Essential Songwriting Course
A complete program

Essential Songwriting Course

Three workshops. One complete foundation.

From crafting lyrics that say something true, to understanding harmony, to writing melodies that stay with the listener. The skills every songwriter needs, taught in one coherent program.

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The three workshops

What the course covers

Three workshops, each focused on one core dimension of songwriting.

Workshop 1 of 3
1

Lyrics

3 x 90 min sessions

Finding your voice, writing with intention, and learning to say something true. A focus on clarity, keywords, and the story your song is really trying to tell.

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Workshop 2 of 3
2

Composition

3 x 90 min sessions

Structure, harmony, and the architecture of a song. Intentional decisions about form, chord movement, and the relationship between structure and meaning.

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Workshop 3 of 3
3

Melody

3 x 90 min sessions

Crafting melodic lines that carry emotion and meaning. How melody interacts with lyrics and harmony to create something that stays with the listener.

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Learning outcomes

What you will learn

By the end of the course, you will have a working understanding of each of the following.

Craft compelling lyric narratives How to find your voice, write with clarity, and say what you actually mean through words and story.
Understand how words and melody work together How words sit inside a melody, and why that relationship shapes how a listener feels.
Apply compositional techniques Structure, harmony, and chord movement, and how to use them intentionally to support your song’s mood.
Write standout melodies How to craft melodic lines that carry emotion, interact with your lyrics, and stay with the listener.
Write strong, memorable songs Bring all three dimensions together into songs that are technically grounded and genuinely felt.
Give and receive useful feedback How to talk about songs constructively, both your own and others, in a group setting.
Format

How the course works

Three workshop days, then time to write, then a session to look at what you made, and an informal concert to share it.

Detail What to expect
Structure Three workshops, one per week. Lyrics, composition, melody. Each workshop is a full day of three 90 minute sessions.
The day 10:30 to 15:45, with a lunch break and a short afternoon break.
Between workshops A week to write and apply what you covered, so each day builds on real work rather than notes.
Wrap-up session A 90 minute feedback and evaluation session, two to three weeks after the final workshop.
Closing concert An informal evening shortly after, in a relaxed venue, where you share a song you wrote during the course. Friends and family welcome. You are always invited to play, never required to.
Total teaching time 15 hours across 10 sessions.
Group size 6 to 12 in a group. I also teach the whole course one-on-one, as a private coaching track.
Ways to take it

Prefer to work one-on-one? I also teach the whole course privately, using the same structure as a personal coaching track built around your own songs. Mention it when you book a free call and we will shape it to you.

Prefer a slower pace? The course can also run at one 90 minute session per week instead of full days, which gives you more time to write between sessions. Just ask when you book.

From the Essential Songwriting Course
Melchior Bornhijm
“

I experienced the three-day Essential Songwriting Course as very useful and inspirational, with loads of new inspiration, perspective, exercises, and above all tools to work on my songs and songwriting. A definite recommendation.

Melchior Bornhijm Singer, Songwriter
Institutions and educators

Bringing the ESC to your school

If you are a school, conservatoire, or organisation interested in hosting the Essential Songwriting Course or collaborating on a customised version, get in touch for pricing and partnership details. Extended formats are available, including additional feedback rounds and a larger public concert as part of your own programming.

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Good to know

Questions about the course

  • Do I need to have written songs before?

    No. The course is designed for songwriters at any level. Whether you have written one song or fifty, the workshops meet you where you are and give you tools you can use immediately.

  • Can I take just one workshop instead of all three?

    Yes. Each workshop is a full day and stands alone, so you can take just one. Taking all three together gives you a coherent, connected journey through the full craft of songwriting.

  • Can I do the course one-on-one?

    Yes. I also teach the whole course privately, using the same structure as a personal coaching track built around your own songs and your own pace. It runs as individual sessions rather than in a group. Mention it when you book a free call and we will find the right shape for you.

  • Do I need to read music?

    No. These are not theory classes. You do not need to read music or have formal training. You need curiosity, songs you care about, and a willingness to work.

  • What instrument should I play?

    Any instrument, or none. Voice counts. The workshops are focused on the craft of songwriting, not on any specific instrument or genre.

  • Is there a performance at the end?

    Yes. I close the course with an informal concert where you can share a song you wrote during it. It is a warm, low-pressure evening in a relaxed setting, with friends and family welcome. You are always invited to play and never required to.

  • When is the next course?

    Dates run in small cohorts throughout the year. Get in touch to find out when the next session is, or to register your interest.

  • Is this available online?

    The workshops currently run in person in the Netherlands. Online options may be available on request. Get in touch to talk through what works for you.

Ready to begin

Start writing songs that mean something

Book a free call and we will find the right starting point together.

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