Top 5 Online Songwriting Courses to Elevate Your Skills
Online Songwriting Courses
Songwriting is an art that blends creativity, storytelling, and musicality. Whether you’re a budding lyricist or a seasoned musician looking to refine your craft, taking the right steps to enhance your skills can make a world of difference.
Thanks to the internet, you no longer have to rely solely on trial and error to improve your songwriting.
With a variety of online songwriting courses, you can now learn songwriting online from industry professionals, gain valuable feedback, and connect with a community of like-minded creators—all from the comfort of your home.
In this article, we’ve rounded up the top 5 online songwriting courses to help you elevate your skills and turn your musical ideas into polished songs.
Whether you’re looking for comprehensive guidance or a crash course to spark creativity, there’s something here for everyone.
Let’s dive in!
#01 Lyric Writing: Writing Lyrics to Music
If you’re looking to master the art of writing lyrics that seamlessly flow with music, this course is for you.
Writing Lyrics to Music dives deep into the mechanics of songwriting, teaching you how to identify key lyrical and melodic components like stressed and unstressed beats, rhyme positions, and melodic sections.
It goes beyond the basics by exploring time signatures, musical feels, and how the shape of words can follow the melody to create an expressive and impactful song.
Lyric Writing Writing Lyrics to Music
What You’ll Learn:
How to identify stressed, non-stressed, and secondary syllables in a lyric line.
Techniques for writing lyric patterns that match musical patterns.
Understanding rhyme and hook positions within a song.
Mastering 3/4 and 4/4 writing styles.
Creating melody, verse, and chorus lyrics.
Working with multiple note values and swing time phrasing in 4/4 time.
Crafting bridges and pre-choruses.
Building confidence and independence in your songwriting process.
This course consists of 12 structured lessons, offering a step-by-step approach to lyric writing that even beginners can follow.
About the Instructors:
Pat Pattison: A professor at Berklee College of Music, Pat Pattison specializes in lyric writing and poetry, bringing decades of expertise to this course.
Gabby Tulloch: Known professionally as Gabby Michelle, she is a songwriter, producer, and performing artist with a passion for music education.
Whether you’re new to songwriting or want to sharpen your skills, this course provides practical tools and techniques to take your lyrics to the next level.
#02 Unlocking Your Songs
For those ready to immerse themselves in a comprehensive masterclass on songwriting, Unlocking Your Songs offers a transformative 30-session journey.
Taught by JUNO award-winning songwriter Brian Doerksen, this course dives deep into every layer of the songwriting craft.
From building solid foundations to honing lyric-writing techniques and mastering melodies, this course ensures you develop the skills to create meaningful and memorable songs.
Unlocking Your Songs
What You’ll Learn:
Sessions 1–10: Foundations, creative process, and song structure.
Sessions 11–20: Lyric writing techniques and refining your storytelling.
Sessions 21–30: Crafting melodies, chord changes, and nurturing a lifelong creative practice.
Each session includes on-demand video segments, allowing you to work at your own pace. You’ll also explore a curated collection of songs spanning various genres and eras, gaining inspiration and practical insights from the masters of songwriting.
About the Instructor:
Brian Doerksen: With over 30 years of experience, Brian is a songwriter, recording artist, and sought-after instructor. His well-known songs, including Come Now Is the Time to Worship and Refiner’s Fire, are sung in faith communities around the globe. Beyond his music career, Brian brings a deeply personal touch to his teaching, drawing from his life experiences as a father, husband, and creative mentor.
Whether you're starting your songwriting journey or looking to refine your craft, Unlocking Your Songs is a treasure trove of inspiration and expert guidance.
#03 The Basics Of Pro Songwriting
If you’re aiming to write songs like the pros, this course is a must-have. The Basics of Pro Songwriting is designed to help everyone, from complete beginners to experienced songwriters, take their craft to the next level.
With clear guidance on commercial songwriting fundamentals, this course equips you with the tools you need to create compelling, industry-ready songs.
The Basics Of Pro Songwriting
What You’ll Learn:
The fundamentals of commercial songwriting, including melody, structure, and lyrics.
Rhyme schemes, phrasing, and song structure to enhance your compositions.
The proven songwriting process behind countless #1 hits.
How to avoid common mistakes that can make even experienced songwriters seem amateur to industry professionals.
Course Features:
6.5 hours of on-demand video content to guide you through every step of songwriting.
4 insightful articles and 30 downloadable resources to support your learning.
Full lifetime access, with the ability to learn anytime on mobile or TV.
A certificate of completion to showcase your skills.
All of this is available for just $74.99, making it an excellent investment in your songwriting journey.
If you're ready to master the same techniques behind chart-topping hits and elevate your songwriting skills, this course provides everything you need to succeed.
#04 Fundamentals of Music Theory
A strong grasp of music theory is essential for any songwriter, and Fundamentals of Music Theory provides the perfect foundation. This course, updated in 2022, is designed to teach you the skills to read and write Western music notation, analyze compositions, and listen to music with a deeper understanding. Whether you're just starting out or want to refine your theoretical knowledge, this course caters to all levels.
Fundamentals of Music Theory
What You’ll Learn:
Pitches and scales: The building blocks of melodies.
Intervals and clefs: Essential tools for understanding notation.
Rhythm, metre, and time signatures: How to bring structure to your music.
Phrases, cadences, and form: Learn to identify patterns and musical flow.
Basic harmony: The foundation of creating richer compositions.
This course covers everything from the basics to more advanced concepts, making it equally valuable for beginners and experienced musicians.
About the Instructors:
The course is offered by the University of Edinburgh, with expert guidance from a team of accomplished instructors, including:
Dr. Thomas Butler
Dr. John Philip Kitchen MBE
Dr. Zack Moir
Dr. Nikki Moran
Dr. Richard Worth
With six well-structured modules, this course offers a comprehensive introduction to music theory, equipping you with the knowledge to elevate your songwriting skills.
#05 Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics
Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics is a course designed to help you unlock your creativity and transform your emotions and ideas into impactful songs. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have written a few songs already, this course provides an efficient and effective process for crafting lyrics that resonate.
The course emphasizes prosody, the art of matching the natural flow of words with the music, and it will guide you through the tools that enhance your songwriting.
Songwriting Writing the Lyrics
What You’ll Learn:
The tools of songwriting: Understanding prosody and how it shapes your lyrics.
Writing to express your ideas and emotions: Crafting lyrics that align with your message.
Composition while developing ideas: Balancing lyric writing with musical expression.
Using musical loops: No instrument? No problem! Use pre-recorded loops to lay down melodies and focus on your lyrics.
Course Syllabus:
Writing the Lyrics
The Journey of the Song
Stopping and Going
Sonic GPS—Mapping Your Song with Rhyme
Making It Move
This 16-hour, on-demand course, taught by Pat Pattison, offers comprehensive guidance and plenty of hands-on opportunities to practice your craft at your own pace.
Pat Pattison, a highly respected professor at Berklee College of Music, brings his vast experience to help you elevate your lyric writing skills and bring your songs to life.
Bonus: Free Resources for Aspiring Songwriters
At Hit Song Hero, we believe in supporting aspiring songwriters with practical tools. Download our Pro Songwriting Launch Kit for free to get access to workbooks, templates, and tips that will help you master the art of songwriting.
