Make Your Own Music

Songwriting Foundations by SongRight is designed to guide you through the steps of writing your very first song, learning about important points of music theory, and developing your own creative process along the way! If you're tired of playing other people's music and ready to start making your own, you're in the right spot. 

Jump In and Start Creating

Songwriting Foundations is made to get students creating right off the bat! If you play guitar or piano and can play basic chords and rhythm, you're ready to start writing. For students that play another instrument, or are just tech-inclined, students can also participate in the class wholly through SoundTrap -  an online music making software that all students get a free license for while in the class.


For this course students will need:

  • A guitar or piano
  • A device with a webcam and microphone
  • Internet access
  • A notebook to write in
  • Their creativity and positive attitude!

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Welcome! - Introductions and Getting Set-Up

    • Welcome to Songwriting Foundations!

    • Tell me about yourself and your goals for this class with this quick survey.

    • Introduce yourself to the class on Flipgrid
  • 2

    Week 1 - Chord Progressions

    • Watch - Writing Chord Progressions

    • Check-in Quiz

    • Exercise - Writing Chord Progressions with SoundTrap
  • 3

    Week 2 - Song Analysis

    • Watch - Song Analysis

    • Check-in Quiz

    • Exercise - Song Analysis Posts
  • 4

    Week 3 - Melodies and Reverse Song Analysis

    • Watch - Writing Melodies

    • Check-in Quiz

    • Exercise - Reverse Song Analysis
  • 5

    Week 4 - Rhyming and Making Song Outlines

    • Watch - Rhyming and Rhyme Schemes

    • Exercise - More ways to create a Song Outline
  • 6

    Week 5 - More Chord Progressions and First Drafts

    • Watch - Writing Advanced Chord Progressions

    • Check-in Quiz

    • Exercise - Making a First Draft
  • 7

    Week 6 - Time Signatures and Revising a Draft

    • Watch - Time Signatures and Counting

    • Check-in Quiz

    • Exercise - Revise your First Draft
  • 8

    Week 7 - Band Checklist and Demos

    • Watch - Working with a Band

    • Check-in Quiz

    • Exercise - Make a Demo!
  • 9

    Week 8 - What's Next??

    • Watch - Fighting Writer's Block

    • Exercise - What do you do with a song once it's finished?

Meet Your Instructor

Course Developer and Instructor

Jacob Harrison

Jake has a decade of experience as a musician, music teacher, and music director. Always motivated by songwriting and composing, he's continually pushed his students to create their own art and find ways to express themselves. He has a Bachelor's degree in Music from the University of Colorado Denver and is working on his Master's in Innovational Education, Technology, and Entrepreneurship at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.