Have you always wanted to write songs but don’t know how to start? Then the Beginner Songwriting course is for you. You’ll learn the basics of songwriting in a fun, supportive community. You’ll be learning fundamental concepts and writing songs from the very first class!
Each class includes an individual exercise to get your creativity flowing, a warm-up exercise, a main lesson based on a fundamental songwriting concept, and a hands-on exercise that will allow you to practice that concept.
Every Beginner Songwriting class has a great atmosphere – it’s a two-hour burst of creativity, collaboration, and fun. You’ll finish the course with a number of fundamental songwriting concepts and the experience and confidence that come from writing a number of songs.
The class meets weekly on Zoom from 7-9pm ET for six weeks.
A basic instrumental ability on either guitar or piano is helpful, but not required. This class is for adults age 18 or older. Younger students are welcome to take private lessons with us.
Beginner Songwriting Courses
We now offer three six-week Beginner courses throughout the year:
- Songwriting for Beginners: Songwriting Basics (January 2026)
- Songwriting for Beginners: Elements of Songwriting (April 2026)
- Songwriting for Beginners: Build Your Toolkit (September 2026)
The three Beginner courses can be completed in any order. All three courses have some basic core content as well as distinct, unique additional concepts to fill out your songwriting fundamentals. Students who take all three Beginner courses come out of it with an extremely solid songwriting toolkit, loads of songwriting experience, and a great foundation to jump into our Original Song Workshop. Our Online Beginner Course also features a guest lecture by a notable professional songwriter.
NEXT COURSE:
Songwriting for Beginners: Elements of Songwriting
Elements of Songwriting introduces songwriters to the fundamental building blocks of writing songs — from structure and form to lyrical craft and melody. You don’t need to play an instrument, read music, or know music theory to take part. This class breaks songwriting down to its essential parts, giving you the tools and confidence to start creating songs of your own.
The class includes:
- Intro to Songwriting
- Rhyme and Other Literary Techniques
- Learning from the Pros
- Special Guest Speaker: The Young Novelists
- Co-Writing
- Feedback on an Original Song
About the Instructor
Classes are taught by Murray Foster. Best known for his roles in the bands Great Big Sea and Moxy Fruvous, he is a Juno-nominated songwriter, producer, and performer with songwriting credits on multiple certified gold and platinum recordings. One of the most notable songwriting instructors in Canada, Murray has taught all levels of songwriters at both Seneca College and the Trebas Institute.
About The Young Novelists
The Young Novelists create contemporary folk songs that marry their effortless harmonies with darkly poetic lyrics and exquisitely crafted hooks. Their fourth album, “These Dark Canyons”, was nominated for a 2026 Juno for Contemporary Roots Album and features blistering takes on systemic misogyny (“Break The Whole Thing Down”), the quiet devastation of assault (“One Of Mine”), an anthem for those finding the strength to speak up (“Raise Our Voices”), and a song about crafting creativity from personal pain (“Into Glory”) to form an album that explores the dark canyons we all experience.
Their music has been described as “a lush-sounding feast” (Penguin Eggs), “unpretentious brilliance” (Exclaim!), and “emotional, melodic music that variously reminds me of the Jayhawks and Richard and Linda Thompson” (No Depression). They won a 2015 Canadian Folk Music Award for New/Emerging Artist, a nomination for Vocal Group of the Year, and have won multiple songwriting awards. They have toured across Canada, the United States, and in Europe, often with their young son in tow. Their signature show features confessional storytelling about their songs and travels, singalongs, and the unique sound of bowed glockenspiel.
Register:
There are no upcoming events
Prefer to pay via e-transfer? Email us at office@torontosongwritingschool.com to arrange payment.
Cancellation policy: We offer the option of a full refund or class credit up until the first class begins. Once the course has started, we can no longer offer a refund.