Professional Songwriting Course Nashville
Capitalize on Your Creative Talent in This 15-Week Commercial Songwriting Program
The 15-week Commercial Songwriting Program at Dark Horse Institute offers an incredible exploration of the art of songwriting, with an emphasis on writing hit songs.
Get the expert guidance, studio experience and creative collaborative opportunities to take your unique musical gifts to the next level professionally.
Personalized Mentorship
Classes are deliberately kept small to ensure you receive personalized attention and support throughout your program. You’ll pick up new skills quickly with so much direct support from industry experts passionate about helping motivated new professionals get ahead.
Hands-On Practical Experience
In addition to the opportunity to collaborate with working music professionals, as a student in this songwriting program in Nashville you’ll record songs at Dark Horse Studios where artists like Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line, Matchbox Twenty, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Alice In Chains and countless others have recorded their music.
Instruction from Working Industry Experts
You’ll learn directly from experienced music industry professionals passionate about helping motivated individuals get ahead. Your instructors will share their hard-won tips, tricks, and tools of the trade with you firsthand.
Make Valuable Connections
The collaboration between Commercial Songwriting, Audio Engineering and Music Business students and our location in Music City provides unparalleled opportunities for networking and industry engagement.
Capitalize on Your Creative Talent in This 15-Week Commercial Songwriting Program
The 15-week Commercial Songwriting Program at Dark Horse Institute offers an incredible exploration of the art of songwriting, with an emphasis on writing hit songs.
Get the expert guidance, studio experience and creative collaborative opportunities to take your unique musical gifts to the next level professionally.
Personalized Mentorship
Classes are deliberately kept small to ensure you receive personalized attention and support throughout your program. You’ll pick up new skills quickly with so much direct support from industry experts passionate about helping motivated new professionals get ahead.
Hands-On Practical Experience
In addition to the opportunity to collaborate with working music professionals, as a student in this songwriting program in Nashville you’ll record songs at Dark Horse Studios where artists like Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line, Matchbox Twenty, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Alice In Chains and countless others have recorded their music.
Instruction from Working Industry Experts
You’ll learn directly from experienced music industry professionals passionate about helping motivated individuals get ahead. Your instructors will share their hard-won tips, tricks, and tools of the trade with you firsthand.
Make Valuable Connections
The collaboration between Commercial Songwriting, Audio Engineering and Music Business students and our location in Music City provides unparalleled opportunities for networking and industry engagement.
You'll Learn
This professional songwriting course is a 15-week, 375-hour program divided into 14 courses and Real-World Projects. You’ll work through the concepts of music theory, MIDI production and beat making, song structure, rhyming schemes, writing powerful lyrics, studying hit songwriting and production trends, writing and producing sync music for TV/film, and writing for and with other artists.
Courses include:
- Intro to Music Publishing
- Music Theory Basics
- Journey of a Song
- Writing Lyrics
- Composition
- Tapping Creativity
- Melody Techniques
- Re-Writing
- Inside Music Publishing
- Recording Demos
- Pitching Portfolios
- Final Project: Sync Camp
- Final Project: Artist Writing Retreat
- Final Project: Demo Recording
Discover some of the hundreds of insights and practical skills you’ll learn while studying Commercial Songwriting
- Storytelling Through Song
- Intro to Song Craft
- How Listeners Perceive Songs
- What Makes a Successful Song
- Critical Listening
- Song Structure
- Musical Composition
- Melody and Harmony Relationships
- Pitch and Rhythm
- Melodic Placement
- Execution of a Lead Vocal
- Song Title Identification
- Song Length and Duration
- Mapping a Song
- Lyrical Phrasing
- Prosody
- Creating Metaphors
- Avoiding Cliches
- Songwriting Strategy
- Chord Relation to Melody
- Marketing Your Music
- Presenting Your Music
- Taking Advantage of Opportunities
- Develop a Personal Portfolio
- Display Your Writing Skills
- How to Monetize Your Songwriting Skills
- Collaborations
- Basics of Pro Tools
- Digital Recording
- Music Editing
- Pitching Your Song
- Chord Relation to Harmony
- Chord Relation to Base
- Tapping into deeper creative Levels
- Creative Writing
- Habits of Successful Writers
- Constructing Full Length Songs
- Writing Genre Specific Songs
- Co-Writing
- Create a Fan Base Online
- Which Social Media is the best
- YouTube Strategy
- Facebook Strategy
- Twitter Strategy
- Soundcloud
- Other Music Streaming Sites
You’ll also train to take advantage of networking via social media and the ever-evolving platforms that will help you get your music the exposure it deserves.
