Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 10, 11, & 12 from Udemy

This course has been independently reviewed by a panel of experts and has received a stellar 5-star rating.

100% Answer Rate. Every single question posted to this class is answered within 24 hours by the instructor.

Welcome to the

This is a class designed for the average person who is ready to take music theory (or music interest) and turn it into a usable skill. Whether you are an active musician or an aspiring musician, this class is perfect for you.

For years I've been teaching Music Theory in the college classroom. These classes I'm making for Udemy use the same syllabus I've used in my college classes for years, at a fraction of the cost. I believe anyone can learn Music Theory - and cost shouldn't be a barrier.

My approach to music theory is to minimize memorization. Most of these concepts you can learn by just understanding why chords behave in certain ways. Once you understand those concepts, you can find any scale, key, or chord that exists. Even invent your own. If you've tried to learn music theory before, or if you are just starting out - this series of courses is the perfect fit.

Dr. Allen is a professional musician, top-rated Udemy instructor, and university professor. In 2017 the Star Tribune featured him as a "Mover and a Shaker," and he is recognized by the Grammy Foundation for his music education classes.

This class is a Comprehensive class - it will have many parts, going through my entire annual curriculum.

, Part 11: Melody & Motives, and Part 12: Secondary Dominants.

Throughout this class, If you get stuck, you can review the videos or post a question, and I'll back to it as fast as possible (within a day).

In this class, we will cover:

Tools of Music Theory
Identifying types of diminished 7 chords
Whole diminished chords
Half diminished chords
Training your ear to find diminished chords
Expanding tonic with leading tones
The viiº6 chord
Doubling in the viiº chords
Tendency tones
Unequal fifths
Resolutions for viiº7 chords
Expanding tonic with viiº
Harmonizing with viiº7
Mystical properties of the whole diminished chord
Pivot chords
4/2 Chords as tonic expansion
Using ii4/2
Neighboring 4/2 chords
Passing 4/2 chords
Why phrases are important
Identifying Phrases
Finding Motives
Labeling Motives and Phrases
Melody Augmentation
Melody Diminution
Melody Inversion
Melody Extension and Truncation
Countour, Rhythm, Transposition, and Interval Alterations
Harmonizing altered melodies
Musical Sentences
Musical Periods
Antecedents
Consequents
Performing Phrases
Hypermeter
Phrase Rhythm
Analyzing Bach
Identifying Sequences
Melodic Sequences
Harmonic Sequences
Diatonic and Chromatic Sequences
The Descending Fifth Sequence
Alternating Inversions in Sequences
Ascending Fifth Sequences
Descending Third Sequences
Secondary Dominants
Chromatic Chords
Tonicization and Modulation
Secondary Leading Tone Chords
Leading Tones To Five
Tonicizing Other Scale Degrees
Leading Tone of Anything
Analyzing Beethoven
Resolving Secondary Dominants
Embellished Resolutions
Irregular Resolutions
...and much, much more.

And of course, once you sign up for this class, you automatically get huge discounts on all the upcoming parts of this class.

You will not have another opportunity to learn Music Theory in a more comprehensive way than this.

All the tools you need to successfully learn Music Theory is included in this course and the entire course is based on real-life experiences - not just academic theory.

Please click the "Take This Course" button so you can launch your music career today.

Test Prep:

This course is perfect for prep for the Praxis II Test (ETS Praxis Music), The ABRSM Music Theory Exam (up to Grade 8), AP Music Theory Exam, College Placement Exams (Music Theory), and other common secondary and post-secondary placement exams.

I guarantee that this course is the most thorough music theory course available ANYWHERE on the market - or your money back (30 day money back guarantee)

Closed captions have been added to all lessons in this course.

