But it’s not necessarily as simple as writing down some words, setting them to music and hitting the “record” button. Quality songwriting uses skills in melody, poetry, and prose writing as well as some knowledge of recording and mixing tracks. The courses in this Best Courses Guide (BCG) will teach you! Some focus on the music, some concentrate on lyrics, while others provide both. Throw in an overview of recording and you’ll have an excellent grounding in songwriting.

For some courses, it’s helpful to already know basic music theory and chords, while others start at the very beginning. Some even provide pre-recorded tracks so you can fit your own words to the music. You can learn from The University of Sheffield, Berklee College of Music, or qualified independent instructors with years of experience in songwriting and teaching.

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BCG Stats

• 3 courses are free or free to audit and 7 are paid
• 9 courses offer a certificate of completion
• The Songwriting subject, with more than 60 courses, is followed by 4K learners on Class Central
• The most featured provider is Udemy with 7 courses.

Best Music Writing Course

If you’ve ever dreamed of penning your own tune but didn’t know where to start, How to Write Your First Song is ideal. This beginner-friendly course, offered by The University of Sheffield, guides you through the fundamental aspects of songwriting. You’ll learn about pitch, melody, chord progressions, and more, culminating in the creation of your very own song. While having access to a musical instrument may be beneficial, it’s not a requirement you can fully engage with the course using just your voice or with the help of free music software. This free-to-audit course is on Class Central’s Best Online Courses of All Time list.

In this course, you will:

• Understand the basics of songwriting, including setting words to music, melody, and song structure
• Explore the five musical elements and learn how to apply them to create an effective melody
• Discover major and minor chords, different chord types, and how to use chord progressions in your song
• Learn about different song forms, such as chorus, verse, and refrain, and how to arrange your song
• Gain insights from world-renowned musician Martin Simpson and other experts in music and psychology on what makes a song successful.

“Fabulous course. The emphasis is on music rather than lyrics…The song writing process is broken down into its basic elements with wonderful interviews with performers and video demonstrations…” – Pam Gould.

Best Lyrics Writing Course

Another free-to-audit songwriting course in the Best Online Courses of All Time list is Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics from Berklee College of Music. Perfect for beginners and those with some experience, it’s designed to help you refine your process and give you a structured approach to composing songs that convey your thoughts and feelings effectively. The course focuses on the concept of prosody and how to use it to enhance your message. Don’t worry if you don’t play an instrument or read music the course provides musical loops for you to work with. You’ll be encouraged to share your work for peer review, but the emphasis is on writing, not performing. So, if you’re ready to let your inner songwriter shine, this course is a safe and supportive environment to do just that. If you like this course, you can progress to Songwriting and Singing Specializations (see other courses from Berklee below).

What you’ll learn:

• How to develop your song ideas to create a compelling journey from start to finish
• Techniques for crafting verses and choruses using the concept of prosody
• Strategies for creating stable and unstable sections in your songs through line and musical phrase variations
• The use of rhyme schemes to enhance the flow and structure of your song
• Ways to incorporate rhythm into your lyrics to complement the musical rhythm.

Other songwriting courses from Berklee:

• Songwriting: Writing, Arranging, and Producing Music (Songwriting Specialization)
• The Singer Songwriter (Singing and Songwriting Specialization)
• Songwriting: Writing the Music (While Writing the Lyrics focuses on the words, Writing the Music teaches the musical aspect of songwriting).

“Lots of insights about how to write the lyrics, and their important connection with the melody…” – Daniel.

Best Lyrics and Music Writing Course

SONGWRITING SIMPLIFIED: Music Theory, Melody &amp Creativity is perfect for those who play the piano or guitar and are looking to write songs, even if you can’t read music. The course covers everything from the fundamentals of music theory to chord progressions, melody writing, and lyric crafting. By the end of the course, you will have written a complete song, and you’ll also learn how to transpose it to suit your vocal range. If you’re a singer who wants to write songs without relying on others, this course will give you the tools to start creating chord progressions and communicate your ideas to fellow musicians.

In this course, you will learn:

• The basics of music theory and how to apply them to songwriting
• How to create chord progressions used in popular music genres like pop, country, and rock
• Techniques for writing melodies and lyrics that resonate with listeners
• How to transpose songs into different keys to match your vocal range
• Practical tips and tricks to enhance your creativity and songwriting skills.

“What a wonderful course!…with a little knowledge of music theory and a minimum guitar playing experience…after finishing the course, I truly believe anyone can learn how to write a song.” – Alex T., Udemy learner.

