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J. Anthony Allen

Welcome to the Parts 1, 2, and 3.

This class is for anyone who has wondered about the origins of music, how it came to be, and where it came from. 

If you've ever looked at a medieval instrument, and wondered how it was played, this course is for you. If you've ever watched an episode of Game of Thrones and wondered about the music, this class is for you. If you've ever wanted to learn how they come up with music for video games like Skyrim, Zelda (any of them), or anything else set in a medieval-esque world, this class is for you.

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Welcome to the Parts 1, 2, and 3.

This class is for anyone who has wondered about the origins of music, how it came to be, and where it came from. 

If you've ever looked at a medieval instrument, and wondered how it was played, this course is for you. If you've ever watched an episode of Game of Thrones and wondered about the music, this class is for you. If you've ever wanted to learn how they come up with music for video games like Skyrim, Zelda (any of them), or anything else set in a medieval-esque world, this class is for you.

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

Topics Covered: 

  • Music of Antiquity

  • "Early" Music

  • Music of Mesopotamia 

  • Early music instruments: Harps and Lyres

  • The origins of music notation

  • Music in Ancient Greek culture

  • Music in Greek philosophy

  • Music in the early Christian church

  • Gregorian Chant

  • Sacred and Secular music

  • Boethius

  • Pathagoras

  • Hexachords

  • The Guidoian Hand

  • Poetry in Music of the Medieval period

  • Hildegard Von Bingen

  • Versus

  • Goliard Songs

  • Minstrels

  • Bards

  • Troubadours

  • MotetsPolitics of the world during the renaissance

  • Europe during the renaissance

  • Musical training

  • The music of Jusquin Desprez

  • The age of the castrato

  • New compositional techniques in the renaissance

  • New tuning systems in the renaissance

  • The dawn of printed music

  • The music of John Dunstable

  • The polyphonic mass

  • The music of DuFay

  • Chanson

  • The music of Busnoy

  • The Mass in the renaissance

  • The music of Ockeghem

  • The reformation's effects on music

  • Music in the Lutheran church

  • Music in the Calvinist church

  • Music in the Church of England

  • Catholic music after the reformation

  • Jewish music

  • The amateur musician

  • The development of song in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and England

  • The Italian madrigal

  • Instruments of the renaissance

  • Dance Music

  • Politics of the world during the Baroque

  • The Affections

  • Harmony, Notation, and Ornamentation

  • Monteverdi

  • Early Opera

  • The Diva

  • Music in the Catholic Church

  • Carissimi

  • Music in the Lutheran Church

  • Schutz

  • Jewish Music

  • Instrumental Types of Music

  • The Toccata

  • Frescobalidi

  • The Sonata

  • The Dance Suite

  • French Opera

  • Lully

  • English Opera

  • Purcell

  • Baroque Music in Spain

  • The Zarzuela

  • Da Capo Aria

  • Scarlatti

  • Sonatas

  • Corelli

  • The Concerto

  • Organ Music

  • Can piano lessons help you understand music history?

  • And much, much more.

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

While a lot of history courses focus on memorization, this is a course for those interested in immersing themselves in the music and culture. You won't find lists of dates to memorize here - this class is designed to be fun and enjoyable.

This is a multiple-course series, it contains all of the content as the individual courses.

Please click the "Take This Course" button so you can start learning about the history of music TODAY.

I guarantee that this course is the most thorough music history 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. 

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • In this course, students will learn about the earliest forms of music made by humans (that we know about), and how it became what we know as music now.
  • Students will learn how gregorian chant works, how it is notated, and how it was used in the medieval area in worship.
  • Students will learn how traveling bards and troubadours went town-to-town using music to convey the news of the day.