Praise for Courses by Jason Allen:

⇢ "It seems like every little detail is being covered in an extremely simple fashion. The learning process becomes relaxed and allows complex concepts to get absorbed easily. My only regret is not taking this course earlier." - M. Shah

⇢ "Great for everyone without any knowledge so far. I bought all three parts... It's the best investment in leveling up my skills so far.." - Z. Palce

⇢ "Excellent explanations. No more or less than what is needed." - A. Tóth

⇢ "VERY COOL. I've waited for years to see a good video course, now I don't have to wait anymore. Thank You. " - Jeffrey Koury

⇢ "I am learning LOTS. And I really like having the worksheets. " - A. Deichsel

⇢ "The basics explained very clearly - loads of really useful tips. " - J. Pook

⇢ "Jason is really quick and great with questions, always a great resource for an online class. " M. Smith

Students who register for this course will receive ongoing exclusive content and discounts to all future classes in the series.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Master college-level music theory class
Compose music in the style of the great composers
Create more emotional music using suspensions, resolutions, and non-chord tones effectively
Pitches and pitch classes
The keyboard layout
The 2 main clefs
Reading rhythms
The main musical symbols you find in scores
The 4 main scale patterns
The 3 notes in any chord (and how to find them!)
Analysis projects of bach, beethoven, mozart, and some modern music as well!
How 7th chords work
Keys and key signatures
The circle of fifths
The 7 scale degrees
Compound meters
The 3 types of minor scales
Diatonic chord progressions
The 7 modes

The 12 intervals
The 5 types of counterpoint
Writing melodies
Melodic embellishment
The 5 types of cadences
Harmonizing melodies
Figured bass
Harmonizing chorale melodies
Passing chords
Sequences by chords
Changing keys
Diminished chords and tonic expansion
Identifying phrases
Motives
Sentences, periods, and melody structure
Secondary dominants
Show more
Show less

Master college-level music theory class
Compose music in the style of the great composers
Create more emotional music using suspensions, resolutions, and non-chord tones effectively
Pitches and pitch classes
The keyboard layout
The 2 main clefs
Reading rhythms
The main musical symbols you find in scores
The 4 main scale patterns
The 3 notes in any chord (and how to find them!)
Analysis projects of bach, beethoven, mozart, and some modern music as well!
How 7th chords work
Keys and key signatures
The circle of fifths
The 7 scale degrees
Compound meters
The 3 types of minor scales
Diatonic chord progressions
The 7 modes
The 12 intervals
The 5 types of counterpoint
Writing melodies
Melodic embellishment
The 5 types of cadences
Harmonizing melodies
Figured bass
Harmonizing chorale melodies
Passing chords
Sequences by chords
Changing keys
Diminished chords and tonic expansion
Identifying phrases
Motives
Sentences, periods, and melody structure
Secondary dominants
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

Introduction

Tools you will need for this class

Update! MuseScore 3.0

[DOWNLOAD] Sheet Music

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Uses the same college-level music theory that the instructor has taught for years, providing a solid foundation for understanding complex musical concepts

Prepares learners for Praxis II Test, ABRSM Music Theory Exam (up to Grade 8), AP Music Theory Exam, and college placement exams, making it useful for academic advancement

Covers analysis projects of Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and some modern music, which develops skills in understanding and appreciating diverse musical styles

Explores diminished chords, melody writing, motives, musical sentences, periods, and secondary dominants, which are essential topics in music theory curricula

Belongs to a comprehensive series, suggesting a detailed and thorough exploration of music theory concepts, which may benefit learners seeking in-depth knowledge

Requires learners to understand parts 1 through 9 of this series, which may pose a barrier to entry for some students without prior knowledge

Reviews summary

Advanced music theory concepts deep dive

According to learners, this course provides a clear and comprehensive dive into advanced music theory topics, specifically covering diminished chords, melody and motives, and secondary dominants. Students particularly appreciate the instructor's ability to explain complex concepts in an understandable way and the inclusion of practical examples from composers like Bach and Beethoven. Many find the course builds effectively on previous parts of the series. While largely positive, a few reviewers note that the pace can be challenging at times and that it requires solid prior knowledge from earlier courses or equivalent study.

Integrates well with earlier courses.

