5 Weeks of exercises and lessons that will transform your songwriting!
Are you ready to find your unique voice and write lyrics that move hearts and minds? Whether you’re struggling to find the right words, unsure what to write about, or stuck on crafting that elusive second verse, this course is your guide to creating authentic, emotional songs that stand out.
In “How to Write Effective Lyrics,” you’ll discover the secrets professional songwriters use to captivate their listeners. Over just five weeks, you’ll transform your songwriting by learning how to:
We’ll study the lyrical brilliance of icons like James Taylor, Jason Isbell, and Taylor Swift, breaking down their masterpieces to uncover what makes their lyrics unforgettable. Then, through hands-on exercises and practical tools, you’ll apply these techniques to your own songs, crafting lyrics that feel deeply personal yet universally relatable.
Each week brings insightful lessons and exercises designed to elevate your writing. And with lifetime access to all course materials, your growth as a songwriter doesn’t stop after five weeks—it continues for as long as you need.
💡 Bonus: Enroll today with code TWENTYOFF and save $20!
This is more than a course—it’s a transformative journey into the art of songwriting. Your songs can do more than just sound good—they can connect, inspire, and leave a lasting impact.
Are you ready to make that happen? Join the course now and start writing lyrics that truly resonate.
Every Song Starts with Questions
Songwriting is Like Journalism
The Inverted Pyramid
Listeners Want to Feel Songs, Not Think Them
Strong First Verses with 5 Questions
5 Question Verse Process Demonstration
Hit Song Verse: Question Example
About the Writing Exercises:
Week 1: Writing Exercise 1
Week 1: Writing Exercise 2
Week 1: Writing Exercise 3
Week 1: Writing Exercise 4
Wrap Up of Week 1
What Common Questions do Choruses Usually Answer?
Writing a Chorus with Questions Demonstration
Week 2: Writing Exercise 1
Week 2: Writing Exercise 2
Week 2: Writing Exercise 3
Week 2: Writing Exercise 4
Week 2 Wrap Up
Advancing the WHO WHEN and WHERE in Verse 2
Verse 2 Writing Demonstration
Week 3: Writing Exercise 1
Week 3: Writing Exercise 2
Week 3: Writing Exercise 3
Week 3: Writing Exercise 4
Week 3: Writing Exercise 5
Week 3: Wrap Up
Spotting Patterns in Effective or Hit Songs
Week 4: Writing Exercise 1
FREE PREVIEWWeek 4: Writing Exercise 2
Week 4: Writing Exercise 3
Week 4: Writing Exercise 4
Week 4: Writing Exercise 5
FREE PREVIEWWeek 4: Wrap Up
I’m Chad Shank, and my mission is to help you break free from the creative boxes holding you back and discover the tools and techniques to develop your own authentic, unique, and powerful songwriting style. I believe that creating is what we’re meant to do—that each of us has something to say and the ability to move people through music. Music has the power to connect us, and I’ve seen incredible friendships and collaborations blossom through my At-Home Songwriting group.
With over 30 years of experience in the music industry, I’ve written thousands of songs and collaborated with artists and songwriters in genres like pop, country, dance, and hip-hop. My journey has taken me from running my own independent record label to licensing songs for TV shows on networks like HBO, MTV, WE, Fox Business, and Discovery. I’ve released over 300 songs on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, reaching audiences around the world.
As the founder of At-Home Songwriting, I’ve dedicated over a decade to teaching songwriters how to write music that’s both emotionally powerful and professionally crafted. I also teach lyric writing with Berklee College of Music Online and hold a Certificate in Songwriting from Berklee, along with a diploma in Audio Engineering from The Recording Workshop in Chillicothe, OH. My experience includes over 7 years in commercial radio and serving as the Education Director for the Minnesota Association of Songwriters, where I organized workshops, lectures, and seminars to help songwriters grow their craft.
Since launching the At-Home Songwriting YouTube channel in 2021, I’ve been sharing tips, insights, and tutorials to inspire songwriters everywhere. I also lead monthly workshops where I guide writers to tap into their creativity, communicate emotions, and craft songs that move people.
If you’re ready to explore your unique voice, embrace the magic of creativity, and connect with others through music, I’m here to help. Let’s write songs that connect with people!
This course is designed to help you write stronger lyrics in your songs. Each lesson is designed to give you the concepts and applications in an easy to understand way. You will see live writing demonstrations, and complete your own writing assignments.
The course is designed to open up a Chapter each week for 5 weeks. Each week you will watch video lessons and then do your own writing exercises. The writing exercises are designed to give you practice each day. You can work at your own pace, though. No pressure on completing everything on time. It is just important to do the work.
Once you enroll, your access never expires.
Yes! Your assignments will have links to open discussions and you will also be registered into the At-Home Songwriting Online Community. You can share ideas, songs, and get feedback.
The course is $57.00 currently.
The best way to take this course is to take notes during the video presentations, and complete all of the writing exercises. The writing exercises will give you real-time practice using the concepts and techniques.
Learn and Practice At Home
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