If you are struggling to write your song or wish to improve your songwriting skills, fret not. We have got you covered.
Mastering the basics of songwriting and musicianship will help you get ahead of the game.
After discussion with experts in the music industry and established songwriters and musicians, our team has come up with some of the best songwriting courses to help you master the basics and get better at writing lyrics, finding great ideas for writing songs, writing chord progressions, refining melody, and music theory.
Let’s walk you through all these online songwriting courses to know the details.
Trending Songwriting Classes
Here’s a quick tabular overview of all the below-discussed songwriting classes.
| Course Name | Platform | Level | Instructor(s) | Certificate Provided | Scope | Cons | Get Access |
| The Basics of Pro Songwriting | Udemy | Beginners | Tom Worth | Yes | Prepares songwriters for commercial success by teaching songwriting basics and avoiding common industry mistakes, especially in country music. | Focuses more on country music | Sign Up Here |
| Songwriting & Music Production in GarageBand | Udemy | Beginners | Dean Davis | Yes | Ideal for home-based music production with GarageBand, teaching how to write, edit, and mix songs independently using budget-friendly tools. | Too basic for intermediate learners | Sign Up Here |
| Song Science #1: How Pros Use 6 Chords to Write Hit Songs | Udemy | Beginners | Matt (Musicians Inspired) | Yes | Provides skills to create chord progressions and melodies, helping songwriters evoke emotions and produce commercially viable songs. | Lack of practical application | Sign Up Here |
| Songwriting Simplified: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity | Udemy | Beginners | Steve Glazer | Yes | Teaches songwriting, music theory, and chord progressions for composing original songs across various genres, particularly for beginners. | Content may be too basic | Sign Up Here |
| Songwriting Hit Mastery: Lyric Writing, Music Theory | Udemy | Beginners | Erich Andreas, Melissa Peirce | Yes | Focuses on lyric writing, song structure, and collaboration tips for breaking into the music industry and networking with professionals. | Fast-paced content | Sign Up Here |
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Best Songwriting Courses |
Coursera | Beginners + Intermediate | Berklee College Tutors | Yes | Offers a range of songwriting and music production courses, helping learners develop both creative and technical skills for songwriting, digital music production, and recording. | No specific cons | Sign Up Here |
| Commercial Songwriting Techniques | Berklee | Beginners + Intermediate | Noah Lubert, Andrea Stolpe | Yes | Equips songwriters with advanced skills in lyric writing, melody, and harmonic techniques, offering professional guidance and networking with music industry professionals. | Expensive | Sign Up Here |
| Songwriting Courses | SkillShare | Beginners + Intermediate | Various | Yes | Covers a wide range of songwriting and music production topics, ideal for beginners and intermediates wanting to develop skills in songwriting, digital music production, and setting up home studios. | Limited live interaction with instructors | Sign Up Here |
| How to Write Your First Song | FutureLearn | Beginners + Intermediate | Adam White | Yes | Introduces novices to songwriting basics, covering melody, chord progressions, and song forms, enabling learners to write, arrange, and compose their first song. | May be too basic for experienced songwriters | Sign Up Here |
| Online Songwriting courses | The Songwriting School of Los Angeles | All levels | Experts from School of Los Angeles | Yes | Offers comprehensive online songwriting courses, led by Grammy-winning musicians, covering topics like lyric writing, music production, and songwriting business. Prepares learners for media placement in films and commercials. | Expensive and lacks hands-on, practical recording experience. | Sign Up Here |
2022’s Best Songwriting Courses Online
Now, that we have given a tabular overview, let us discuss each of these courses in greater detail.
1. The Basics of Pro Songwriting (Udemy)
Cost: $74.99
Enrolled: 12655 students
Learn songwriting online with this online songwriting course from Udemy. Whether you are a beginner at songwriting or a pro, this is one of the best courses available on the internet.
The course is designed for all those who want to make a career in writing songs. When you enroll in this course, you will learn the basics of commercial songwriting, especially those that would play on the radio. Also, you will learn the basics of Pro songwriting.
In this session, your instructor will be Tom Worth. Tom is an industry expert and an acclaimed, professional songwriter and songwriting coach. He has more than two decades of experience.