"This course seamlessly continues the learning from parts 1-9."

"It's essential to have taken the previous courses to keep up."

"Perfect continuation of the comprehensive series."

Instructor is knowledgeable and engaging.

"Jason Allen's teaching style is engaging and makes learning enjoyable."

"The instructor is very knowledgeable and clearly passionate about the subject."

"He makes even dry topics interesting and easy to follow."

Composer examples enhance understanding.

"Analyzing Bach and Beethoven pieces helped me see how the theory is applied in real music."

"The examples provided make the abstract concepts feel very concrete and usable."

"Applying the concepts to actual scores is incredibly helpful."

Complex theory concepts explained well.

"The instructor explains diminished chords and secondary dominants in a way that finally makes sense."

"Complex topics are broken down into manageable, easy-to-understand parts."

"I finally grasped secondary dominants after struggling with them for years."

May require rewatching sections.

"Some sections move quite quickly, requiring me to pause and rewatch."

"The amount of information can feel overwhelming at times due to the pace."

"Had to spend extra time reviewing certain lectures to fully grasp them."

Not for absolute beginners in theory.

"You really need a strong foundation before tackling this part of the series."

"This course is definitely for those who have already learned the basics."

"Make sure you're comfortable with earlier material before starting."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 10, 11, & 12 with these activities:

Review Diatonic Chord Progressions

Show steps

Strengthen your understanding of diatonic chord progressions to provide a solid foundation for understanding more complex harmonic concepts covered in the course.

Browse courses on Chord Progressions

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Review the definitions of diatonic chords and their functions within a key.
Practice identifying diatonic chord progressions in simple musical examples.
Analyze the harmonic structure of a few simple songs to identify common diatonic progressions.

Review 'Tonal Harmony' by Stefan Kostka, Dorothy Payne, and Byron Almen

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Deepen your understanding of music theory concepts with a comprehensive review of a standard music theory textbook.

View Kostka, Tonal Harmony, 2018, 8e, Student... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters related to diminished chords, secondary dominants, and melodic analysis.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter to test your understanding.
Compare the book's explanations with those provided in the course materials.

Ear Training for Diminished Chords

Show steps

Improve your ability to identify diminished chords by ear, a crucial skill for recognizing and utilizing them effectively in your own compositions and analyses.

Show steps

Use online ear training resources to practice identifying diminished chords in isolation.
Practice distinguishing between whole-half and half-diminished chords.
Transcribe short musical excerpts containing diminished chords.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Review 'The Complete Musician' by Steven G. Laitz

Show steps

Expand your understanding of music theory with a review of a comprehensive textbook that covers a wide range of topics.

View The Complete Musician: An Integrated Approach... on Amazon

Show steps

Focus on chapters related to harmonic analysis, melodic structure, and form.
Work through the examples and exercises provided in the book.
Compare the book's approach to the concepts presented in the course.

Compose a Short Piece Using Secondary Dominants

Show steps

Apply your knowledge of secondary dominants by composing a short musical piece that effectively utilizes them to create harmonic interest and tension.

Show steps

Choose a key and create a basic chord progression.
Identify opportunities to insert secondary dominants to tonicize other scale degrees.
Compose a melody that complements the harmonic structure.
Record or notate your composition.

Harmonic Analysis of a Bach Chorale

Show steps

Sharpen your analytical skills by performing a detailed harmonic analysis of a Bach chorale, focusing on identifying diminished chords, secondary dominants, and melodic motives.

Show steps

Select a Bach chorale from a collection or online resource.
Notate the Roman numeral analysis of the chord progression.
Identify and label any non-chord tones, diminished chords, and secondary dominants.
Analyze the melodic motives and phrases within the chorale.
Write a brief report summarizing your findings.

Analyze Beethoven's Piano Sonatas

Show steps

Apply the concepts learned in the course by analyzing the harmonic language and melodic structure of Beethoven's piano sonatas.

