Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies Course - Berklee Online

Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies Course - Berklee Online
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What is Berklee Online?
Berklee Online is the online school of Berklee College of Music, delivering access to Berklee’s acclaimed curriculum from anywhere in the world. We are the world’s largest online music school—30,000+ musicians from more than 140 countries have taken our courses—but classes cap at just 20 students per section.
What does Berklee Online offer?
We offer award-winning
online courses
multi-course certificate programs
, a
Bachelor of Arts degree, a Master of Music degree, and a Master of Arts degree
Who is Berklee Online designed for?
Our programs provide lifelong learning opportunities to people interested in music and working in the music industry. The courses range from beginner to advanced graduate level.
What kind of subjects are taught?
Berklee Online offers more than 200 courses in every musical interest area: Everything from instruction on specific instruments (guitar, piano, bass, drums, voice) to music production software (Ableton, Pro Tools, Logic, and more) to larger concepts in music business, songwriting, theory, and composing for film, TV, and games
Do online students receive the benefits of an on-campus Berklee education?
Absolutely! Just like the students studying on Berklee’s Boston campus, Berklee Online students receive instruction from the same world-renowned faculty, with the added benefit of having music industry professionals from around the world teaching as well. You’ll also receive guidance from Berklee-trained Academic Advisors, and have the opportunity to walk at the Commencement ceremony in Boston with your cohort of graduates who studied online and in-person.
Admissions
What is the process to apply for/enroll in a Berklee Online program or course?
Certificate programs and online courses are offered on an open enrollment basis. Simply complete the online enrollment form and provide payment prior to the course start date and you’re ready to go! Degree programs require an application and supporting documentation. See the
Admission Requirements
for more details.
Will I receive a Berklee ID and/or email address?
Berklee Online degree students are eligible to request a Berklee ID. Upon acceptance into the program, degree students are also given a berklee.edu email address.
Courses
Can I take non-credit courses in a certificate?
All courses in a certificate program must be taken for credit.
Can I waive some for-credit courses into a certificate?
Students must enroll in a certificate by paying the $175 certificate registration fee prior to completing the final course in the program. All for-credit courses that have been awarded a passing grade and that align with a certificate program may transfer into that program.
Can I upgrade from a lower-level certificate to a higher-level certificate?
Yes! Berklee Online offers two certificate options:
CHANGE CERTIFICATE: When a student wants to change their lower-level certificate to a higher-level certificate (or vice versa) prior to the completion of the program. There are no additional fees for this option other than the cost of additional courses, and you will only earn one certificate upon completion.
STARTING A NEW CERTIFICATE: When a student wants to earn more than one certificate by having the courses from their lower-level certificate waived into a higher-level certificate. In this case, an additional $175 registration fee is required.
Instructors
Who teaches Berklee Online courses?
Berklee faculty and seasoned professionals teach our courses. Our instructors are recognized experts in their respective fields—they’ve produced and engineered hundreds of artists and numerous award-winning projects, and several of their students have gone on to earn GRAMMY Award nominations.
Financial Aid
Am I eligible for financial aid?
Financial assistance is available for Berklee Online degree programs. This assistance may come from a variety of sources including federal awards, outside scholarships, and private loans.
Federal financial aid is not available for non-degree programs. Non-degree students typically finance their costs out-of-pocket or with a private loan. Review our payment options.
Graduation
What happens if I turn in my graduation application late? Do I still need to apply by December 1 even if I don’t want to walk in the Commencement ceremony?
Because we must coordinate with the Boston campus for Commencement, it is essential that students planning to walk in the ceremony submit their graduation application by 12:00 midnight ET on December 1. If you submit your application late, you will need to wait until the following year to walk.
We ask all students planning to graduate within the current academic year to apply for graduation by December 1, regardless of their plans to participate in Commencement. Late application for students who do not wish to walk will result in processing delays for your academic record and diploma, and your name may not be listed in the ceremony program.
What’s the difference between graduating and walking in Commencement?
Great question! Walking in Commencement and graduating are two separate things.
You can walk in Commencement when you are nine (9) credits or less away from completing your degree requirements by the end of the spring term. Please note: Berklee Online degree students are not required to walk in Commencement in Boston.