This course will also help you to avoid the common mistakes that songwriters make that instantly put off industry professionals. Many genres will be covered throughout the course. By the end of the course, you will be awarded a certificate of completion.
| Rating | 4.6 based on 2449 reviews |
| Duration | 6 hours |
| Level | Beginners |
| Refund policy | 30-day refund |
| Certificate provided | Yes |
| Course material provided | Yes ( 4 articles + 21 downloadable resources) |
| Recorded classes | Yes |
| Course type | Paid |
| Instructor | Tom Worth |
| Cons | Course focuses more on country music. |
Learning Outcomes
Here are a few things that you will learn in this songwriting course.
- Fundamentals of commercial songwriting.
- Basics of song structure, rhyme schemes, melody and lyric writing, phrasing, and more.
- The songwriting process is used to write popular songs.
- Things to Avoid Common Songwriting Mistakes
Who is this course for?
This course is ideal for:
- Songwriters and singers who are passionate about songwriting.
- Individuals want to make it big in commercial songwriting.
Industry Application
This course equips aspiring songwriters with essential skills for creating commercially viable songs, particularly suited for the radio. It prepares individuals to avoid common industry mistakes and enhances their ability to write songs that appeal to music professionals, especially in genres like country music.
2. Songwriting & Music Production in GarageBand – A Total Guide (Udemy)
Cost: $79.99
Enrolled: 8,018 students
If you are someone looking to write, record, and mix in GarageBand, this is the best online songwriting course from Udemy. This course will teach you step-by-step how to write, record, edit, mix, and master your music.
First, you will learn to master the basics of the GarageBand interface and later you will discover the powerful tools of GarageBand so that you can record, write, edit, mix, and master high-quality music.
You will also learn here to build your home studio from scratch using budget-friendly equipment. By the end of the course, you will be required to produce your original song and you will be allowed to share it with the student community for feedback.
The only requirement for this course is to get the latest version of GarageBand. There will be many assignments given to you for practice. This class is presented to you by Dean Davis. He is a producer and a songwriter who cherishes making original music in his home studio. Dean is also a director at The Songwriting Studio, a community and resource that trains songwriters to write and produce meaningful, top-quality music from home.
| Rating | 4.7 based on 1957 reviews |
| Duration | 2.5 hours |
| Level | Beginners |
| Refund policy | 30-day refund |
| Certificate provided | Yes |
| Course material provided | Yes ( 4 articles + 1 downloadable resources) |
| Live classes/recorded classes | Yes |
| Course type | Paid |
| Instructor | Dean Davis |
| Cons | Too basic for intermediate learners |
Learning Outcomes
A few things that you will learn in this best online songwriting course are:
- Master the GarageBand interface
- Discover and master the tools of songwriting of GarageBand for creative songwriting
- Learn to use the tools of GarageBand to produce high-quality music
- Learn to build your home studio from scratch on a budget using high-quality equipment
Who is this course for?
This course is a perfect fit for:
- Beginners and intermediate songwriters wanting to learn writing, recording, editing, mixing, and mastering their music in GarageBand
- Songwriters and musicians wanting to build a high-quality home studio on a budget
- Singers or musicians wanting to learn the GarageBand software and those who would want to write and record music from home
- Singers who would want to start arranging music with the help of digital instrumentation in GarageBand
Industry Application
This course enables aspiring songwriters and musicians to write, record, edit, mix, and master high-quality music using GarageBand, making it ideal for home-based music production. It provides hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and techniques, helping individuals produce professional-level music independently, which is crucial for those pursuing careers in songwriting and music production.
3. Song Science #1: How Pros Use 6 Chords to Write Hit Songs (Udemy)
Cost: $64.99
Enrolled: 10,171 students
Learn songwriting online with Udemy’s songwriting classes. This course will help you understand how to put together chords and write songs professionally.
This online songwriting course uses real-life examples to show you how 6 commonly used chords work in popular music. By the end of the course, you would be able to take up a concept of a song and build chord progressions.