Show steps

Select a few Beethoven piano sonatas to analyze.
Identify and analyze the use of diminished chords, secondary dominants, and other chromatic harmonies.
Analyze the melodic motives and phrases, paying attention to their development and transformation.
Write a detailed report summarizing your findings and insights.

Career center

Learners who complete Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 10, 11, & 12 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Composer

A composer creates original musical works, and this course is perfect for building the necessary theoretical foundation. This role involves understanding harmony, melody, and form, all of which are covered extensively in this course. The detailed study of diminished chords, secondary dominants, motives, and phrase structures will directly enhance their ability to create sophisticated and emotionally resonant compositions. The course's emphasis on analyzing the works of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart is ideal as it helps a composer understand the strategies used by great composers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Composer

Arranger

An arranger adapts existing musical works to new formats, instruments, or styles, and this course offers many suitable skills. This role requires deep knowledge of music theory, including harmony, melody, and form. This course, with its focus on diminished chords, secondary dominants, motivic development, and phrase construction, directly contributes to an arranger's ability to create effective and engaging arrangements. The study of harmonic sequences and melodic alterations covered in this course are essential for crafting diverse and interesting arrangements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Arranger

Orchestrator

An orchestrator assigns musical ideas to various instruments within an orchestra or ensemble, making this course beneficial. This role demands a strong understanding of music theory, including harmony, melody, and form, all of which this course emphasizes. The detailed exploration of diminished chords, secondary dominants, motives, and melodic alterations in the course will directly aid an orchestrator's ability to create rich and textured instrumental settings. The course's analysis of phrases, sentences, and periods is especially useful for understanding the large-scale structure of a musical piece and how to orchestrate it effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Orchestrator

Music Editor

A music editor works with recorded music to refine and enhance sound quality. This course is very helpful for developing the detailed musical understanding that is required. This role benefits from a strong grasp of harmonic and melodic structure. The course's focus on diminished chords, secondary dominants, motives, and phrase structures will allow a music editor to make more informed decisions when editing music. The ear training and analysis of motives and melodic alterations covered in the course are particularly relevant for a music editor's work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Editor

Music Instructor

A music instructor teaches music theory, performance, or history. This course provides an excellent foundation because of its deep dive into the subject matter. The course content, including diminished chords, secondary dominants, motives, and phrase structures, provides a strong basis for a music instructor's teaching material. The course's emphasis on analyzing the works of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart is very useful, as it provides practical examples that can be used in teaching. The instructor's approach to music theory, designed to minimize memorization and focus on conceptual understanding, could be adopted by music instructors themselves.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Instructor

Songwriter

A songwriter creates original songs, and this course is directly relevant to this career path. Songwriting requires a thorough understanding of music theory, especially harmony, melody, and form. This course's detailed examination of diminished chords, secondary dominants, motives, and phrase structures will enhance a songwriter's ability to compose sophisticated and emotionally impactful songs. The focus on analyzing the music of Bach and Beethoven, as well as the study of melodic alteration, will broaden a songwriter's creative palette.

See salaries and explore the career path for Songwriter

Film Score Composer

A film score composer creates music for movies, and this course may be useful in this domain. This role requires a strong grasp of music theory, especially harmony, melody, and form. The course, which covers diminished chords, secondary dominants, motivic development, and phrase construction, will provide a film score composer with tools to craft emotionally resonant and narrative-driven scores. The course's emphasis on analyzing diverse musical forms and altering melodies helps a film score composer to work in different contexts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Film Score Composer

Video Game Composer

A video game composer creates music for video games, and this course may be beneficial to someone in this field. This role demands a firm understanding of music theory, especially harmony, melody, and form. The course offers many relevant tools, including diminished chords, secondary dominants, motives, and phrase structures. These techniques help in crafting dynamic and engaging soundtracks for video games. This course's emphasis on understanding harmonic sequences and melodic alterations is useful for a video game composer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Composer

