Gary Barlow launches songwriting course with the BBC - and it’s only £80

The Take That frontman will teach you all he knows as part of a new BBC Maestro e-learning course

Gary Barlow will test his patience when it comes to teaching as he launches an online songwriting course with the BBC. And it's perfect for fans or as an alternative beauty advent calendar gift this Christmas.

The singer-songwriter is one of many stars who have teamed up with the broadcasting service in a bid to reveal their secrets to spark your success, if you're looking for a new skill in lockdown.

The new e-learning service is a partnership between BBC Maestro and BBC Studios, with courses taught by the most experienced creators in the world.

And to kick-start the initiative, Ivor Novello winning songwriter Gary Barlow, who has sold more than 45 million albums and had 12 number one records, is teaching songwriting over 29 lessons and 3.5 hours of learning.

READ MORE:Gary Barlow joins Amazon Prime Day deals by giving fans chance to buy signed copies of his new album

What does Gary Barlow think of his course?

Gary said, “I’ve been studying composition, songwriting and performance for the better part of 30 years. I’ve learnt a few things along the way; things that help the process, things that inspire the process. Hopefully this course will inspire you. Maybe you’re going to write something today that is going to change the course of your life forever.”

He is one of four celebrities who will be offering their services for the launch - with more stars to be added in coming months.

Each course is filmed in 4K and offers several hours of content, broken down into 20 to 40 easily digested lessons accompanied by downloadable course notes filled with hints, tips and a breakdown of each Maestro’s course.

The other BBC Maestro launch courses available are:

• David Walliams teaches Writing for Children - With 40 million books sold, 29 books written, the UK’s best-selling children’s author said, "The wonderful thing about being a writer is that you don’t need any qualifications to do it. Anyone can just start doing it. The problem is often knowing where to start. I’ve written 28 children’s books and along the way I’ve learnt a lot. I’ll be sharing everything I’ve learnt about writing stories for young readers during my course. I’ll help you turn your amazing ideas into a fully formed story.”

• Jed Mercurio teaches Writing Drama for Television - The multi-award winning screenwriter and creator of Line of Duty and Bodyguard, will be sharing his skills. He said, “The great thing about being a writer is that anyone can do it. You just need an imagination and to know how to get started. You have the first one covered, and I’d like to help you with the second.”
• Chef Marco Pierre White, teaches Delicious Food Cooked Simply - The Godfather of modern British gastronomy, and the first British 3 Michelin starred chef said, “It’s not about recipes. This is about food. The understanding of food. How to take something as simple as a potato and take it somewhere it’s never been before. It’s impossible to cook 3-star food at home without a team, but what I can do is impart that 3-star understanding and show you how to introduce it into your cooking at home.”

This never before access is delivered in a series of digital tutorials, so whether you're a novice or anamateur enthusiast, BBC Maestro allows you to indulge in your area of passion from the comfort of your own home and learn from the experts.

Stephen Davies, Managing Director of BBC Studios, Consumer Products and Licensing said, “BBC Maestro offers the ultimate guides for anyone who has a dream or a passion that they’ve always wanted to perfect. Whether you want to write a best-selling book or TV series, become a songwriter, learn to act, cook like a Michelin-starred chef or become an entrepreneur, these lessons provide a rare opportunity for novices and experienced amateurs alike to hone their craft and learn from the very best in the world.”

Each BBC Maestro’s course can be purchased for a one-off fee of £80. This allows the participants to watch and learn as frequently as they like in order to hone their skills. Their courses will not just be instructional but also motivational, filled with experiences that provide a combination of practical skills, insight, and inspiration. The service is available here .

Among future courses will be Malorie Blackman - Writing for Young Adults /Heston Blumenthal – Ingenious Cooking At Home/ Ozwald Boateng - Fashion Design – From the Blank Page to the Catwalk / Helena Bonham Carter – Acting / Julia Donaldson – Writing Children’s Picture Books /Peter Jones – Entrepreneurship /Sir Tim Rice – Performing and Writing Musical Theatre / Vineet Bhatia – Teaching Indian cuisine / Jancis Robinson – An Understanding of Wine.