Education by American Songwriter
Learn Songwriting Online
Wherever you are as a songwriter,
there's a next step.
The online school from American Songwriter — a clear, three-step path from your first finished song to the professional co-writing room, taught by working hit songwriters.
Videos by American Songwriter
Start where you are. Keep building from there.
Three courses, three levels — one clear path forward. Each is designed and led by working hit songwriters, for writers at a specific stage.
Learn the fundamentals from pro songwriters — from your first blank page all the way to a professionally produced demo of your own song.
A hands-on lyric intensive. Break down a core element of lyric writing each week and apply it in real time with live feedback and guided rewrites.
A real-time collaboration lab. Co-write with other writers each week and build the creative, interpersonal, and professional skills that make co-writing work.
Why we're building more
Foundations is our first course — and its first graduates are already writing songs they couldn't before. That success is exactly what's driving everything coming next.
"The lessons and information are priceless. All of the instructors & guest singer-songwriters graciously offer their wisdom — authentic & highly inspirational while being educational & encouraging."
"This course gives you the nuts, the bolts and the tools to improve your own songwriting… It also offers invaluable information and advice from multiple working songwriters."
Learn from working hit songwriters
Songwriter U isn't a set of pre-recorded modules — it's a chance to learn the processes, tools, and instincts behind the songs you know, taught by writers, for writers.
Dean Fields
Cuts by Lori McKenna & William Clark Green · No. 1 on Texas radio · placements with Disney, Paramount & ABC.
Nashville-based songwriter, performer, and producer. A Classical Composition graduate of William & Mary, he's played 1,000+ shows nationwide and now mentors emerging writers through American Songwriter.
Adam Wright
Multi-Grammy-nominated · cuts by Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood.
Sarah Siskind
Covered by Robert Plant, Alison Krauss & Wynonna · 20+ songs on ABC's Nashville.
Thomm Jutz
Grammy-nominated · ten #1 bluegrass hits · IBMA Songwriter of the Year.
Ava Suppelsa
Cuts by Keith Urban & Carly Pearce · 350M+ streams · "30 Under 30."
Aaron Espe
Songs in Grey's Anatomy & The Voice · campaigns for Target & Honda.
Andrew Petroff
Co-wrote on Lainey Wilson's 2024 Grammy-winning album · Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks.
Questions, answered
What is Songwriter U?
Songwriter U is American Songwriter's online school for songwriters — a set of guided, live courses that build on each other so you can keep growing at the right level, from your first finished song to writing in professional co-writing rooms.
Which course should I start with?
If you're new or have written only a handful of songs, start with Foundations. Writers comfortable with the fundamentals who want to sharpen lyrics will want Skill Lab: Lyrics, and experienced writers ready to collaborate belong in Co-Writing Rooms. Foundations is open now; the other two are coming soon.
Can I take more than one course?
Yes — the courses are designed as a path. Many writers move from Foundations into the Skill Labs and then into Co-Writing Rooms as they grow.
Are the courses live, self-paced, or both?
Both. Each course pairs guided lessons you can work through on your schedule with weekly live sessions for real-time learning, feedback, and community.
How do I know if I'm ready for Skill Lab: Lyrics?
You're ready if you can write lyrics and melodies, finish a draft, and bring unfinished work into a workshop for feedback. Completing Foundations also prepares you well.
How do I know if I'm ready for Co-Writing Rooms?
It's for writers who already finish songs independently, understand song structure, and can contribute ideas in real time. Enrollment may be curated to build balanced co-writing rooms.
Do I need to play an instrument?
It helps, but it isn't required. You'll learn the craft of songwriting and can apply it on guitar, piano, or with simple tools.
Student Testimonials
Find Your Path
Every songwriter’s path looks different. Songwriter U is built to meet you at your current stage, whether you’re starting from scratch, sharpening a specific skill, or pursuing a career in songwriting. Find the course that’s right for you, and begin the path to writing better songs!
Find your path below, and choose a course that’s right for you…
Beginner
Beginner Courses are for new and early songwriters who want a step-by-step path from idea to completed song. These courses are for those who are just starting. Zero songwriting experience is required to succeed.