Best Intermediate Chord-Based Songwriting Course

Do you know basic chords and are ready to embrace a vast array of new chords to enrich your musical creations? Challenge your songwriting muscle memory with Song Science #2: The Complete Songwriting Chord Guide, a follow-up course from Song Science #1: How Pros Use 6 Chords to Write Hit Songs.

Learn to incorporate more complex chord structures into your music. No special requirements are mentioned, but having some prior knowledge of songwriting and chords will help you get the most out of this course. The focus is on practical music theory and analyzing how professional songwriters utilize advanced chord concepts in their work.

Learn to:

• Break away from your usual songwriting habits and explore songs that push the boundaries of your comfort zone
• Analyze and understand the use of exotic chords in advanced songs
• Construct songs from the ground up, applying advanced chord concepts and techniques.

“This course has been kind of transformational for me, it’s been one of the most enjoyable online courses I’ve taken!…” – Peter S., Udemy learner.

Best Short Songwriting Course

If you ever dreamed of penning your own tunes but didn’t know where to start, Dylan Laine will teach you with Songwriting Basics. It’s perfect for beginners, offering a clear and concise introduction to the fundamental components of songwriting for free. The course breaks down the essentials, such as song structure, lyrics, and melodies, in a way that’s easy to understand and apply. While Dylan’s experience isn’t explicitly stated, the focused curriculum suggests a knowledgeable approach to teaching the craft of songwriting.

In this course, you will learn:

• The key elements of a song, including verses, choruses, and bridges
• How to craft compelling melodies, lyrics, and rhythms
• Techniques for choosing engaging song titles and understanding song forms
• Strategies for selecting chords and structuring your song effectively
• Tips for capturing and organizing your songwriting ideas to prevent losing your best concepts.

Dylan’s other short courses include Lyric Writing, Melody Writing, and Advanced Songwriting.

“Really informative on the basics, I used to be confused about even where a verse, chorus, and bridge were placed in a song, but after watching this, I finally understood where everything was placed! I also Enjoy her cheerful personality and teaching!” – Lime Lime.

Also Great Course for Absolute Beginner Songwriters

If you’ve ever been intrigued by the art of songwriting or have a melody in your head that you’re itching to turn into a full-fledged song, Ben Cooper, a full-time songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee, will guide you through the process. Whether you’re a complete novice or someone who’s written songs before and wants to revisit the basics, Songwriting – From Idea to Finished Song will help you understand the craft of songwriting. You don’t need to play an instrument to start, as Ben provides quick lessons on piano and guitar to get you going. This concise course covers plenty, focusing on the key elements of song construction, including lyrics, hooks, and melodies to give you the confidence to bring your musical ideas to life.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• The fundamentals of songwriting, including the purpose and goals of a song
• How to integrate lyrics, hooks, and melodies to create a cohesive piece
• Techniques for crafting a compelling opening line and overcoming common hurdles like starting the second verse
• Basic piano and guitar lessons to support your songwriting journey
• Practical tips for developing your song ideas into complete, polished songs.

“I’m a definite beginner and this course gave me what I need to move forward. Thank you!” – Sonya B., Udemy learner.

Best Pro Songwriting and Music Production Course

Improve your songwriting and music production skills with Songwriting 101- Composition, Lyrics + Music Production. The course is led by Peter Darling, a seasoned songwriter with a Master’s in Music Composition, and Tomas George, a music production instructor with a Master’s in Music Production. Their expertise will guide you through essential techniques used by professional songwriters today. They will teach you the crafts of music composition, lyric writing, and music production to create memorable songs in pop, rock, country, and EDM. There are no special requirements for this course, but having access to a Digital Audio Workstation like Logic Pro X will help you apply your new knowledge.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this course:

• Songwriting and music production techniques for pop, rock, country, and EDM
• Tips for crafting memorable melodies and engaging tunes
• Strategies for writing meaningful lyrics and storytelling through song
• Understanding of song arrangement and structure to create mood and movement
• Professional production and mixing methods to elevate your songs
• General music composition and production knowledge to bolster your songwriting abilities
• Essential lyric writing tips and techniques to enhance your lyrics.

“Lots of great information. Wish I’d had this course sooner, because I’ve been piecing parts of other shorter courses together, instead of having a lot of what I needed in one course.” – Judith H., Udemy learner.

Also Great Pro Songwriting and Music Production Course

Learn the fundamentals of songwriting as well as professional techniques used by industry veterans to create chart-topping music with The Basics Of Pro Songwriting. Tom Worth brings over 20 years of professional songwriting experience to the table, sharing methods used to pen numerous #1 hits across various music genres. This course is suitable for beginners and experienced songwriters.

