10 Best Songwriting Courses of 2025
Songwriting is more than just putting words to music. It’s a craft that requires skill, creativity, and technical knowledge. Whether you’re an aspiring songwriter or an experienced musician looking to refine your process, the right training can make all the difference. This guide covers the best online songwriting courses to help you master melody, lyric writing, and music production.
Why Learn Songwriting?
Songwriting is a blend of melody, poetry, and storytelling. A strong understanding of musical structure, chord progressions, and lyrical techniques can transform raw talent into polished compositions. Learning songwriting can help:
- Develop structured songwriting lessons online to create compelling melodies and lyrics.
- Understand music theory and songwriting programs used by industry professionals.
- Improve your ability to write songs that connect with audiences.
- Gain insights from experts on the best songwriting courses on UK and international platforms.
Whether you're looking for the best songwriting courses online or a structured songwriting workshop, this guide will help you find the right fit.
How to Choose the Best Songwriting Courses
Finding the right course depends on several factors:
- Skill Level: Choose a course that matches your experience—beginner, intermediate, or advanced.
- Focus Area: Some courses focus on lyric writing, while others emphasize music composition or production.
- Format: Consider self-paced, instructor-led, or hybrid formats depending on your learning preference.
- Additional Features: Some courses offer songwriting workshops, downloadable materials, certification, and practical exercises.
10 Best Songwriting Courses
1. The Basics Of Pro Songwriting
This course teaches the fundamentals of commercial songwriting, focusing on techniques used by professional songwriters to create marketable music. It covers essential aspects such as song structure, melody development, lyric writing, rhyme schemes, and phrasing. Furthermore, it highlights common mistakes to avoid, ensuring that learners can craft songs that appeal to both audiences and industry professionals.
Provider: Udemy
Key Features:
- Comprehensive lessons on commercial songwriting fundamentals.
- Insights into professional songwriting processes.
- Detailed breakdown of song components.
- Guidance on avoiding common songwriting pitfalls.
- Suitable for beginners and intermediate songwriters.
Cost:
Paid (pricing details available on Udemy.)
Time Duration:
Approximately 6.5 hours of on-demand video content.
2. Songwriting & Music Production In GarageBand- A Total Guide!
This course is designed for aspiring songwriters and music producers aiming to create and produce their own music using GarageBand. It covers the entire process from songwriting fundamentals to arranging, mixing, and mastering tracks. Learners will gain hands-on experience with GarageBand’s tools to develop professional-quality music without the need for expensive equipment or software.
Provider: Udemy
Key Features:
- Comprehensive lessons on recording, editing, mixing, and mastering music.
- Guidance on creating drum parts and using virtual instruments.
- Techniques for recording real instruments and enhancing their sound quality.
- Suitable for beginners and intermediate learners.
Cost:
Paid (pricing details available on Udemy.)
Time Duration:
Approximately 2.5 hours of on-demand video content.
3. Songwriting Hit Mastery: Lyric Writing, Music Theory
This songwriting course teaches aspiring and experienced songwriters how to craft compelling, hit-worthy songs. It breaks down melody creation, lyric writing, and song structuring, helping students develop strong hooks and engaging storytelling techniques. The course focuses on practical exercises to improve songwriting skills and enhance creativity.
Provider: Udemy
Key Features:
- Learn proven techniques used in hit songwriting.
- Develop catchy melodies, strong chord progressions, and engaging lyrics.
- Understand song structures and arrangements for commercial success.
- Discover storytelling methods to create emotionally impactful songs.
- Includes 22 downloadable resources for practice and reference.
- Certificate of completion upon finishing the course.
Cost:
Paid (pricing details available on Udemy)
Time Duration:
3.5 hours of on-demand video.
4. SONGWRITING SIMPLIFIED: Music Theory, Melody & Creativity
This songwriting course is designed to simplify the songwriting process by breaking it down into clear, manageable steps. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced songwriter, this course teaches melody, lyrics, and structure to help you write meaningful and memorable songs.
Provider: Udemy
Key Features:
- A step-by-step approach to writing songs easily.
- Learn essential music theory for songwriting without complexity.
- Techniques to improve lyrics and melodies.
- Break down famous songs to understand their success.
- Practical exercises to develop songwriting skills.
- Access to downloadable resources for reference.
- Certificate of completion upon finishing the course.
Cost:
Paid (pricing details available on Udemy.)
Time Duration:
Approximately 4.5 hours of on-demand video content.
5. Song Science #1: How Pros Use 6 Chords to Write Hit Songs
This course breaks down the songwriting techniques used by professional musicians, focusing on six essential chords that form the foundation of countless hit songs. It helps learners understand chord progressions, melody creation, and harmonic structures to craft compelling songs.
Provider: Udemy
Key Features:
- Learn how six essential chords shape hit songs.
- Breakdown of popular songs using these chord progressions.
- Practical exercises to apply concepts in songwriting.
- Ideal for beginners and intermediate songwriters.
- No prior music theory knowledge is required.
- Access on mobile and TV.
- Certificate of completion.
Cost:
Paid (pricing details available on Udemy.)
Time Duration:
Approximately 1 hour of on-demand video content.