In this class, your instructor will be Matt. He is the founder of Musicians Inspired, a website that inspires musicians to create by imparting new skills fast. Matt is a full-time teacher and a musician in Los Angeles and New York City.
| Rating | 4.8 based on 1548 reviews |
| Duration | 1 hour |
| Level | Beginners |
| Refund policy | 30-day refund |
| Certificate provided | Yes |
| Course material provided | Yes (2 articles) |
| Recorded classes | Yes |
| Course type | Paid |
| Instructor | Musicians Inspired |
| Cons | Lack of practical application |
Learning Outcomes
A few things that you will learn through this songwriting course:
- How to use melody and chords for creating different emotions
- Create chord progressions
Prerequisites
For the best songwriting courses online, one needs experience with instruments like piano or guitar for writing songs.
Who is this course for?
This course is ideal for all those who love writing songs and wish to improve their quality.
Industry Application
This course equips musicians with the ability to create chord progressions and melodies that evoke specific emotions, a key skill in professional songwriting. By mastering these techniques, individuals can produce commercially viable songs, enhancing their ability to work in the music industry, particularly in composing and songwriting for various genres.
4. Songwriting simplified: Music theory, melody & creativity (Udemy)
Cost: $69.99
Enrolled: 10,492 students
This is Udemy’s one of the best online songwriting courses to learn songwriting online. In this course, you will learn everything to get started with writing songs like a pro.
You will learn about tips and tricks of songwriting, creative writing, lyric writing, song structure, chord progressions, music theory, scales, etc.
it will also teach you basic piano and guitar chords to help you with basic chord progressions. The best part about this songwriting course is that when you complete the course, you will be awarded a certificate of completion.
Steve Glazer is the instructor for this class. He has been a full-time guitarist, professional singer, and music coach for the last two decades. He is also a published songwriter trained by the same vocal coach who taught many of the imminent musicians from around the world.
| Rating | 4.5 based on 1567 reviews |
| Duration | 4.5 hours |
| Level | Beginners |
| Refund policy | 30-day refund |
| Certificate provided | Yes |
| Course material provided | Yes (1 article + 38 downloadable resources) |
| Recorded classes | Yes |
| Course type | Paid |
| Instructor | Steve Glazer |
| Cons | Content is too basic |
Learning Outcomes
Some of the things you will learn here are:
- Writing a completely new song
- Fundamentals of chord progressions, music theory, melody writing, and lyric writing
- Transposing your song into any key
- Chord Progressions used by hit songwriters
Who is this songwriting course for?
These songwriting classes online are ideal for:
- People interested in writing songs
- Pianists and guitarists wanting to learn music theory
- Singers who want to write their own songs
- Pianists wanting to learn more about Guitar and vice versa
Industry Application
This course equips aspiring songwriters with fundamental skills in chord progressions, music theory, and lyric writing, enabling them to compose original songs and transpose them into any key. These skills are crucial for producing professional-level music, making the course valuable for individuals pursuing careers in songwriting and music production across various genres in the music industry.
5. Songwriting Hit Mastery: Lyric Writing, Music Theory (Udemy)
Cost: $69.99
Enrolled: 9,429 students
This online songwriting course is one of the bestsellers from Udemy. Through this course, you will learn the crafting tools and practices of professional songwriting – creating ideas, writing common themes, hitting chord progressions, crafting elevated lyrics, and understanding song structure.
This course also teaches songwriters how to collaborate, break into the industry, and resources for networking and making money. It covers exercises and resources for practice and growth. You will also come across insider recommendations and resources to help you with networking in the music industry.
The only requirement for enrolling in this course is an open mind and a desire to write your songs. This course’s instructors are Erich Andreas and Melissa Peirce. Erich has been teaching and playing guitar for about four decades. He has personally taught more than 10,000 students with his one-on-one sessions in the last three-plus decades. He also teaches guitar on his YouTube channel which has over 1 million subscribers. Melissa has written songs on albums that have collectively sold more than 12 million units. She also has over 120 million streams from different streaming services and over 115 views on her YouTube channel.
| Rating | 4.7 based on 1541 reviews |
| Duration | 3.5 hours |
| Level | Beginners |
| Refund policy | 30-day refund |
| Certificate provided | Yes |
| Course material provided | Yes (70 video songwriting lessons + 22 downloadable resources) |
| Recorded classes | Yes |
| Course type | Paid |
| Instructor | Erich Andreas, Melissa Peirce |
| Scope of improvement | The pace of this online songwriting course is fast |
Learning Outcomes
A few things that you will learn in these songwriting classes online.