In this course, you will learn:

• The foundational elements of commercial songwriting, including song structure, melody, lyric writing, rhyme schemes, and phrasing
• The professional songwriting process that has been behind many #1 songs
• How to avoid common songwriting errors that could undermine your credibility with music industry professionals.

“Mindblowing! I’m an aspiring music producer, and now expanding my horizon with songwriting. This course not only helped me to see clearly what songwriting means, it also helped me a ton to improve as a producer! Thank you, thank you!” – Markus ‘Ed Funk’ A., Udemy learner.

Best Songwriting Course with PDFs and Exercises

Songwriting Hit Mastery: Lyric Writing, Music Theory is perfect for you if you’re new to songwriting and looking to study the craft. It encompasses topics from song structures and lyric writing to melody construction and chord progressions. You’ll also learn about the music business, including how to break into the industry and make money as a songwriter. The course is taught by Melissa Peirce, a #1 hit songwriter with over 20 years of professional industry experience, who combines teaching at the university level with mentoring and current commercial songwriting success. Without special requirements, beginners who are eager to learn and grow in the field of songwriting can take this course.

You will learn:

• The fundamentals of songwriting, including song structures, themes, and ideas
• Techniques for inspired lyric writing and powerful melody construction
• How to create memorable chord progressions
• Insider industry tips and secrets for songwriting success
• Strategies for breaking into the music industry and making money as a songwriter
• Personalized guidance to further your artistry based on your goals

“This was EXACTLY what I needed…I came to a mental block when starting to write lyrics, and you’ve literally unstuck me!…ultimately the way she looks at music and can explain what makes a good song was worth its weight in gold. THANK YOU!” – Michael L., Udemy learner.

Best Songwriting and Music Production Course Using GarageBand

Although Songwriting &amp Music Production In GarageBand- A Total Guide! emphasizes music production, it touches on songwriting by teaching you how to develop and improve your raw song ideas. It’s perfect for songwriters eager to delve into the world of music production using the GarageBand software, even if you’re starting from scratch. It’s designed to guide you through the entire song lifecycle, from writing to mastering, in a beginner-friendly manner. You don’t need any prior knowledge of GarageBand or music production to excel in this course. The instructor, Dean Davis, provides a comprehensive yet easy-to-understand approach to mastering GarageBand’s interface, songwriting tools, and production techniques. Additionally, you’ll learn how to set up a home studio on a budget, ensuring you have all the tools you need to produce high-quality music.

By the end of this course, you will:

• Navigate and master the GarageBand interface with ease
• Utilize six powerful songwriting tools within GarageBand for creative composition
• Record, edit, mix, and master music with professional quality
• Build and set up a budget-friendly home studio from scratch
• Complete a challenge to write and produce an original song and share it for feedback.

Also see Dean’s YouTube channel for free video lessons.

“Everything is explained clearly – and with enthusiasm!” – Lee S., Udemy learner.

Why You Should Trust Us

Class Central, a Tripadvisor for online education, has helped 60 million learners find their next course. We’ve been combing through online education for more than a decade to aggregate a catalog of 200,000 online courses and 200,000 reviews written by our users. And we’re online learners ourselves: combined, the Class Central team has completed over 400 online courses, including online degrees. I’ve personally completed over 150 online courses in a variety of topics.

How We Made Our Picks and Tested Them

Trying to find “the best” can be daunting, even for those of us who live and breathe online courses. Here’s how I approached this task.

First, I combed through Class Central’s Catalog and the internet to find a variety of free and paid open courses, some with certificates. You don’t need to enroll in a university to learn about songwriting.

When choosing courses, I considered the following factors:

• Renowned Institutions: I looked for recognized institutions in songwriting
• Instructor experience: I sought instructors with extensive experience in songwriting and engaging presentation styles
• Popularity: I checked numbers of enrollments and views to find popular courses
• Course content: I examined courses that covered a range of topics and presentation styles, including the basics and more advanced topics. I watched some course videos to sample courses I hadn’t already taken
• Learner reviews: I read learner reviews (when available) to get a sense of the quality of each course, leveraging the Class Central database with its thousands of course ratings and reviews written by our users as well as available course provider reviews.

Then, I defined the scope for these recommendations. A songwriting course can cover various aspects, so I chose top courses from a range of sub-fields.

Ultimately, I used a combination of data and my own judgment to make these picks. I’m confident these recommendations will be a reliable way to learn about songwriting.