About this class

Songwriting is a structured course in the craft of writing songs, designed for learners who want to turn ideas, experiences, and feelings into finished pieces of music. The course treats songwriting as a set of skills that can be learned and practiced: writing lyrics, shaping a melody, choosing chords, and arranging the parts of a song so that they work together.

Instruction combines close listening with hands-on writing. Each week introduces one element of the craft, studies how working songwriters use it, and then turns to applied practice, with learners writing, sharing, and revising their own material. By the end of the term, each learner will have completed at least one original song from first idea to final draft.

What you’ll learn

By the end of the term, learners will be able to:

Identify the parts of a song, including verse, chorus, bridge, and hook, and explain what each one does
Write lyrics that use rhyme, rhythm, imagery, and point of view with intention
Build a melody that fits a lyric and stays in a singable range
Choose and combine basic chords to support a melody
Revise a draft using feedback from peers and the instructor
Give specific, constructive feedback on another writer's work
Present a finished original song to the group

Topics covered

Song structure: verse, chorus, bridge, pre-chorus, and hook
Finding ideas: titles, images, memories, and writing from prompts
Lyric writing: rhyme schemes, syllable count, rhythm, and word choice
Melody: contour, repetition, range, and matching melody to mood
Harmony basics: major and minor chords and common progressions
Rhythm and tempo: how the feel of a song shapes its meaning
Revision: cutting, rewriting, and strengthening a draft
Collaboration: co-writing and giving and receiving feedback
Sharing your work: preparing and presenting a finished song

How the class works

The course follows a workshop model. Most sessions open with a listening study of one or two songs, move into a short lesson on the week's skill, and spend the rest of the time writing and sharing. Learners keep a songwriting notebook across the term and bring drafts back each week for revision. Feedback is structured so that every writer hears what is working and one or two things to try next.

Who it’s for

For anyone who wants to learn how songs are made and to write their own. No prior musical training is required, and learners do not need to play an instrument or read music.

When it meets

Tuesdays, 10:00am – 12:00pm, at 1350 6th Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10019.

January

4 sessions

January 5
January 12
January 19
January 26

February

4 sessions

February 2
February 9
February 16
February 23

March

5 sessions

March 2
March 9
March 16
March 23
March 30

April

4 sessions

April 6
April 13
April 20
April 27

Register by month

Registration is by the month at $95 per session. Join any month: you don’t have to commit to the whole term, and you’re welcome to start later than January.

January 2027
4 sessions · $380
February 2027
4 sessions · $380
March 2027
5 sessions · $475
April 2027
4 sessions · $380

All 4 months come to $1,615.

Enroll for this class

Pick any months you want on the enrollment page and pay once. Payment is handled securely by Stripe. Trouble checking out? Email hello@thegrovenyc.org.

Classes at The Grove are non-credit, personal-enrichment programs offered by Big Apple Coaching LLC. Participation does not confer academic credit, professional certification, or licensure.