You graduate when you have met all of the following criteria:
Attained at least a 2.70 cumulative GPA in concentrate courses
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00
Fulfilled all program requirements AND completed a minimum of 120 credits for a single major or 165 for a dual major
Completed a minimum of 60 institutional credits for a single major or 105 institutional credits for a dual major
Fulfilled all financial obligations to the college
Note
Walking across the stage in Commencement
does not
mean that you have graduated. You will not officially graduate and receive your diploma until you meet all of the eligibility requirements.
I just finished my last term at Berklee Online! What happens next? Is there anything I need to do?
Congratulations on finishing! If you have already filled out a graduation application, you will want to double-check the "
Graduation Checklist
" to ensure you have taken care of all of the various items associated with graduating. If you have not filled out a graduation application, you will need to do that as soon as possible. You will not be able to graduate until we have received and processed your graduation application.
When will I get my diploma?
You will receive your diploma within 6-8 weeks of completing your degree requirements. Please keep in mind that instructors have up to two (2) weeks to submit final grades after the term concludes.
Diplomas are mailed to the address you include on your graduation application. If your mailing address changes after you have submitted your graduation application, be sure to update us at
graduation@online.berklee.edu
Keep in mind that if you are walking in Commencement, you will not receive your official diploma at the ceremony.
Transfer Credits
Can I find out how many transfer credits I am eligible for before I apply to the degree program?
If you are interested in applying to the Bachelor of Arts degree program and would like an estimate of the amount of transfer credit you would receive, you can request an unofficial transfer evaluation by emailing a copy of your transcript(s) to the Berklee Online Transfer Team at
transfer@online.berklee.edu
. Be sure to include your name, major of interest, and any additional questions you may have. You can expect to receive your assessment within 7-10 business days.
I didn’t receive credit on my Official Evaluation for all of the courses that I thought I would. What should I do?
The earlier you contact us with questions or concerns regarding your evaluation, the easier it will be for us to address any issues. Therefore, it is very important when you first receive your official transfer evaluation that you review the information carefully.
If you notice a remaining requirement that you believe you’ve already fulfilled, first consult our document on Common Reasons Credit Does Not Transfer. It’s possible that the course you are thinking of didn’t meet our eligibility requirements.
If none of those exclusions apply, please fill out a Transfer Credit Equivalency Re-evaluation form for the courses you wish to have reconsidered.
Sometimes, we are not able to locate specific information for a course online and we are not able to determine an equivalency, but we are always happy to review additional material which will help us make that determination.
Do my Berklee Online, Berklee campus, or Prior Learning Credit coursework count towards the 60 transfer credit limit?
No, credits completed at Berklee or through the prior learning process do not count towards the 60 transfer credit limit. This maximum is for credit-bearing exams and undergraduate-level coursework completed externally.
What is a credit deficiency and why do I need to make up credit?
Credit deficiencies are caused by transferring a course that is less than three (3) credits to fulfill a three (3) credit Berklee Online requirement. Students with a credit deficiency will be short of the minimum number of credits required to graduate once they have completed their program requirements. In order to be eligible to graduate, you will need to make up the credits you are deficient in.
While the Transfer Team does their best to avoid giving students credit deficiencies, it is not always possible. You can make up the credits you are deficient in by completing additional Berklee Online coursework, by applying for prior learning credit, or by completing additional external coursework in the area in which you are deficient.
Note
all external courses will first need to be approved by the Transfer Team.
Can transfer credit fulfill prerequisites?
It depends. Generally, transfer credit cannot be used to fulfill prerequisites unless we determine that the course you completed is a direct equivalent to one of the courses we offer at Berklee Online. Keep in mind that there are some courses which require you to pass a placement exam. For these you will need to achieve a passing grade on the test to fulfill the prerequisite, otherwise you will need to complete the appropriate Berklee Online course.
Can I transfer credits to Berklee Online after I have started the degree program?
Yes, you can. To determine if the coursework you already completed or are considering taking is eligible to fulfill your remaining degree requirements, contact the Transfer Team at
transfer@online.berklee.edu
I am a Berklee campus student. Can I transfer courses from Berklee Online to my campus-based program?
View a
list of transferable courses
to Berklee’s campus programs.
For additional questions about transferring courses from Berklee Online to Berklee's campus programs please contact the campus transcript evaluator at
transfercredits@berklee.edu
Are Berklee Online courses transferable to other institutions?
