Songwriting is an art that blends creativity, emotion, and technical skill. Whether you're crafting lyrics, composing melodies, or experimenting with chord progressions, the process can be both exciting and challenging.

But what if you're just starting out and don’t have the budget for expensive songwriting courses, software, or tools?

The good news is that there are plenty of free songwriting resources available to help you develop your skills, refine your lyrics, and create professional-quality music—all without spending a dime.

From free songwriting tools that generate lyrics and melodies to online courses that teach the fundamentals of songwriting, you have access to everything you need to grow as a songwriter.

In this article, we’ll explore the best free resources for aspiring songwriters, covering everything from free DAWs and lyric generators to online songwriting communities and mobile apps.

Whether you're looking to learn songwriting for free or enhance your existing skills, these tools will give you a strong foundation to bring your musical ideas to life.

#01 Free Online Songwriting Courses

Learning the fundamentals of songwriting from professionals can make a huge difference in your craft. Fortunately, several platforms offer free songwriting courses that cover everything from lyric writing to melody composition.

These courses provide structured lessons, expert insights, and even interactive exercises—all at no cost.

Coursera – Berklee College of Music Songwriting Courses

Berklee College of Music, one of the most respected music institutions, offers free online songwriting courses through Coursera. These courses cover topics like lyric writing, melody development, and song structure. While Coursera allows free access to course materials, you’ll need to pay if you want a certificate.

🔹 Best for: Beginners looking for structured lessons from professionals.
🔹 Topics Covered: Song structure, lyrics, melody creation.
🔹 How to Access: Visit Coursera and search for Berklee songwriting courses.

edX – Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics

Offered by the University of Sheffield, this free songwriting course on edX focuses on lyric writing techniques. It teaches how to develop engaging lyrics, understand storytelling in music, and experiment with different writing styles.

🔹 Best for: Lyricists who want to improve their storytelling skills.
🔹 Topics Covered: Lyric writing, storytelling, rhyme schemes.
🔹 How to Access: Go to edX and search for “songwriting.”

YouTube – Free Songwriting Tutorials from Experts

YouTube is one of the best free songwriting resources, with countless videos from industry professionals. Channels like Pat Pattison’s Songwriting Clinic, The Song Foundry, and Holistic Songwriting provide in-depth lessons on lyric writing, melody creation, and song structure.

🔹 Best for: Those who prefer video tutorials over text-based courses.
🔹 Topics Covered: Song structure, melody, chord progressions, lyric techniques.
🔹 How to Access: Search for "free songwriting courses" or explore popular channels like The Song Foundry and Holistic Songwriting.

Skillshare – Free Songwriting Classes (Trial Required)

Skillshare offers multiple songwriting courses, including beginner-friendly and advanced classes. While Skillshare requires a paid subscription, they offer a one-month free trial, which allows you to access premium songwriting courses without paying.

🔹 Best for: Songwriters who want a short-term intensive learning experience.
🔹 Topics Covered: Lyric writing, music composition, song arrangement.
🔹 How to Access: Sign up for a free trial on Skillshare.

Udemy – Free Songwriting Classes

Udemy occasionally offers free songwriting courses covering melody creation, lyrics, and music production. While most courses are paid, you can find free options by filtering for “free” courses in the search bar.

🔹 Best for: Beginners looking for bite-sized lessons on songwriting.
🔹 Topics Covered: Songwriting fundamentals, music theory, lyrics.
🔹 How to Access: Search for “free songwriting” on Udemy and apply the free filter.

#02 Lyric Writing Tools and Generators

Writing lyrics can be one of the most challenging parts of songwriting. Sometimes, you have a melody but struggle to find the right words. Other times, you might experience writer’s block and need a creative push.

Fortunately, there are free songwriting tools that can help you generate lyrics, find rhyming words, and improve your writing process. Here are some of the best free lyric writing resources available.

LyricStudio – AI-Assisted Lyric Generation

LyricStudio is a powerful AI-driven tool designed to help songwriters create unique lyrics. It generates suggestions based on your style, making it a great tool for overcoming writer’s block. The free version allows unlimited lyric ideas but limits advanced features.

🔹 Best for: Writers struggling with inspiration or looking for fresh ideas.
🔹 Key Features: AI-powered lyric suggestions, theme-based writing.
🔹 How to Access: Visit LyricStudio and sign up for free.

MasterWriter (Free Trial Available)

MasterWriter is a professional lyric writing software used by top songwriters. While it’s a paid tool, they offer a free trial, which gives access to its database of synonyms, rhymes, and word associations—all essential for crafting strong lyrics.

🔹 Best for: Songwriters looking for an advanced lyric writing tool.
🔹 Key Features: Rhyming dictionary, thesaurus, phrase suggestions.
🔹 How to Access: Sign up for a free trial on MasterWriter.

RhymeZone – The Ultimate Rhyming Dictionary

If you need a quick and easy way to find rhyming words, RhymeZone is one of the best free songwriting resources. It provides perfect rhymes, near rhymes, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences to help refine your lyrics.