Syllabus

Introduction
Music Examples
List of Musical Examples Used in this Course
Asking Questions
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores the origins of music notation, offering insights into how musical ideas were first captured and transmitted across generations, which is foundational knowledge for musicologists
Covers a wide range of topics, from ancient Mesopotamian music to the Renaissance madrigal, providing a comprehensive overview of Western music history, which is useful for students
Examines the influence of historical and political events, such as the Reformation, on the development of music, which provides a broader understanding of music's cultural context
Includes coverage of lesser-known areas, such as Jewish music and the role of amateur musicians, which broadens the scope of traditional music history education
Presents information about early music theory, including hexachords and the Guidonian hand, which may be challenging for learners without prior music theory knowledge
Focuses on Western music history, potentially excluding other rich musical traditions from around the world, which may not appeal to learners seeking a global perspective

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Reviews summary

Deep dive into music history

According to learners, this course offers a remarkably comprehensive and engaging journey through early Western music history, covering Antiquity through the Baroque period. Students consistently highlight the instructor's expertise and teaching style, finding the content easy to understand and fascinating. While the sheer volume of information is substantial, many appreciate the depth and detail provided. A key positive is the instructor's rapid responsiveness to questions, ensuring learners feel supported. Some reviews suggest the course is best suited for those with a genuine interest in foundational music history, rather than practical music skills. Overall, it's seen as an excellent resource for historical context and a solid foundation.
Geared towards historical understanding.
"This course is definitely for history buffs; it doesn't teach you how to play or read music beyond historical context."
"If you want to understand the *why* and *how* music developed historically, this is perfect, but not for practical skills."
"The focus is purely on the historical and cultural aspects of music evolution."
"As expected, this delves into history, not performance techniques or modern theory applications."
Instructor answers questions quickly.
"The instructor's promise of answering questions within 24 hours was absolutely true and so helpful."
"Received prompt and clear responses whenever I posted a question."
"Knowing the instructor is readily available makes the learning experience much better."
"Great support from Dr. Allen; he's very active in the Q&A."
Lectures are interesting and hold attention.
"Despite the historical detail, the lectures are anything but dry; they are truly engaging."
"I looked forward to each lesson because of how well the stories and history were presented."
"The use of examples helps bring the historical context to life."
"Found the course content absolutely fascinating and easy to follow."
Deeply explores early Western music history.
"This course is incredibly thorough, covering periods I knew little about in depth."
"I appreciate how detailed the course is, going into specifics of different eras and forms."
"Covers a vast amount of material, providing a complete picture of early music."
"The syllabus shows just how much is packed into this course – it's a full history."
Instructor makes complex history understandable.
"The instructor is excellent and makes the content very clear and understandable."
"Dr. Allen is a fantastic teacher! He explains everything so well and makes it interesting."
"His passion for the subject really shines through and makes the lectures engaging."
"The instructor's knowledge is evident, and he presents the material effectively."

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 The Complete History of Music, COMPLETE: Parts 1, 2, and 3 with these activities:
The Oxford History of Western Music
Gain a deeper understanding of Western music history by exploring this comprehensive resource.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Read relevant sections corresponding to course topics.
  • Take notes on key concepts and composers.
Review Music Theory Fundamentals
Strengthen your understanding of music theory to better grasp the concepts presented in the course.
Browse courses on Music Theory
Show steps
  • Review basic music notation.
  • Practice identifying intervals and chords.
  • Study basic harmonic progressions.
Create a Timeline of Musical Eras
Solidify your understanding of the chronological order of musical periods by creating a visual timeline.
Show steps
  • Research the key periods in music history.
  • Identify major composers and their works.
  • Design a visually appealing timeline.
  • Add brief descriptions of each period.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Discuss Course Topics with Peers
Reinforce your learning by discussing course concepts and examples with other students.
Show steps
  • Form a study group with classmates.
  • Choose a topic from the course to discuss.
  • Share your understanding and ask questions.
A History of Western Music
Expand your knowledge of Western music history with this widely used textbook.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the textbook.
  • Read chapters relevant to the course syllabus.
  • Review key terms and concepts.
Compose a Piece in the Style of a Specific Era
Deepen your understanding of a particular musical era by composing a piece in its characteristic style.
Show steps
  • Select a musical era from the course.
  • Research the stylistic features of that era.
  • Compose a short piece incorporating those features.
  • Record or notate your composition.
Presentation on a Composer
Deepen your understanding of a specific composer by researching their life, works, and historical context, then presenting your findings.
Show steps
  • Choose a composer from the course.
  • Research their biography and major works.
  • Prepare a presentation with visuals and audio examples.
  • Present your findings to a group or record a video.

