Songwriting
The Songwriting Department offers a Bachelor of Music in songwriting. Students majoring in songwriting master melody, harmony, arranging, and lyric writing to build a competitive portfolio of original songs. Studying songwriting at Berklee, you will focus on melody writing, harmonic techniques, and lyric structure as you develop your unique musical identity with insight and guidance from the best contemporary songwriting faculty in the world. The curriculum also emphasizes modern writing practices like collaboration and production as well as performance and career paths. If you have something to say with your music, Berklee's Songwriting Department is the place to learn how to express yourself with the utmost musical and lyrical poignancy and impact.
Beyond the classroom, Berklee's Songwriting Department runs an annual industry trip to the heart of the recording industry in Nashville, Tennessee. Students have the opportunity to meet professional songwriters, music industry professionals, and representatives from various songwriting associations.
Performing songwriters have ample opportunity to play at assorted open mic nights, Battle of the Bands events, and more. We invite you to explore this site for more information, or email us at songwriting@berklee.edu.
Faculty
Songwriting faculty at Berklee have worked with students who go on to compose for major artists and write hit songs. They deliver curriculum for the only songwriting major in the country. Explore faculty profiles.
"[John Mayer] told me to buy this book called Writing Better Lyrics by Pat Pattison...and that book really changed my life."-Ross Copperman (20 No. 1 Country Radio Hits)
Alumni and Careers
Graduates of this program work in a wide range of careers. Meet some of the graduates from the songwriting program.
Featured News
Amy Allen Scores No. 1 Hit with Halsey's 'Without Me'
The songwriting alumna also cowrote songs for Selena Gomez and Shawn Mendes in 2018.
PODCAST: Student Dom Jones Tells Her Story Through Spoken-Word Album
In this episode of Sounds of Berklee, we’ll be listening to “I Do This,” a song in which student Dom Jones pays tribute to a long list of people who keep her motivated. Jones will be playing at the Haymarket Lounge in City Winery, Boston, on April 14.
Press Hit
Vox: Radiohead’s Secret Rhythm
Erin Barra decodes Radiohead's deceptively complex "Videotape."