Best For: Total beginners, 0-5 songs written or composed, no courses taken
Course(s): Foundations
Intermediate
Intermediate Courses are focused skill labs for writers who have already written some songs, lyrics, or drafts and want to dig deeper to improve their craft in specific creative areas. Some songwriting experience is expected for success.
Best For: Intermediate writers, 5-35 songs written or composed, Foundations graduates
Course(s): ASW Skill Labs: Lyrics
Advanced
Advanced Courses are applied songwriting experiences for experienced writers ready for feedback, collaboration, and more advanced creative environments. Writers are expected to have ample experience in writing songs in creative environments.
Best For:Â Advanced writers, 40-100 songs written or composed, Advanced Lab graduates
Course(s): Songwriter U: Co-Writing Rooms
Courses
From learning the fundamentals to sharpening advanced skills, Songwriter U gives writers a clear path forward. Explore courses designed for different experience levels, creative goals, and areas of songwriting focus.
Start where you are. Keep building from there.
8 Weeks | 8 Modules | 8 Live Sessions
Foundations
Beginner-Level
Learn the basics of songwriting from professional songwriters. Whether it’s your first song or you just need some structure, Foundations takes students from blank page to pro demo of their original song.
Time Commitment: 2-4 hours / week
Beginner
$999.99 USD
4 Weeks | 4 Modules | 4 Live Sessions
Skill Lab: Lyrics
Intermediate-Level
Dig deeper into lyric writing and get real feedback on how to improve your lyrics & writing process. With tailored workshops & exercises, every student leaves with advanced lyric feedback.
Time Commitment: 3-5 hours / week
Intermediate
$499.99 USD
4 Weeks | 4 Modules | 4 Live Sessions
Co-Writing Rooms
Advanced-Level
Have you written songs and are ready to start collaborating?Â
Learn how real industry co-writes happen and leave with a real co-written song.
Time Commitment: 4-6 hours / week
Advanced
$499.99 USD
Guests & Instructors
Songwriter U isn’t a masterclass… or a set of asynchronous modules… It’s a chance to learn from real hit songwriters. Learn the processes, the tools, and the secrets that allow the industry’s biggest writers to shine. Every course is designed and led by writers, for writers. Here are a few of the guests who help lead our courses:
Frequently asked questions
If you’re still deciding whether or not Songwriter U is right for you, you’re probably wondering how it all works. Here’s everything you need to know before beginning your enrollment process.
Have any additional questions? Reach out to us directly below.Â
Songwriter U is American Songwriter’s online education platform for songwriters, offering courses, labs, and guided learning experiences designed to help writers build their craft, finish songs, and continue developing at the right level.
Anyone (18 and older) can enroll in a Songwriter U course! Simply choose the course that best fits your experience level. See ‘Find Your Path’ to decide what’s right for you.
If you’re new to songwriting or have never finished a song, start with Foundations. If you’ve already written songs or serious drafts, you may be ready for a focused lab like ASW Skill Labs: Lyrics. If you’ve written songs and are comfortable sharing work and collaborating with others, a course like Co-Writing Rooms may be a better fit.
Songwriter U courses combine structured online materials with live, guided sessions. Students receive weekly course materials, assignments, exercises, and live instruction + feedback opportunities throughout the program.
Yes. Songwriter U is designed as a pathway. Many students may start with Foundations, continue into a focused skill lab, and later explore more advanced collaborative or career-focused courses.Â
ASW Skill Labs are designed for writers who have already written lyrics, songs, or serious drafts and want to improve their lyrics writing through focused feedback, rewriting, and revision. You do not need to be a professional songwriter, but you should be comfortable sharing drafts and working on existing material.
Co-Writing Rooms is designed for writers with prior songwriting experience who are ready to work in a more collaborative setting. You should be comfortable bringing ideas to the group, participating in live discussion, giving and receiving feedback, and developing songs with other writers.
Not at all. You don’t need to play an instrument to be a songwriter. Songwriter U gives you the tools and guidance to develop strong ideas, lyrics, melodies, and stories no matter your skillset.
Each course has a clear outcome. Foundations helps students complete an original song and demo. Skill Labs focus on stronger lyrics, melodies, or finished songs. Career-style courses help students apply their writing in more collaborative or industry-style settings.