Career center

Learners who complete The Complete History of Music, COMPLETE: Parts 1, 2, and 3 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Music Historian
As a music historian, you would research, analyze, and interpret musical works, performances, and cultural contexts. This course, with its deep dive into the history of music, may be quite useful. The breadth of topics covered, from the music of antiquity to the Baroque period, helps build a strong foundation for contextualizing musical developments across centuries. Learning about early instruments, notation, and the evolution of sacred and secular music helps anyone undertaking the kind of academic work a music historian is engaged in. This course also helps understand the cultural and philosophical underpinnings of different musical eras and how those eras evolved.
Choir Director
A choir director leads and manages choral ensembles, selecting repertoire and guiding performances. This course helps when it comes to understanding the historical context of choral music, particularly Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony. A choir director will have a deep knowledge of sacred and secular music. The course's exploration of musical notation and compositional techniques enhances the director's ability to interpret and conduct choral works. This course's coverage of music in different historical periods provides you with a broader range of repertoire options and helps inform your artistic choices.
Music Teacher
Music teachers educate students of all ages in music theory, history, and performance. This course may be useful when it comes to teaching music history, from ancient times to the Baroque period. The course helps build a solid foundation of knowledge, covering a wide range of topics. Learning about musical notation, instruments, and cultural contexts enhances a teacher's ability to engage students and provide a richer educational experience. The course's exploration of different composers and musical styles helps broaden your understanding of the subject matter.
Liturgical Music Director
The liturgical music director plans and executes music for religious services, requiring a deep understanding of sacred music traditions. This course may be helpful by providing a comprehensive overview of music history, with a particular focus on sacred music. The course covers Gregorian chant, music in the early Christian church, and the effects of the Reformation on music. The course's exploration of different musical styles and traditions helps the director create meaningful and appropriate musical experiences for worship services. This course helps understand the historical and cultural context of sacred music.
Ethnomusicologist
An ethnomusicologist studies the music of different cultures, exploring its social, cultural, and historical significance. This course may be quite useful because it addresses music from antiquity through the Baroque period. The course's coverage of ancient Greek culture, early Christian church music, and the development of song in various European countries helps provide a foundation for comparative musicological studies. The course's exploration of instruments and notation also allows one to delve into the technical and artistic aspects of diverse musical traditions. This course may be particularly relevant for anyone interested in the historical evolution of music across different societies.
Music Journalist
Music journalists write about music for newspapers, magazines, websites, needing a broad understanding of music history and styles. This course may be useful as it provides a thorough overview of music history, helping to contextualize current musical trends and movements. The course helps understand the evolution of musical forms, compositional techniques, and cultural influences. The course's exploration of different composers and musical styles helps in providing informed and insightful commentary. You will be well-equipped to write articles, reviews, and features that engage and educate readers.
Music Librarian
A music librarian manages and curates music collections, assisting researchers, musicians, and students in accessing musical resources. This course helps contextualize the understanding of musical eras, composers, and styles. The course's coverage of music notation and the evolution of musical forms helps in cataloging and organizing musical materials. The exploration of musical training and instruments may be useful for anyone involved in the organization and preservation of musical knowledge. A music librarian, possessing a deep understanding of music history, ensures that patrons can effectively engage with and learn from musical resources.
Opera Singer
As an opera singer, this course may be useful as it helps build an understanding of the historical context of opera, especially the Baroque period. You will gain some insight into the works of Monteverdi and Lully. Learning about the evolution of opera, including the development of the Da Capo Aria, helps you understand the nuances of the art form. The course's exploration of musical styles and compositional techniques helps you interpret and perform operatic roles. This course may be especially useful for anyone looking to specialize in early opera.
Video Game Composer