- Lyric writing, song structure, writing songs, ideas and themes, melody construction and chord progressions
- Learn to write well-crafted songs in the shortest period
- Insider industry tips and secrets
- Information needed to make it as a professional songwriter.
- Tips on breaking into the music industry, essentials of the music business, resources for songwriters
Who is this course for?
This songwriting course is perfect for:
- Lyricists desiring to hone their storytelling
- Musicians wanting to write their music
- Songwriters intending to sharpen their melodic skills
Industry Application
This course provides aspiring songwriters with the tools to craft professional-quality songs, focusing on lyric writing, song structure, and melody creation. It also offers insider tips on breaking into the music industry and networking, making it ideal for individuals aiming to establish a career in songwriting and music production while understanding the business side of the industry.
6. Best songwriting courses online (Coursera)
Coursera in coordination with Berklee College of Music offers a wide range of programs in songwriting. Whether you are a beginner at songwriting or a pro who is looking to step up your game, you can enroll in any of their online songwriting course to learn the technical details of songwriting.
All the courses have flexible schedules and are 100% online. By the end of each course, you will be awarded a certificate of completion. There will be weekly practical assignments to gauge your learning.
| Duration | 6 weeks |
| Level | Beginners + intermediate learners |
| Certificate provided | Yes |
| Course material provided | Yes |
| Recorded classes | Yes |
| Course type | Paid |
We have listed some of the best songwriting courses on Coursera.
- The Singer-Songwriter
- Electronic Music Production
- Songwriting: Writing, Arranging, and Producing Music
- Introduction to Ableton Live
Industry Application
Coursera’s songwriting programs, in collaboration with Berklee College of Music, provide aspiring songwriters with comprehensive training in writing, arranging, and producing music, as well as electronic music production and tools like Ableton Live. These courses equip learners with both creative and technical skills, preparing them to craft professional songs and navigate various aspects of music production, with applications in songwriting, recording, and digital music creation in the industry.
7. Commercial Songwriting Techniques
Cost: 3-Credit Tuition $1,545 Non-Credit Tuition $1,290
If you want to learn songwriting online and create your unique musical identity with guidance from the best industry professionals, Berklee College’s song course is what you need.
Through this course, you will study lyric writing, mastering melody writing, and harmonic techniques. Berklee College offers more than 200 programs in a wide variety of musical interest areas that you can take advantage of like courses in jazz composition, lyric writing, music composition for film and TV, fundamentals of music production, and so on.
All their courses are taught by industry professionals and renowned tutors of Berklee College of Music, Boston. Students also get to communicate with professional songwriters, music industry professionals, and representatives of various songwriters associations. You can also try out their free sample course including 12 lessons from their most popular courses.
The instructors for this class are Noah Lubert and Andrea Stolpe. They are both proficient instructors with many years of experience behind them.
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Level | Beginners + intermediate learners |
| Certificate provided | Yes |
| Course material provided | Yes |
| Course type | Paid |
| Instructor | Berklee College Tutors |
We have listed some of their best songwriting courses.
- Commercial songwriting techniques
- Creative writing: Finding your voice
- Lyric writing: tools and strategies
- Jazz composition
Industry Application
Berklee Online’s songwriting courses provide in-depth training in lyric writing, melody composition, and harmonic techniques, guided by industry professionals. These programs help students develop their unique musical identity while offering insights into the music industry. With access to top-tier resources and opportunities to network with professional songwriters and industry representatives, Berklee’s courses prepare learners for a successful career in songwriting, commercial music, and various composition fields like jazz and film scoring.
8. Best Online Songwriting Courses (SkillShare)
SkillShare is an online platform that offers abundant writing courses for songs on the internet. All the best songwriting courses online here will help you acquire skills to become a pro in the music industry. There are a wide variety of songwriting classes online in various techniques and topics.
SkillShare offers classes on music production, melody and lyric writing, creative songwriting, music theory, GarageBand, music composition, and so on.
