Songwriting

This one-hour weekly class is designed to demystify songwriting and help students learn how to express themselves through music. Using the same songwriting methods taught at Berklee College of Music and inspired by music students already love, we’ll break down what makes a great song work—melody, song structure, chord progressions, lyric writing—and show students how to apply those same techniques to their own ideas. Reverse engineering the components of songs students already love will show students how magic is made and that it is quite simple to replicate.

Each week, students will be responsible for writing a small section of a song, anywhere from 15 to 45 seconds long. The goal is not perfection; it’s progress and expression. We’ll explore creative tools that make songwriting more approachable, like writing over loops, using chord generators, and studying real-world examples. More than anything, this class is about giving students a productive outlet, a way to turn big emotions and personal experiences into something lasting and meaningful. Most people love music without knowing why; this class helps students figure that out and start creating it themselves. By the end of the semester each student will have 1-2 completed songs to showcase and build upon.