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Elements of Hit Songwriting

Elements of Hit Songwriting
MUSC X 401.5

Designed for both musicians and lyricists, this hands-on introduction to the craft of songwriting focuses on collaboration and teaches a step-by-step method for writing a professional-quality song.

Duration
As few as 11 weeks
Units
4.0
Current Formats
In Person
Cost
Starting at $835.00

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What you can learn.

Learn the elements that make up a successful song for a demo to be prepared as a marketable product
Gain an understanding of all aspects of hit songwriting for many different genres
Practice creating a hook, learning where to place it, and how to set it up
Understand these different aspects from a wide range of industry guest speakers

About This Course

Designed for both musicians and lyricists, this hands-on introduction to the craft of songwriting focuses on collaboration and teaches a step-by-step method for writing a professional-quality song. Instruction emphasizes the elements that make up a successful song and the completion of a demo in preparation for a marketable product. You gain an understanding of all aspects of hit songwriting from structure to groove, covering the different approaches for writing rock, pop, alternative, blues, R&B, hip-hop and country. You practice creating and developing a hook, learn where to place it, how to set it up and how to exploit it within different types of song structure. Discussion includes a wide variety of guests from the industry, such as A&R/record companies, music supervisors, record producers, and film and television executives.

Winter 2026 Schedule

Date
Details
Format
 
-
Tuesday 7:00PM - 10:00PM PT
Instructor:
REG#
406191
Fee:
$835.00
In Personformat icon
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
Updating...
Notes

Enrollment limited; early enrollment advised. Internet access required. 

Deadline
Refunds only available from November 03, 2025 to January 18, 2026
Course Requirements
Internet access required to retrieve course materials.
Schedule
Type
Date
Time
Location
Lecture
Tue Jan 6, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 212
Lecture
Tue Jan 13, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 212
Lecture
Tue Jan 20, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 212
Lecture
Tue Jan 27, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 212
Lecture
Tue Feb 3, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 212
Lecture
Tue Feb 10, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 212
Lecture
Tue Feb 17, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 212
Lecture
Tue Feb 24, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 212
Lecture
Tue Mar 3, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 212
Lecture
Tue Mar 10, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 212
Lecture
Tue Mar 17, 2026
7:00PM PT - 10:00PM PT
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center in Westwood
UCLA Extension Lindbrook Center 212

This course applies toward the following programs

certificate Learn the ins and outs of independent music production, covering the creative and marketing aspects of the business.

Learn the ins and outs of independent music production, covering the creative and marketing aspects of the business.