6. Songwriting 101- Composition, Lyrics + Music Production
This course teaches essential songwriting and music production techniques across multiple genres, including pop, rock, country, and EDM. It covers melody writing, chord progressions, lyric composition, and arrangement. Additionally, the course provides insights into producing and mixing songs using industry-standard tools.
Provider: Udemy
Key Features:
- Covers songwriting techniques for various music genres.
- Teaches melody writing, chords, harmonies, and lyric writing essentials.
- Includes arrangement, structure, and song production techniques.
- Provides mixing and production tips to refine songs.
- Suitable for all DAWs, with demonstrations in Logic Pro.
- 12.5 hours of on-demand video.
- 15 articles for in-depth learning.
- 16 downloadable resources.
- Mobile and TV access.
- Certificate of completion.
Cost:
Paid (pricing details available on Udemy.)
Time Duration:
Approximately 12.5 hours of on-demand video content.
7. 7 Secrets to HIT Songwriting
This course is designed by veteran Motown songwriter Clay Drayton, who shares insider techniques on writing hit songs that resonate with audiences. The lessons focus on hooks, melody writing, storytelling, and structuring lyrics to create timeless and commercially successful music. The course is ideal for aspiring songwriters looking to develop professional songwriting skills.
Provider: Udemy
Key Features:
- Learn the power of the hook and how to make your song stand out.
- Discover proven techniques from Motown for writing catchy melodies and compelling lyrics.
- Understand how to structure a song to maximize its impact.
- Get insights into what makes a song commercially successful.
- Hands-on mentorship approach with examples, critiques, and collaboration.
- Includes templates and songwriting tools to apply learned concepts effectively.
Cost:
Varies (check Udemy for discounts and offers.)
Time Duration:
Approximately 3.5 hours of on-demand video content.
8. HOW TO WRITE SONGS | The Songwriting Process Start to Finish
This course takes a structured approach to songwriting, providing step-by-step guidance on transforming ideas into full compositions. Whether starting from lyrics or melody, learners will develop a solid workflow to create compelling songs. The course covers professional songwriting techniques, practical exercises, and proven strategies used by experienced songwriters.
Provider: Udemy
Key Features:
- Two songwriting methods: starting with lyrics first or music first.
- Step-by-step guidance on crafting melodies, harmonies, and lyrics.
- Practical tools and strategies used by professional songwriters.
- Techniques for structuring and arranging songs effectively.
- Real-world applications with exercises to refine songwriting skills.
Cost:
Paid (pricing details available on Udemy.)
Time Duration:
Approximately 2 hours of on-demand video content.
9. Song Science #3: How to Build Contemporary Song Forms
This course focuses on mastering different song structures, including the verse, chorus, pre-chorus, post-chorus, and bridge to create impactful songs. Students will learn how to structure songs for maximum engagement, contrast sections effectively, and develop harmonic rhythm for professional songwriting.
Provider: Udemy
Key Features:
- Learn to build different song sections, including verse, chorus, and pre-chorus.
- Techniques for creating stability and instability in songs.
- Strategies to contrast sections for an engaging composition.
- Practical exercises to apply concepts in real-world songwriting.
- Suitable for songwriters, lyricists, and music composition enthusiasts.
Cost:
Paid (pricing details available on Udemy.)
Time Duration:
Approximately 1.5 hours of on-demand video content.
10. Music Theory for Songwriters: From Beginner to Producer
This course simplifies music theory, making it accessible for songwriters and producers at all levels. It covers essential concepts like chord progressions, scales, and melodies, helping learners understand how popular songs are structured. By the end of the course, students will have the confidence to create their own compositions using proven techniques.
Provider: Udemy
Key Features:
- Covers essential music theory concepts like major scales, chords, and progressions.
- Practical application for songwriting and music production.
- Insights into how popular songs are structured.
- Guidance on using music theory for various genres.
- Hands-on exercises to solidify learning.
Cost:
Paid (pricing details available on Udemy.)
Time Duration:
Approximately 1.5 hours of on-demand video content.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Songwriting Course
- Practice regularly and apply what you learn to your own songwriting.
- Join songwriting workshops or online communities for feedback and networking.
- Experiment with different songwriting techniques to develop your unique style.
- Use additional resources like the best songwriting courses online that offer templates and exercises.
Conclusion
Whether you are just starting or looking to refine your skills, these best songwriting courses provide valuable insights into the craft. From lyrics writing courses to advanced music composition, each course offers practical lessons to help you create better songs. Choose a course that fits your style and start improving your songwriting today.
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FAQs
Are songwriting courses worth it?
Yes, they provide structured learning, expert guidance, and valuable industry insights.
What is the 80/20 rule in writing?
80% of the impact comes from 20% of your effort. For better results, focus on the key aspects of songwriting.
What is the hardest part of songwriting?
Balancing melody and lyrics while maintaining originality is often the biggest challenge.
Is songwriting a skill or a talent?
It is both. Talent can help, but songwriting is a skill that improves with practice and learning.
Who is the richest songwriter in the world?
Paul McCartney is often cited as the wealthiest songwriter due to his extensive music catalog and royalties.