🔹 Best for: Writers looking for the perfect rhyme or word alternative.
🔹 Key Features: Rhyme suggestions, synonyms, word definitions.
🔹 How to Access: Use it for free at RhymeZone.

Song Lyrics Generator – AI-Powered Lyric Writing

This free tool lets you input a few details—such as mood, theme, and topic—to generate entire song lyrics. While it won’t replace personal creativity, it’s great for brainstorming.

🔹 Best for: Writers needing quick lyric inspiration.
🔹 Key Features: AI-generated song lyrics based on prompts.
🔹 How to Access: Try it at Song Lyrics Generator.

WriteRhymes – Instant Rhyming Assistance

WriteRhymes is a simple, user-friendly tool that lets you type lyrics and instantly see rhyming words when you press “Alt + Click” on a word. It’s a minimalist approach to lyric writing but very effective.

🔹 Best for: Writers who need quick rhyming suggestions while writing.
🔹 Key Features: Inline rhyme assistance, easy-to-use interface.
🔹 How to Access: Visit WriteRhymes.

WordHippo – Expand Your Lyric Vocabulary

WordHippo is a free songwriting tool that helps lyricists find synonyms, antonyms, word meanings, and rhymes. It’s especially useful when you want to express an idea in a more creative or poetic way.

🔹 Best for: Expanding vocabulary and finding unique words.
🔹 Key Features: Synonyms, antonyms, translations, and rhyming words.
🔹 How to Access: Try it for free at WordHippo.

#03 Free Chord Progression & Melody Generators

Writing melodies and chord progressions can be challenging, especially when you're looking for fresh inspiration. Whether you're struggling to find the right chords for your lyrics or need a spark to create a catchy tune, these free songwriting tools can help. Here are some of the best free chord progression and melody generators available online.

Autochords – Quick Chord Progression Generator

Autochords is a simple yet effective chord progression tool that suggests different progressions based on the mood and style you select. It’s great for beginners and can help spark new ideas.

🔹 Best for: Songwriters looking for quick and easy chord inspiration.
🔹 Key Features: Chord suggestions, alternative progressions, mood-based options.
🔹 How to Access: Visit Autochords for free.

ChordChord – AI-Powered Chord Generator

ChordChord is a great free songwriting resource that helps you create custom chord progressions based on your desired key and tempo. It even allows you to hear the progression in real-time, making it easier to experiment with melodies.

🔹 Best for: Creating custom chord progressions with real-time playback.
🔹 Key Features: Chord progression generator, audio playback, multiple instruments.
🔹 How to Access: Use it at ChordChord.

Hooktheory – Interactive Chord and Melody Tool

Hooktheory’s Chord Progression and Melody Generator is an interactive tool that helps you build chord progressions and experiment with melody lines. The free version provides access to a vast database of popular progressions used in hit songs.

🔹 Best for: Learning common chord progressions and creating melodies.
🔹 Key Features: Chord recommendations, melody-building tools, music theory insights.
🔹 How to Access: Visit Hooktheory for free resources.

Musetree – AI Melody Generator

Musetree is an AI-powered melody generator that helps songwriters craft unique tunes by offering melody suggestions based on their input. This tool is great for breaking through creative blocks.

🔹 Best for: Finding new melody ideas with AI-generated suggestions.
🔹 Key Features: AI-generated melodies, adjustable tempo and key.
🔹 How to Access: Try it at Musetree.

One Motion Chord Player – Real-Time Chord Progressions

This free chord progression tool allows you to play and hear different chord combinations in real-time. It’s great for testing different progressions and seeing how they sound together.

🔹 Best for: Trying out different chord combinations in real time.
🔹 Key Features: Playable virtual keyboard, chord suggestions, MIDI export.
🔹 How to Access: Use it at One Motion Chord Player.

BandLab SongStarter – AI-Powered Chord & Melody Generator

BandLab’s SongStarter tool provides AI-generated chord progressions and melody ideas, helping you build full songs from scratch. The free version offers a great starting point for songwriting.

🔹 Best for: Songwriters looking for AI-generated song ideas.
🔹 Key Features: AI-generated chord progressions, melody creation, real-time playback.
🔹 How to Access: Visit BandLab SongStarter.

#04 Hit Song Hero’s Free Songwriting Launch Kit

If you're looking for a structured and practical way to improve your songwriting, the Hit Song Hero Free Songwriting Launch Kit is an excellent resource. This kit is designed to help aspiring songwriters develop ideas, explore song themes, and refine their songwriting process.

📌 What’s Inside the Kit?
✅ Detailed Song Starter Workbook – Helps you brainstorm and organize song ideas.
✅ Song Theme Exploration Workbook – Guides you through different themes to enhance your storytelling.
✅ 50 Song Themes: A Songwriter’s Guide – Provides inspiration with 50 different songwriting themes to spark creativity.

At Hit Song Hero, we believe in supporting songwriters with practical tools to help them succeed. Download the Pro Songwriting Launch Kit for free and get access to workbooks, templates, and expert tips to help you master the art of songwriting.