Berklee Online is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), the same association that accredits our main campus and other leading academic institutions such as Harvard University and MIT. Our courses are transferable to other institutions, but it's up to the receiving institution to decide the number and types of courses that may transfer. We recommend getting a course pre-approved by an institution before enrolling.
Tuition
How do Berklee Online’s costs compare to other education options?
Berklee Online’s programs have a tuition cost that is approximately 64 percent less than on-campus tuition at Berklee’s Boston campus. Moreover, a recent study revealed that the average annual tuition at for-profit colleges is more than twice as expensive as Berklee Online. Even average annual tuition at other accredited non-profit online universities is roughly $11,000 more expensive than tuition for a year with Berklee Online!
How much does a
certificate program
cost?
There is a one time $175 registration fee per certificate program. Students may either pay per course term (at the $1,575.00 per credit course cost) or pay in full to receive a 10 percent discount. The registration fee and all courses for the term you wish to begin in must be paid in full in order to begin.
How much does an online
Bachelor’s degree
cost?
Online undergraduate degree tuition is $59,160 for 120 credits for all majors except the guitar major. Tuition for the guitar major is $63,660. Students taking 10 courses per year can complete the degree in four years at a cost of $14,790 per year. (Note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.)
How much does an online
master's degree
cost?
Online graduate degree tuition is $33,120 for 36 credits. The Master of Music in Music Production and Master of Arts in Music Business programs are designed to be completed in one year of study. Both programs are comprised of 12 three-credit courses that can be taken during four 12-week semesters.
What is included in the cost of a course?
The cost for an individual course includes the tuition fee. The cost of required books, hardware or software must be purchased separately, unless it is stated that these costs are included with your enrollment. Some courses may include additional fees for files or content.
Online Undergraduate-Level Course
Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies
Authored
by
Pat Pattison
Course Code:
OSONG-220
Improve your lyric writing by learning the proven techniques that award-winning songwriters use. This undergraduate songwriting course focuses on idea generation, word choice, rhyme, rhythm, and song structure, helping you craft vivid verses, choruses, and bridges, and turn strong lyrical ideas into complete, compelling songs.
Level 2
Intermediate
Modality
Online
Duration
12 Weeks
3-Credit Tuition
$1,575
$1,275
Save $300 until Jun 8!
Semester Starts
June 29
Accreditation
NECHE
Key Learning Outcomes
Generate strong lyrical ideas for songwriting using structured brainstorming and object-writing techniques
Craft effective rhyme, rhythm, and line-length patterns to create forward motion within lyric sections
Create contrast between verses, choruses, and bridges in your songs through deliberate control of structure and prosody
Use lyric section structure to support and enhance emotional intent
Overview
Syllabus
Requirements
Instructors
Related Music Career Roles
Request Info
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Int'l: +1-617-747-2146
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Course Description
Sharpen your lyric writing skills and discover the techniques that have helped Pat Pattison's students win Grammys and write number one songs. In
Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies
, you'll learn how to generate better ideas, find the right words to express those ideas, and organize rhythms and rhymes into compelling verses, choruses and bridges. Craft more vivid lyrics by mastering the elements of structure and the process of building great lyrical ideas into great songs. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned writer, this course will help you brainstorm ideas more freely and structure your lyrics more effectively.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Select vivid and precise word choices to express lyrical ideas clearly
Apply balancing and unbalancing techniques using line count and line length
Use metaphor, assonance, consonance, and family rhyme to add depth and cohesion
Revise lyric drafts by applying rhythmic, rhyming, and structural techniques introduced throughout the course
Read Less
Syllabus
Lesson 1: Brainstorming: Object Writing
Object Writing
