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Jason Allen

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.

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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.

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 Counterpoint

  • How Inversion Names Work

  • 7th Chord Inversion Names

  • The Chordal 7th

  • Root Position V7 - I Resolutions in SATB Voicing

  • Inversions of V7 - I Resolutions in SATB Voicing

  • Exceptions to Voice Leading

  • Doubling Concerns in 7th Chords

  • Figured Bass

  • Figured Bass and Roman Numerals

  • Studying with Bach

  • "Realizing" Figured Bass

  • The Pre-Dominant Phrasing Area

  • Moving from Root Position IV to V Without Parallels

  • Predominant 7th Chords

  • Harmonization Steps

  • Finding Cadences

  • Finding the Right Chord Progression

  • Finding the Right Inversions

  • The Cadential 6/4

  • Chord Function

  • Writing Cadential 6/4 Chords

  • Neighboring 6/4 Chords

  • Pedal 6/4 Chords

  • Writing Neighboring 6/4 Chords

  • The Arpeggiating 6/4 Chord

  • Parallelism in Music

  • New Analysis Notations

  • The V7 as a Tonic Expansion

  • Other V7 Expansions

  • The Double-Neighbor V7 Expansion

  • Submediant Expansions

  • Chord Progression Sequences

  • Descending Fifth Progressions

  • Descending Sequences in Minor

  • Other Fifth Related Sequences

  • Making a Quick Key Change 

  • Part-Writing with Descending Fifth Sequences

  • Descending Third Sequences

  • Descending Thirds in Minor

  • Ascending Third Progressions

  • Progressions by Second

  • 4-Voiced Progressions by Second

  • Analysis: Canon in D

  • Analysis: Bach, Cello Suite No. 1

  • Finding Chords in Monophonic Music

  • Finding Chord Function in Bach

  • Secondary Dominant

  • Toniciziation

  • Key Modulation

  • Changing Keys

  • Practicing Harmonization

  • Melodies for Practice

  • Worksheets and Music for Practice

  • ...and much, much more.

And of course, once you sign up for this class, you automatically get huge discounts to 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. 

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Master college-level music theory class
  • Compose music in the style of bach and other baroque composers
  • Compose music in the style of many well-known 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

Welcome to the class! A few things to get out of the way before we dive in.
Introduction
Tools We Will Use
Update! MuseScore 3.0
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Perfect for those new to music theory or wanting to improve their skills
Covers a wide range of topics, from basic concepts to advanced techniques
Taught by an experienced and well-respected instructor
Can help learners develop a strong foundation in music theory
Provides access to exclusive content and discounts on future classes
Could benefit from more hands-on exercises and interactive activities

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive advanced music theory

According to students, this course is a highly comprehensive and college-level continuation that delves deep into advanced music theory concepts. Learners praise Dr. Allen's ability to provide crystal clear explanations for complex topics such as figured bass, voice leading, and secondary dominants. The course successfully builds upon knowledge from earlier parts of the series, with many reviewers finding the included worksheets and analysis examples particularly useful for practical application. While the material is described as challenging and requires significant effort, the focus on understanding chord function rather than rote memorization is highlighted as a game-changer for serious music students.
Assumes strong foundational knowledge.
"Builds perfectly on the previous parts."
"Definitely requires having completed parts 1-6 or having a strong foundational knowledge."
"Make sure you've done the earlier parts!"
"it assumes you remember *everything* from the previous parts."
Worksheets and examples aid learning.
"The worksheets provided excellent practice for applying the concepts."
"The analysis examples, especially Bach, were insightful."
"Worksheets are perfect for practice."
"I appreciated the practical examples and worksheets."
Thorough coverage of advanced theory.
"Very comprehensive coverage of advanced topics. The figured bass section was thorough..."
"This course cemented my understanding of secondary dominants and modulation."
"Solid course covering important advanced concepts like cadences and sequences."
"The sections on secondary dominants were particularly useful for my composition work."
Instructor explains complex theory clearly.
"Another amazing installment from Dr. Allen. The sections on figured bass and voice leading were incredibly clear..."
"Dr. Allen's approach minimizes memorization and helps you understand the function of chords, which makes everything click."
"Excellent continuation! The explanations are crystal clear, as always."
"The focus on understanding chord function rather than just rules is a game-changer."
Content is dense and requires effort.
"The material is challenging but presented in a way that makes it manageable."
"Sometimes the pace was a bit fast for me, requiring rewatching sections."
"the density of the material can be overwhelming at times."
"I found the figured bass realization challenging but rewarding with practice."

