Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, Wells, Maine
CAN ORDINARY PEOPLE WRITE SONGS??
For participants of Rivier Institute for Senior Education (RISE)
Don Gnecco, Facilitator
Welcome RISE participants to the Winter Showcase: Can Ordinary People Write Songs?
This page has been designed as a supplement to our Zoom session and contains some links and resources should you wish to pursue songwriting and/or learn more about it. (This page is "hidden" on my website, which means that only those who have the link can access it directly.) That said, please feel comfortable to access/read anything on the website and download or print any of the music that interests you. Don Gnecco Click here to learn more about me as your facilitator.
Movies | Films | Documentaries About Songwriters and Composers
Movies that feature stories about songwriters — from fictional tales to biographical films and documentaries that explore the creative life and struggles of people who write songs:
🎬 Fictional & Narrative Films About Songwriters
  • These films tell dramatic or romantic stories centered on characters who write songs or pursue songwriting careers:
  • The Thing Called Love (1993) – A film about aspiring songwriters in Nashville trying to break into the music business.
  • Grace of My Heart (1996) – Follows a fictional songwriter’s career through the Brill Building pop scene, loosely inspired by real-life songwriters.
  • Juliet, Naked (2018) – Centers on a reclusive singer-songwriter and his unconventional life and relationship.
  • The Song (2014) – A story about a singer-songwriter whose original song changes his life and relationships.
  • Once (2007) – An Irish romantic musical drama about two musicians/songwriters collaborating and creating music together (not from the web search but widely known).
🎥 Biographical & Documentary Films
  • These films focus on real songwriters or the craft of songwriting:

  • Walk the Line (2005) – Biographical drama about Johnny Cash, one of America’s most influential singer-songwriters.
  • Swanee River (1939) – A biographical musical drama about Stephen Foster, a historical American songwriter.
  • It All Begins With a Song: The Story of the Nashville Songwriter (2020) – Documentary about the lives and work of Nashville songwriters. Blue Moon is a 2025 American biographical comedy-drama film directed by Richard Linklater and written by Robert Kaplow, reportedly inspired by the letters of Elizabeth Weiland to Lorenz Hart.

  • Documentaries on specific songwriters/composers:

  • Heart & Soul: The Life and Music of Frank Loesser – Documentary about a legendary Broadway composer/lyricist.
  • There are also music documentaries exploring the craft and stories behind well-known songwriters (e.g., Bob Dylan documentaries, Sondheim films) even if not strictly titled “songwriter” subjects.
SOME HELPFUL LINKS
Matt Hodge Music - Matt's YouTube channel is chock full of helpful videos if you wish to learn or brush up on piano skills.
U.S. Copyright - Frequently-asked Questions
🎵 Free & Beginner-Friendly Songwriting Courses
📍 Free Structured Courses Introduction to Songwriting – A free beginner course teaching how to turn inspiration into meaningful song lyrics and craft song ideas.Songwriting for Complete Beginners – A free Skillshare course covering basics of songwriting and music creation (self-paced and short).Songwriting & Composing Melodies (Skillshare) – Free intro class (very short) on melody and songwriting techniques.Free Songwriting Course for Beginners (Skillademia) – A 3-hour beginner course that teaches how to find your voice and start writing songs.Learn Songwriting in 1 Hour (Cursa) – Quick free course to grasp core elements of songwriting and begin writing your first songs.Online Beginners Songwriting Course (FutureLearn) – Free access to fundamentals of songwriting (you can audit the class at no cost).
🧠 Other Helpful Free or Low-Cost Options
Free Mini Songwriting Course (Email Lessons) – A free mini-course sent by email that walks you through songwriting tips and frameworks.Berklee Free Songwriting Content on Coursera – Some Berklee College of Music songwriting courses can be audited for free through Coursera (no certificate unless paid). Users often recommend Songwriting: Lyric Writing by Pat Pattison as a free self-paced option when auditing.
RESOURCES | TOOLS
This 30-page download is a real treasure trove for anybody who is beginning to learning about music scales, cords, and notation. I have found this to be SO helpful! Click here to visit Matt's YouTube channel where there are many wonderful videos that are inspiring and amazingly easy to follow. This guy is the real deal!
🎹 Free Browser-Based Keyboard Tools
No piano or keyboard in your home? These free online keyboards let you play a virtual piano with your mouse or computer keyboard...great for picking out a melody.
• Free browser piano: Digital Piano App – Simple online keyboard you can play in any browser — use your keys or mouse to play notes. • Full virtual piano: Virtual Piano – DotIAM Tools online keyboard — realistic piano with octaves and built-in melodies. • Browser piano: OnlinePiano.io – Play and even record your keyboard ideas — free and mobile-friendly.