A video game composer creates music for video games, often drawing inspiration from historical periods and cultures to create immersive soundscapes. This course may be quite useful because it offers a broad overview of music history, from antiquity to the Baroque period. Learning about early instruments, musical notation, and the cultural contexts of different eras may be very helpful. The course's coverage of Gregorian chant and Renaissance music may be particularly useful for anyone working on games set in medieval or historical settings. This course helps one to create authentic and engaging music for video games.
Historical Instrument Maker
Historical instrument makers recreate instruments from specific periods, requiring an understanding of their construction, sound, and historical context. This course may be quite useful, focusing on the history of music and covering early instruments like harps and lyres, as well as instruments of the Renaissance. It may also be helpful when understanding the evolution of their designs. The material on musical examples and instrument types helps inform the maker about the historical sound and purpose of these instruments. Learning about the cultural context of these instruments helps in creating authentic reproductions.
Orchestrator
An orchestrator arranges musical compositions for orchestra, needing a deep understanding of instrumental capabilities and historical styles. This course helps one to develop a foundational understanding of music history, from ancient times to the Baroque period. The course helps build a knowledge base of musical instruments and their evolution over time. The course's exploration of composition techniques enhances your ability to arrange music that is stylistically appropriate for different historical periods. This course may be useful when one is working on period pieces or projects that require a deep understanding of musical styles.
Music Critic
As a music critic, one evaluates and critiques musical performances and recordings, providing informed commentary on their artistic merit and historical context. This course helps build a foundation of knowledge about music history, covering topics from ancient music to the Baroque period. Understanding the evolution of musical forms, compositional techniques, and the cultural influences on music throughout history allows one to provide insightful critiques. The course's exploration of various composers and musical styles may be particularly useful for anyone looking to contextualize their evaluations within a broader historical framework. This course may be helpful when developing a deeper appreciation for the nuances of musical expression.
Arts Administrator
An arts administrator manages and coordinates arts organizations, including music programs, requiring a broad understanding of music history and performance practices. This course may be useful as it covers the history of music from antiquity through the Baroque period. This course provides an overview of musical styles, composers, and cultural contexts. The course's exploration of sacred and secular music, as well as the evolution of musical notation and instruments, may allow the arts administrator to better understand the artistic and historical significance of the music they oversee.
Film Music Supervisor
A film music supervisor selects and licenses music for films, needing a broad knowledge of music history and styles to find appropriate pieces. This course may be useful when it comes to understanding the historical context of music, from ancient times to the Baroque era. Understanding this information provides a foundation for identifying suitable music for period pieces. The course's exploration of different composers, musical forms, and cultural influences may provide the supervisor with a broader palette of options. The course's focus on early music and the Renaissance may be particularly useful for anyone working on historical dramas or fantasy films.
Museum curator
A museum curator designs and manages music-related exhibits, requiring a deep understanding of music history and artifacts. This course helps understand artifacts. The course gives a broad overview of music history and explores musical instruments, notation, and cultural contexts. This course's coverage of early music, the Renaissance, and the Baroque period provides a solid foundation for curating exhibits that showcase the evolution of music. Understanding musical styles and composers allows them to create engaging and informative displays.

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 The Complete History of Music, COMPLETE: Parts 1, 2, and 3.
Richard Taruskin's multi-volume work monumental achievement in music historiography. The early volumes cover the periods discussed in this course in great detail, from antiquity through the Renaissance and Baroque. This standard reference work for music history students and professionals, offering in-depth analysis and scholarly perspectives.
Widely used textbook for undergraduate music history courses. It provides a comprehensive survey of Western music from its earliest beginnings to the present day. It good reference for the course, and it is helpful for students who want a more structured and detailed overview of the material.

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