Songwriting Course

This songwriting course is designed for the first time songwriter who wants to learn how to write great songs. The course will take the learner through the simplest building blocks of contemporary hits, through to the creative essentials that the most successful writers rely on every day.

To be able to participate fully in the Songwriting Course, students will need to have the ability to play an instrument such as a guitar or keyboard and the facility to record the instrument and some vocal parts to submit to Point Blank as part of the course work.

Course materials include:

One-to-one video feedback on your music

Weekly online masterclass with a pro producer

Over 20 exclusive video tutorials

300 pages of course notes

Exclusive samples & audio resources

24/7 access to student / tutor discussion forums

Songwriting Course Contents

Week 1: Songs and the Music Industry

• The value of a song within the music industry
• Publishing
• Attributes of a successful song

Week 2: The basics of song structure

• The components of a successful song
• The principle of light and shade
• Choruses, verses and prechoruses

Week 3: Hooks

• What is a hook?
• How to write a hook
• The ‘energy' of a successful song

Week 4: Music theory for songwriters Part 1

• Keys
• Modes & scales
• Time signatures

Week 5: Music theory for songwriters Part 2

• Extended chords
• Bass parts
• Using music theory basics to write songs

Week 6: Music theory for songwriters Part 3

• Chord sequences
• Key changes (modulation)
• Extended chords

Week 7: Melodies

• Melody construction
• Melodies and harmony
• The relationship of melodies and chord sequences

Week 8: Lyrics

• Song styles
• Rhyming structure
• How to write a lyric that works with an existing melody

Week 9: Lyrics part 2

• The essentials of a successful lyric
• Writing from a title
• Writing a lyric without an existing melody

Week 10: Creative Essentials - Ideas for great songs

• Where to find inspiration
• How to cope with ‘writer's block'
• Exciting and innovative ideas for songs

Week 11: Production for songwriters - part 1

• What ideas work best with a large audience?
• How to refresh a cliché and make it work for your song
• Commercial songwriting techniques

Week 12: Production for songwriters - part 2

• How to present your song for other musicians
• Basic skills required for demo recordings
• Effective arrangements for songwriters