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 7, 8, & 9 with these activities:
Review concepts of major scales and key signatures
Prepares you with key foundational concepts before the course begins, making learning these concepts later easier.
Show steps
  • Study the notes that compose each major scale.
  • Go through the circle of fifths to understand how key signatures and scales are formed.
Read 'Harmony and Voice Leading' by Edward Aldwell and Carl Schachter
Provides theoretical depth and practical examples to reinforce concepts covered in class.
Show steps
  • Read a chapter from the book and summarize its main points.
  • Analyze a musical piece using the concepts discussed in the chapter.
Join a study group to discuss course material and work on assignments together
Facilitates peer learning, offering diverse perspectives and opportunities for problem-solving.
Browse courses on Music Theory
Show steps
  • Find a group of peers who are also taking the course.
  • Meet regularly to discuss the course material, work on assignments, and prepare for exams.
  • Take turns leading discussions and presenting different topics.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Explore online tutorials on specific topics, such as counterpoint or figured bass
Provides additional support and different perspectives on challenging topics.
Browse courses on Counterpoint
Show steps
  • Identify a specific topic that you want to improve your understanding of.
  • Find online tutorials or videos that cover that topic.
  • Follow the tutorials and complete any exercises or assignments provided.
Identify intervals and chords by ear
Develops your aural skills, making you more proficient in recognizing and manipulating musical elements.
Browse courses on Intervals
Show steps
  • Use an online ear training app or website to practice identifying intervals and chords.
  • Play simple melodies or chord progressions and try to identify them by ear.
Compose a short musical piece using the concepts learned in class
Allows you to apply your knowledge creatively, enhancing your understanding of the concepts.
Browse courses on Composition
Show steps
  • Choose a specific topic or musical form to work on (e.g., cadence, modulation).
  • Sketch out the basic structure of your piece and decide on the key and tempo.
  • Write out the melody, harmony, and rhythm for your piece.
  • Refine your piece by editing and making revisions based on what you have learned in class.
Analyze musical scores to identify harmonic progressions and voice leading techniques
Trains your analytical skills, enabling you to deconstruct and understand complex musical works.
Browse courses on Harmonic Analysis
Show steps
  • Choose a musical score that you are interested in.
  • Identify the harmonic progressions used in the score.
  • Analyze the voice leading techniques employed in the score.
Develop a presentation on a topic related to music theory, such as the history of harmony or the use of counterpoint in a specific composer's work
Gives you an opportunity to synthesize your knowledge, present your findings, and enhance your public speaking skills.
Browse courses on Music Theory
Show steps
  • Choose a topic that you are interested in and research it thoroughly.
  • Create a presentation that includes clear and concise slides, supporting evidence, and examples.
  • Practice your presentation and get feedback from peers or your instructor.