Whether you are a beginner who wants to explore a melody for the first time, or you are an experienced songwriter wanting to upgrade your skills, Skillshare offers many tutorials that will help you hone your abilities. These classes will also teach you to set up your home studio and use software like FL Studio 20, Ableton 11, GarageBand, and more. All the classes are taught by industry experts.
| Duration | 1-8 hours |
| Level | Beginners + intermediate learners |
| Certificate provided | Yes |
| Course material provided | Yes |
| Live classes/recorded classes | Yes |
| Course type | Paid online songwriting course |
You can go through our list of best songwriting courses online.
- Creative Songwriting for Beginners
- Beginners Guide to GarageBand – Let’s write a song
- Music composition with Piano
- Toplining 101: Melody and Lyrics in Songwriting
Industry Application
SkillShare’s online songwriting courses provide comprehensive training in music production, melody and lyric writing, and music composition. Taught by industry experts, these courses cover essential tools and software like FL Studio, Ableton, and GarageBand, preparing learners to compose, produce, and refine their music. Whether for beginners or experienced songwriters, the platform equips individuals with the skills needed to succeed in the music industry, from songwriting to home studio setup and digital music production.
9. How to Write Your First Song (FutureLearn)
Cost: $134
Enrolled: 64,435 students
FurtureLearn along with The University of Sheffield designed the course to let you introduce to the techniques and tools of writing your first song. Here you will learn the fundamentals of writing songs and discover the principles of song composition.
By the end of these songwriting classes online, you will learn to write your song, and melody, work with pitch, chord progressions, etc. You will explore what an effective melody is and how to structure your piece. With the help of these techniques, you can write your future songs.
You will study with Adam White, a professional musician and an associate lecturer in Music with The Open University. He was also a course director for music at the Department for Lifelong Learning at the University of Sheffield.
| Rating | 4.7 based on 178 ratings |
| Duration | 6 weeks |
| Level | Beginners + intermediate learners |
| Certificate provided | Yes |
| Course material provided | Yes |
| Recorded classes | Yes |
| Course type | Paid |
| Instructor | Adam White |
Topics Covered
A few things that would be taught to you through this songwriting course:
- Time and pitch
- Working with melody
- Chords and chord progressions
- Setting words to music
- Arranging song
- Song forms
Learning Outcomes
Some of the things you will learn here:
- Learn to write an effective melody
- Set words to rhythm
- Discover different chord types and progressions in popular songs
- Explain the most commonly used song structures and forms
- Explore how songs are developed
- Combining musical elements with your song
Who is this course for?
These songwriting classes are perfect for:
- Novice who is new to songwriting
- Budding amateurs or professionals wanting to develop their songwriting skills
Industry Application
This course provides novice and aspiring songwriters with fundamental skills in melody writing, chord progressions, and song structure, enabling them to craft well-composed songs. With insights into music theory and practical techniques, learners are prepared to develop their songwriting abilities, making it applicable for those looking to create music professionally or enhance their songwriting skills in the music industry.
Related Courses: Online Drum Classes, Violin Training Classes, Saxophone Lessons, Cello Lessons
10. Songwriting courses (The Songwriting School of Los Angeles)
Cost: $399
The Songwriting School of Los Angeles offers songwriting classes online, private lessons in piano, guitar, songwriting, bass, drums, and voice, on-line classes, master classes, and a professional recording studio.
Their instructors include Grammy award-winning musicians and songwriters, film composers, and hit writers. They provide the best songwriting courses online and classes in music production, lyric writing, songwriting, music business, digital marketing, and more. Some of the courses to choose from are:
- Placing Songs in TV, Commercials, and films
- Writing Commercial Hit Lyrics
- Create and Record a Song in Ableton Live
Industry Application
The Songwriting School of Los Angeles offers comprehensive online songwriting courses led by Grammy-winning musicians and industry professionals. Students can explore a variety of topics, including lyric writing, music production, and the business of songwriting while receiving guidance from experienced instructors. This program equips aspiring songwriters with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the music industry, create commercial hit songs, and successfully place their music in media like films and commercials.
Go through our comprehensive list of song writing courses and find the online songwriting course suited for yourself.