Get an Inside Look at DHI's Commercial Songwriting Program
Writing Camp
As your final project, you’ll take part in a collaborative writing camp which is how many of the hit songs on the radio are created. You’ll get the experience of learning to be intentional and universal in your writing
Get a Professional Foundation
You’ll feel confident and prepared to pursue your creative and professional goals when you exit this program with a professional portfolio of recorded songs you have written or co-written. These materials will help to prove to potential employers you have the know-how AND the practical, hands-on experience it takes to succeed.
Is a Career in Commercial Songwriting Right for You? Find Out!
This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.
Career Opportunities
There are a variety of exciting and rewarding career paths you can explore with your new Commercial Songwriting skills.
Film, Video & TV
- Lyricist
- Creative Director
- Advertising
- Video Games
Publishing
- Staff Songwriter
- Creative Director
- Song Plugger
- Songwriter/Producer
Performance
- Touring Musician
- Performing Songwriter
- Church & Worship
- Studio Musician
Learn From Leaders in the Industry
All DHI instructors are leading practitioners with years of experience in their field. Take a look at some of the incredible talent that guides this program and their incredible contributions to the industry.
Visit our team page to learn more.
P.G. BANKER
With over 1,000 placements on more than 100 different TV shows, P.G.'s compositions have been licensed on networks such as Fox Sports, CBS, NFL Network, CNBC, MTV, VH1 and Bravo among others. P.G. is passionate about writing music and inspiring others to create their own success!
Jay Brunswick
Jay has over 150 accredited major and independent label cuts on his songwriting resume. His songs can also be found on albums from Scotty McCreery, Parmalee, Chris Janson, Granger Smith, Colt Ford, Josh Thompson, Clay Walker, Daryl Worley, and pop icon Russell Hitchcock, from pop super-group Air Supply, amongst many others.
Deepen Your Knowledge & Enhance Your Potential
As a graduate of the Commercial Songwriting program, not only will you have the experience and confidence to bring your songwriting visions to life, you’ll also be eligible for tuition discounts on other DHI programs.
Around 80% of DHI students ultimately take all three programs – Audio Engineering, Music Business and Songwriting and Composition. Learn the ins-and-outs of the music business, gain professional audio engineering skills or both! Combine your interests and strengthen your natural talents.
Get the ongoing support and expert, multi-disciplinary training it takes to become a well-rounded music professional and take your career potential to the next level.
See It For Yourself - Book a Tour
One of the best ways to see if the creative, collaborative and professional environment at Dark Horse Institute is right for you is to come and experience it firsthand. Tours include an explanation of our audio program and curriculum, a video history of the school and a tour of both the Dark Horse Recording Studios and Dark Horse Institute campus. If you visit in the morning you may also have the opportunity to sit in on a class.
On-Campus & Virtual Appointments Available. Book a tour today!
Is Professional Commercial Songwriting Training Right for You? Find Out!
Fill out the form on this page and take the next step toward your rewarding future in the music and entertainment industry. You’ll get more information on all that DHI has to offer and a friendly and knowledgeable Admissions Adviser can help you to explore if creative professional songwriting & composition training is right for you.
To speak with an Admissions Adviser right away, give us a call at 1-615-791-7020.
Canyon Morse has been fulfilling his dream of working in the music industry doing guitar tech and monitor mixing for Chris Janson and Sam Barber. When he’s not on the road touring, he is creating music with his band The Dirge Effect and recording independent artists in the Nashville area. “This class really laid a good foundation for me as an audio engineer; it taught me what to look for in troubleshooting and making sure that our client was our first priority. Dark Horse will always be the place I remember as a great beginning point because it was so hands-on.”
Emma is working full-time at Clair Global
(perhaps the largest live production company in the world)
as a rehearsal technician. This has given her the opportunity
to work with Greta Van Fleet, Blessing Offor, and Tucker
Whitmore to name a few.
“After taking Music Business, Audio Engineering and
Songwriting classes I now understand how the music industry
really works. My teachers were amazing.”
Massimo is a drummer, vocalist, audio engineer, and producer currently at The Franklin Theatre and The Ryman Auditorium as a live sound engineer. He has worked on several projects with Declan Weir Productions, Stonebrook Media, and with many independent artists on the road and in the studio. “It was a bit of a reality check to get a good grasp on the business side of things. It was so great getting to learn more about audio techniques. I knew a little coming in, but this really expanded on what I want to do and the course was great.”
Crystal has been working in the music industry for over 10+ years as an audio engineer, producer, marketing, and one on one coaching with artists. She has worked with artists such as Mick Mars (Motley Crue), MercyMe and many others. Currently she runs Edge 3 Marketing working with artists and clients. “DHI gave me the tools and knowledge I needed to be able to feel comfortable in any studio session. I was able to start working within two weeks!”
Board Operator at WKQR Radio Portland, TN. “I’ve gone through all three programs at Dark Horse and made some great connections along the way! The atmosphere is inspiring, and they allow you to come in and use their studios at the school for free. It’s incredible!”