Career center

Learners who complete Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Part 7, 8, & 9 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Music Theory Teacher
The Music Theory Comprehensive Complete course is an excellent resource for aspiring and experienced Music Theory Teachers alike. The course covers a wide range of topics including music notation, scales, chords, rhythm, and harmony. This comprehensive knowledge will help you to teach music theory concepts more effectively to your students.
Musician
Musicians of all levels will benefit from taking the Music Theory Comprehensive Complete course. The course covers a wide range of topics essential for musicians, including music notation, scales, chords, rhythm, and harmony. This knowledge will help you to improve your musical skills including playing, singing, and composing.
Composer
Are you passionate about creating beautiful music? Then you need to sign up for the Music Theory Comprehensive Complete course. This course will deepen your knowledge of music theory concepts and give you advanced skills in composing and arranging music.
Music Producer
As a Music Producer, you need a solid understanding of music theory to create professional-sounding recordings. The Music Theory Comprehensive Complete course will provide you with the knowledge you need to produce music that is both technically sound and musically expressive.
Music Arranger
Music Arrangers take musical compositions and adapt them for different instruments or ensembles. The Music Theory Comprehensive Complete course will provide you with the skills you need to arrange music for a variety of settings, from small ensembles to full orchestras.
Sound Engineer
The Music Theory Comprehensive Complete course may be helpful for Sound Engineers who want to expand their knowledge of music theory. The course covers a wide range of topics including music notation, scales, chords, rhythm, and harmony. This knowledge can be helpful for understanding the musical content you are working with and making better decisions about how to mix and master it.
Music Librarian
The Music Theory Comprehensive Complete course may be helpful for Music Librarians who want to expand their knowledge of music theory. The course covers a wide range of topics including music notation, scales, chords, rhythm, and harmony. This knowledge can be helpful for cataloging and organizing music materials, as well as providing reference assistance to patrons.
Music Journalist
The Music Theory Comprehensive Complete course may be helpful for Music Journalists who want to expand their knowledge of music theory. The course covers a wide range of topics including music notation, scales, chords, rhythm, and harmony. This knowledge can be helpful for writing informed and insightful articles about music.
Music Teacher
The Music Theory Comprehensive Complete course may be helpful for Music Teachers who want to expand their knowledge of music theory. The course covers a wide range of topics including music notation, scales, chords, rhythm, and harmony. This knowledge can be helpful for teaching music theory concepts to students of all ages.
Music Therapist
The Music Theory Comprehensive Complete course may be helpful for Music Therapists who want to expand their knowledge of music theory. The course covers a wide range of topics including music notation, scales, chords, rhythm, and harmony. This knowledge can be helpful for using music to help clients achieve their therapeutic goals.
Opera Singer
The Music Theory Comprehensive Complete course may be helpful for Opera Singers who want to expand their knowledge of music theory. The course covers a wide range of topics including music notation, scales, chords, rhythm, and harmony. This knowledge can be helpful for understanding the music you are singing and performing it with greater expression.
Piano Tuner
The Music Theory Comprehensive Complete course may be helpful for Piano Tuners who want to expand their knowledge of music theory. The course covers a wide range of topics including music notation, scales, chords, rhythm, and harmony. This knowledge can be helpful for understanding the mechanics of the piano and tuning it accurately.
Music Critic
The Music Theory Comprehensive Complete course may be helpful for Music Critics who want to expand their knowledge of music theory. The course covers a wide range of topics including music notation, scales, chords, rhythm, and harmony. This knowledge can be helpful for writing informed and insightful reviews of musical performances and recordings.
Music Director
The Music Theory Comprehensive Complete course may be helpful for Music Directors who want to expand their knowledge of music theory. The course covers a wide range of topics including music notation, scales, chords, rhythm, and harmony. This knowledge can be helpful for leading and conducting musical ensembles.
Music Educator
The Music Theory Comprehensive Complete course may be helpful for Music Educators who want to expand their knowledge of music theory. The course covers a wide range of topics including music notation, scales, chords, rhythm, and harmony. This knowledge can be helpful for teaching music theory concepts to students of all ages.

Reading list

We've selected ten 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 7, 8, & 9.
Classic textbook on harmony and voice leading. It valuable resource for students who want to learn how to write and analyze music.
Classic textbook on counterpoint. It valuable resource for students who want to learn how to write and analyze music.
Classic textbook on orchestration. It valuable resource for students who want to learn how to write and analyze music for orchestra.
Comprehensive textbook on orchestration. It valuable resource for students who want to learn how to write and analyze music for orchestra.
Comprehensive handbook on music theory. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the history, development, and applications of music theory.
Comprehensive history of music theory. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the development of music theory over time.
Comprehensive dictionary of music and musicians. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the history, development, and applications of music theory.
Practical guide to music theory. It valuable resource for students who want to learn how to write, analyze, and perform music.
Comprehensive introduction to music theory. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the history, development, and applications of music theory.

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