Object Writing Samples
Daily Object Writing Activities
Write a Lyric
Lesson 2: Balancing: Number of Lines
Daily Object Writing Activities
Daily Balanced Section Writing Activities
Lesson 3: Unbalancing: Number of Lines; Fundamentals of Rhyme
Daily Object Writing Activities
Daily Unbalanced Section Writing Activities
Lesson 4: Brainstorming: Worksheets
Balancing and Unbalancing with Number of Lines: Moving One Section into Another
Daily Object Writing Activities
Write Two Sections--Balanced to Balanced
Lesson 5: Line Length; Family Rhyme
Stressed Syllables
Family Rhyme
Daily Object Writing Activities
Complete a Worksheet and Write a Lyric
Lesson 6: Balancing and Unbalancing with Line Length; Additive and Subtractive Rhyme
Balancing and Unbalancing with Line Length
Playing with Line Lengths
Additive and Subtractive Rhyme
Daily Object Writing Activities
Daily Section Writing Activities
Write a Lyric
Lesson 7: Contrasting Sections Using Line Lengths; Assonance Rhyme
Contrasting Sections
Assonance Rhyme
Prosody of Rhyme
Daily Object Writing Activities
Write a Section with Assonance Rhyme
Write a Contrasting Section
Lesson 8: Line Lengths and Rhythm; Consonance Rhyme
Match Words to da DUM Patterns
Match the Rhythm of a Line
Create a Verse
Lines of Different Length
Consonance Rhyme
Daily Object Writing Activities
Find Uses of Consonance Rhyme
Write a Lyric
Lesson 9: Rhythm and Variation; Metaphor
Rhythm and Variation
Use Rhythmic Variation
Match the Rhythm
Metaphor
Daily Object Writing Activities
Daily Metaphor Writing Activities
Complete Writing Better Lyrics Exercise
Create Accidental Collisions
Lesson 10: Creating Sections with Rhythm; More on Metaphor
Couplets
Create a Section with Couplets
Varying Line Length--Common Meter and Beyond
Create a Section of Common Meter
Finish a Section
Find Metaphors
Daily Object Writing Activities
Revise Two Sections Using Common Meter and Couplets
Create Metaphors
Lesson 11: Rhyme Structure
Rhyme Structure
Notating Rhyme Schemes
Creating Forward Motion with Rhyme
Balancing (Resolving) with Rhyme
Accelerating and Slowing Down with Rhyme
Controlling Flow with Rhyme
Defining the End of Sections with Rhyme
Write a Section
Types of Closure
Using Basic Rhyme Paradigms
Daily Object Writing Activities
Write a Lyric
Lesson 12: The Grand Finale
Putting the Pieces Together
Recap
What Lies Ahead?
Object Writing Activity
Requirements
Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements
Prerequisite Courses, Knowledge, and/or Skills
This course does not have any prerequisites.
Textbook(s)
Writing Better Lyrics (2nd Edition)
by Pat Pattison (Writer's Digest Books, 2010)
Songwriting: Essential Guide to Lyric Form and Structure
by Pat Pattison (Berklee Press, 2002)
Songwriting: Essential Guide to Rhyming (2nd Edition)
by Pat Pattison (Berklee Press, 2014)
Student Deals
After enrolling, be sure to check out our
Student Deals
page for various offers on software, hardware, and more. Please contact
support@online.berklee.edu
with any questions.
General Course Requirements
Below are the minimum requirements to access the course environment and participate in Live Classes.
Please make sure to also check the Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements section above, and ensure your computer meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements for all software needed for your course.
Mac Users
macOS Monterey 12.0 or later
PC Users
Windows 11 or later
All Users
Latest version of
Google Chrome
Zoom meeting software
Webcam
Speakers or headphones
External or internal microphone
Broadband Internet connection
Instructors
Pat Pattison
Author
Pat Pattison is a professor at Berklee College of Music, where he teaches lyric writing and poetry. In addition to his four books,
Songwriting Without Boundaries
(Penguin/Random House),
Writing Better Lyrics, 2nd Edition
(Penguin/Random House),
The Essential Guide to Lyric Form and Structure
(Hal Leonard), and
The Essential Guide to Rhyming
(Hal Leonard), Pat has developed several online courses for Berklee Online. He has written more than 50 articles for various blogs and magazines, including
American Songwriter
, and has chapters in both
The Poetics of American Song Lyrics
(University Press of Mississippi) and
The Handbook on Creative Writing
(Edinburgh University Press).
Pat continues to present songwriting clinics across the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. His students include Grammy-winners, professional songwriters, and major recording artists, including Gillian Welch, John Mayer, Tom Hambridge, Joelle James, Karmin, American Authors, Ingrid Andress, Liz Longley, Charlie Worsham, Greg Becker, Justin Tranter, and many more.