🔗 Get Your Free Songwriting Launch Kit Here

#05 Free DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) for Songwriters

Once you’ve written your lyrics, crafted your melody, and finalized your chord progressions, the next step is bringing your song to life with a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). A DAW allows you to record, edit, and produce music—all from your computer.

Fortunately, there are several free songwriting tools that provide powerful features without costing a dime. Here are some of the best free DAWs for songwriters.

Cakewalk by BandLab – Professional-Grade DAW for Free

Cakewalk is one of the most powerful free DAWs available, offering professional-level recording, mixing, and mastering tools. Originally a paid software, it is now free under BandLab.

🔹 Best for: Songwriters who want full-scale music production capabilities.
🔹 Key Features: Unlimited tracks, advanced MIDI editing, VST support.
🔹 How to Access: Download it for free from BandLab Cakewalk.

Tracktion Waveform Free – Unlimited Audio & MIDI Tracks

Waveform Free is a feature-packed DAW that doesn’t impose limitations on track count, making it a great choice for songwriters looking to produce full songs.

🔹 Best for: Musicians needing unlimited tracks for layering multiple instruments and vocals.
🔹 Key Features: Drag-and-drop interface, MIDI sequencing, plugin support.
🔹 How to Access: Download it at Tracktion Waveform Free.

GarageBand – The Best Free DAW for Mac Users

If you’re a Mac user, GarageBand is one of the best free DAWs for songwriters. It’s easy to use and comes with built-in instruments, loops, and recording features.

🔹 Best for: Beginner songwriters who want a simple yet powerful recording tool.
🔹 Key Features: Built-in virtual instruments, pre-recorded loops, multi-track recording.
🔹 How to Access: Pre-installed on Mac or available for free on the Mac App Store.

Audacity – Best for Simple Recording & Editing

Audacity is a lightweight and easy-to-use DAW that allows you to record vocals, edit tracks, and apply effects. While it lacks advanced MIDI capabilities, it’s perfect for basic songwriting demos.

🔹 Best for: Simple vocal recording and editing without complex production.
🔹 Key Features: Multi-track editing, noise reduction, basic effects.
🔹 How to Access: Download it for free at Audacity.

LMMS – Free Alternative to FL Studio

LMMS is an open-source DAW that provides beat-making, MIDI composition, and virtual instruments. It’s a great option if you enjoy composing electronic or pop music.

🔹 Best for: Songwriters who want to create beats and experiment with electronic sounds.
🔹 Key Features: MIDI sequencing, built-in synths, automation tools.
🔹 How to Access: Get it for free at LMMS.

SoundBridge – Simple and Intuitive DAW

SoundBridge is a user-friendly DAW that offers multi-track recording, MIDI sequencing, and VST support. It’s great for songwriters who want a straightforward interface without unnecessary complexity.

🔹 Best for: Singer-songwriters who need a clean and intuitive DAW.
🔹 Key Features: Touchscreen compatibility, built-in drum machine, plugin support.
🔹 How to Access: Download it for free at SoundBridge.

#06 Free Online Songwriting Communities & Forums

Songwriting can feel like a solitary journey, but connecting with other songwriters, musicians, and industry professionals can help you improve your craft, get feedback, and stay inspired.

Joining free songwriting communities and forums gives you access to constructive critiques, co-writing opportunities, and valuable industry insights. Here are some of the best free online songwriting communities to check out.

Reddit’s r/Songwriting – Active Songwriting Discussions

Reddit has a highly active songwriting community where you can ask questions, share lyrics, and get advice from thousands of songwriters. Whether you need help with song structure, melody writing, or lyrics, this forum is a goldmine of information.

🔹 Best for: Beginners and experienced songwriters looking for quick feedback.
🔹 Key Features: Community discussions, lyric critiques, songwriting prompts.
🔹 How to Join: Visit r/Songwriting and participate for free..

Kompoz – Online Collaboration for Songwriters & Musicians

Kompoz is more than just a forum—it’s a collaborative platform where songwriters, musicians, and producers can co-write and produce songs together online. If you’re looking to find a co-writer, a vocalist, or a producer, this is the perfect place to start.

🔹 Best for: Songwriters who want to collaborate with musicians worldwide.
🔹 Key Features: Online song collaboration, community feedback, royalty-free tracks.
🔹 How to Join: Create a free account at Kompoz.

Songstuff – Songwriting & Music Production Forum

Songstuff is a comprehensive forum covering all aspects of songwriting, music production, and the music business. The community is helpful and knowledgeable, making it a great resource for new and experienced songwriters alike.

🔹 Best for: Songwriters who want to learn about songwriting, recording, and music marketing.
🔹 Key Features: Song critiques, production advice, marketing discussions.
🔹 How to Join: Register for free at Songstuff.

SoundCloud Groups – Share Your Songs & Get Feedback

While SoundCloud is known for music streaming, it also has songwriting groups where you can share your work, get feedback, and connect with other musicians.

🔹 Best for: Songwriters looking to share their music and gain exposure.
🔹 Key Features: Community discussions, song sharing, networking opportunities.
🔹 How to Join: Browse SoundCloud groups related to songwriting at SoundCloud.

Best Free Resources for Aspiring Songwriters