Music Theorist

A music theorist studies the structure and principles of music, and this course may be extremely beneficial to those who choose such a career. These professionals analyze musical works, develop theoretical models, and conduct research. The course provides a strong grounding in music theory concepts. It covers diminished chords, secondary dominants, motivic development, and phrase construction. This course also emphasizes techniques such as melodic alteration, harmonic sequencing, and analysis of varied forms. These are vital for a music theorist's work as they underpin many important concepts in music theory. This role often requires an advanced degree.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Theorist

Music Librarian

A music librarian manages music scores, recordings, and related materials in libraries or archives, and this course may be useful. While this role involves cataloging and preserving materials, understanding music theory is beneficial for categorizing and organizing musical resources effectively. This course's concepts, such as diminished chords, secondary dominants, and musical form, can assist a music librarian in correctly identifying and handling complex musical works. The course's overview of musical structure and historical analysis provides a useful background for a music librarian.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Librarian

Music Therapist

A music therapist uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals, where this course could be beneficial. While this role primarily focuses on the therapeutic application of music, a fundamental understanding of music theory can be helpful. The course's concepts of melodic structure, harmony, and rhythm provide valuable insights into music's emotional impact and ability to evoke feelings. The course's emphasis on the analysis of Bach and Beethoven can help a music therapist appreciate the complexity and nuance of music, making it a potentially useful tool.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist

Acoustic Consultant

An acoustic consultant works on sound quality in structures, and this course may be applicable to such a position. This role involves analyzing sound and its properties, where a knowledge of music theory may be beneficial for understanding the frequency and harmonic content of sound. The course's focus on harmony and theory can provide a general understanding of how sound interacts when constructing buildings that require a high level of acoustic performance. An acoustic consultant may find the study of musical intervals and chords as somewhat helpful for their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Acoustic Consultant

Sound Designer

A sound designer creates sound effects and audio for various media, where this course may be of some use. This role involves creating soundscapes, where an understanding of musical concepts, such as pitch, harmony, and rhythm, can help. The course's study of music theory may provide a useful foundation for creating diverse and interesting audio textures. A sound designer may use some of the principles of harmony, rhythm, and melodic structure to better conceptualize sound design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Designer

Audio Engineer

An audio engineer works with the technical aspects of sound recording, mixing, and mastering, where this course may be of some use. While this role focuses on technical skills, a grasp of music theory can be helpful for understanding the relationships between musical elements. This course's exploration of harmony, melody, and form may provide a foundation for an audio engineer to better understand the structure of the music they are working with. The course's focus on harmonic progressions and melodic alterations could be helpful in mixing and mastering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Engineer

Arts Administrator

An arts administrator manages the business side of arts organizations, such as orchestras or music venues, where this course may be useful. While an arts administrator does not need to be skilled in music theory, this course could still be useful for understanding the artistic context of the organization they manage. This course might be useful for an arts administrator because the course provides an introduction to musical forms, as well as historical analysis of works by Bach and Beethoven.

See salaries and explore the career path for Arts Administrator

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 10, 11, & 12.

Tonal Harmony

Save

Tonal Harmony widely used textbook in undergraduate music theory courses. It provides a comprehensive overview of tonal harmony, covering topics such as chord construction, voice leading, and harmonic analysis. is particularly useful for reinforcing the concepts covered in the course and providing additional examples and exercises. It serves as a valuable reference tool for understanding the underlying principles of tonal music.

Kostka, Tonal Harmony, 2018, 8e, Student Edition,...

Hardcover

$$$

The Complete Musician

Save

The Complete Musician offers a comprehensive approach to music theory, covering harmony, counterpoint, form, and analysis. It's known for its clear explanations and numerous examples drawn from the standard repertoire. is valuable for students seeking a deeper understanding of musical structure and analysis techniques. It provides a broader perspective on the topics covered in the course and can serve as a useful reference for future musical endeavors.

The Complete Musician: An Integrated Approach to...

Loose Leaf

$$$

Music Theory Comprehensive Complete

Part 10, 11, & 12

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Advanced music theory concepts deep dive

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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