For Berklee Online, Pat has authored the following courses:
Lyric Writing: Writing From the Title
Lyric Writing: Writing Lyrics to Music
Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies
Creative Writing: Poetry
, and
Creative Writing: Finding Your Voice
. He also co-authored the graduate course
Songwriting Tools and Techniques
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Sachi Rodriguez
Instructor
Sachi Rodriguez is a professor at Berklee College of Music in the Songwriting Department, where she teaches not only songwriting, but lyric writing and music production as well. She also teaches at Berklee Online, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, and runs masterclasses at several other institutions. In her professional career, she writes and produces music within the top 40 pop and dance spaces; on top of landing sync placements in film/TV such as
90 Day Fiancé
Below Deck
, and
Vanderpump Rules
Chad Shank
Instructor
Chad Shank is an accomplished songwriter, music producer, and instructor
with over 30 years of experience in the music industry. His passion for
music has led him to write thousands of songs and work with various
artists and songwriters in different genres including pop, country,
dance, and hip-hop.
For
over a decade, Chad has been sharing his expertise in songwriting by
teaching online and in community education programs. He has also served
as Education Director for the Minnesota Association of Songwriters,
where he has developed and organized songwriting workshops, lectures,
and seminars.
In 2021, Chad started his own YouTube Channel,
At-Home Songwriting, where he shares tips, insights, and tutorials on
the craft of songwriting. He leads monthly workshops online with other
songwriters, encouraging them to develop their skills and achieve their
goals.
Chad's songs have been licensed and featured in TV shows
on networks such as HBO, MTV, WE, Fox Business, and Discovery. He has
released over 300 of his songs online on Spotify, Apple Music, and
YouTube, reaching a global audience.
As a dedicated and
passionate instructor, Chad is committed to helping aspiring songwriters
unlock their creative potential and achieve their dreams in the music
industry.
Brian Donovan
Instructor
Brian is a songwriter, guitarist, artist, composer, and music educator.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in Music Production & Engineering from Berklee College Of Music, Brian moved to California and began his career by working with many well known recording artists and companies, such as Barry Manilow, Mickey Rooney, ABC, USA, The CW Network, and Disney.
Since beginning his career, Brian has toured all over the world, edited more audio content than you can imagine, and has been the voice over artist for many brands. He has taught private lessons on several instruments, has served as staff songwriter for a boutique record label, and has released his own personal pop/rock music as well. In addition, he teaches Lyric Writing for Berklee Online, and is an Assistant Professor for students on Berklee’s Boston campus, providing remote instruction for the Independent Recording and Production major.
Now a skilled professional with 25 years experience in all aspects of music creation, Brian writes, performs, records, edits, and mixes music for clients, in many specific genres, through Soundbetter.com. Brian's music has also been nominated for the ISA award "Best Original Score" for his work on the web series,
Stan Lee’s
Sweethearts of the Galaxy
Brian is happily married, and lives with his wife and three children in Southern California.
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What's Next?
When taken for credit, Lyric Writing: Tools and Strategies can be applied towards the completion of these related programs:
Related Certificate Programs
Lyric Writing
Professional Certificate
Songwriting
Advanced Professional Certificate
General Music Studies Professional Certificate
General Music Studies Advanced Professional Certificate
Related Degree Major
Bachelor's Degree in
Songwriting
Related Music Career Roles
Employers look for skills learned in this course, when hiring for the following music career roles:
Lyricist
Musical Theater Adapter
Performing Songwriter
Songwriter-Producer
Staff Writer
Top-Line Songwriter
Questions?
Contact our Academic Advisors by phone at 1-866-BERKLEE (U.S.), 1-617-747-2146 (INT'L), or by email at
advisors@online.berklee.edu
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Text
Credit vs. Non-Credit Information
Which Option Is Right for Me?
Choosing between credit and non-credit options depends on your educational goals. Both options offer the same course experience.
Credit:
Ideal for students aiming to earn college credits toward a degree or certificate.
Non-Credit:
More suitable for students seeking personal growth without pursuing formal academic credit.
During checkout
you can select either credit or non-credit.
Note:
You
cannot change
non-credit courses to credit courses after you complete them.
Credit
Non-Credit
Credits Earned
Yes
No
Graded Assignments
Yes
Yes
Final Grade
Letter Grade
Satisfactory (S) or
Unsatisfactory (U)
Applies Towards
Certificates or Degrees
Yes
No
Note: Completed non-credit courses
cannot
be changed to credit courses.
Please
contact an Academic Advisor
if you have additional questions.
Non-degree students save up to $300 on eligible courses or certificates until May 18.
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