Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Parts 13, 14, & 15 from Udemy

Welcome to the

This course is "5-Star Certified" by the International Association of Online Music Educators and Institutions (IAOMEI). This course has been independently reviewed by a panel of experts and has received a stellar 5-star rating.

This is a class designed for the average person who is ready to take their music career (or music interest) and level up. Whether you are an active musician, an aspiring musician, or an aspiring music manager or agent - 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.

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.

This class is a combined class and includes all parts 13, 14, and 15.

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

In this class, we will cover:

Modulation and Tonicization
Rules for Modulation
Using Pivot Chords
Analyzing Mozart
Modulating to V using Pivot Chords
Modulating to the Relative Major Using Pivot Chords
Pivoting from I to IV
Pivoting from i to v
Rules of Pivoting
Direct Modulations
Abrupt Modulations
Analyzing Bach
Modulations by Secondary Dominant
Modulation Challenge
Mary Had a Little Modulation
New Developments in Form
Binary Form
Rounded Binary Form
Binary Form in a Minor Key
Phrasing in Binary Form
Balanced Binary Form
Simple Ternary Form
Composite Ternary Form
Baroque Era Contrapuntal Devices
The Subject
Fortspinnung
Compound Melody
Step Progressions
Analyzing the Subject
Real and Tonal Answers
The Countersubject
Invertible Counterpoint
Double and Triple Counterpoint
Exposition Analysis
The Episode
Analyzing the Episode
Graphing a Fugue
Double and Triple Fugues
Stretto
Inversion
Augmentation
Diminution
Canon
Why do we care about Fugues?
Mode Mixture
4-Voice Harmony in Mixture Settings
Modification to Earlier Rules
Solfege in Chromatic Settings
The Chromatic Pre-Dominant Chords
The Neapolitan Six Chord
Analysis: Moonlight Sonata (Beethoven)
Analysis: Piano Sonata in D Major (Mozart)
Italian Augmented 6th Chords
French Augmented 6th Chords
German Augmented 6th Chords
Resolutions to Augmented 6th Chords
Analysis: Mozart String Quartet
How to Study for Music Theory Placement Tests
...and much, much more.

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, as per Udemy Policy)

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

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
Secondary dominants
Neapolitan chords
French augmented six chords
German augmented six chords
Italian augmented six chords
And much, much, more!
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
Secondary dominants
Neapolitan chords
French augmented six chords
German augmented six chords
Italian augmented six chords
And much, much, more!
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

Introduction

Tools you will need for this class

[Download] Staff Paper

Review!

The Full MuseScore File

[Download] Master Example File

We've looked at Tonicization already, let's figure out the difference between tonicization and modulation.

Modulation Vs. Tonicization

Rules for Modulation

Now that we are up to speed on modulation, let's look at one of the most common ways to do it - using pivot chords.

Using Pivot Chords

Mozart, Piano Sonata in D Major

Analyzing the Pivot Chord

Modulating to V using Pivot Chords

Modulating to the Relative Major using Pivot Chords

Pivoting from I to IV

Pivoting from i to v

Rules of Pivot Chords

Using pivot chords is not the only way to modulation. In this section we will explore a few other ways in which composers will modulation to a new key.

Abrupt Modulations

Bach, O haupt voll blut und wunden

Modulations in Bach

Bach Errors?

Modulation by Secondary Dominant

In this section, we will see if we can use a modulation type to make a melody modulation that otherwise shouldn't.

The Modulation Game

Mary Had A Little Modulation

The Easy Part

The Modulation

The Cadence

There is a connection between form and modulation - the key informs the form. Let's examine that in this section.

New Developments in Form

Listening

[Download] Score

Rounded Binary

The B Section

Rounded Binary Recap

Binary in a Minor Key

Phrasing in Binary Form

Balanced Binary Form

If binary form is two sections, ternary form is three, right? Not quite.

Simple Ternary Form

Composite Ternary Form

Form Summary

That's all for now! Be sure to check out the few extra things in this section!

What comes next? The Fugue!

Thanks for Watching!

Welcome to Part 14!

Tools You Will Need

A Little Review

The Master Example File

[Download] The Full MuseScore File

We've looked at a lot of counterpoint so far, but the fugue is kind of the ultimate in counterpoint, and it comes to us from the Baroque Period.

What Exactly Are We Talking About Here?

The Subject

Fortspinnung

Compound Melody

Step Progressions

The first part of the fugue is the exposition. Let's take a look at the elements of the exposition in this section.

How to Listen to Fugues and Inventions

[Download] Bach, Fugue in G Minor

Analyzing the Subject

Real and Tonal Answers

The Countersubject

Invertible, Double, and Triple Counterpoint

Exposition Analysis

[Download] Bach, Fugue in G minor with Exposition Analysis

The second big section of the fugue is the Episode. Let's take a look at how these work in this section.

The Episode, Defined

Analyzing the Episode

Graphing a Fugue

[Download] Graph Analysis

Another Episode Example

Now we know the basic structure of the fugue, but composers like to add "tricks" to the basic format.

Beyond the Basic Fugue

Double and Triple Fugues

Listening: Bach, St. Anne Fugue

Stretto

[Download] Bach, Fugue in C Major

Inversion

Augmentation

Diminution

Canon

[Download] Bach, Invention No. 2 in C Minor

Why Do We Care About Fugues?

What Comes Next? New Harmonies and Mode Mixture!

Welcome to Part 15!

Introduction (Part 15)

Tools!

Review

[Download] MuseScore Master File

In this section we will look at the main principal behind mode mixture.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Covers modulation, binary form, fugues, and mode mixture, which are essential concepts for understanding and composing complex musical pieces

Includes analysis projects of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart, offering practical insights into the compositional techniques of master composers

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

Explores Baroque era contrapuntal devices, such as subject, countersubject, and invertible counterpoint, which are foundational for understanding complex musical textures

Examines augmented sixth chords (Italian, French, and German), which are advanced harmonic concepts used to create tension and color in music

Builds upon prior knowledge of music theory, as it covers advanced topics such as modulation, fugues, and mode mixture, which may require a solid foundation

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: Parts 13, 14, & 15 with these activities:

Review Basic Chord Construction

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of basic chord construction to better grasp modulation and advanced harmonic concepts.

Show steps

Review the definitions of major, minor, diminished, and augmented triads.
Practice building triads and seventh chords in all inversions.
Identify chords in simple musical excerpts.

Create a Modulation Cheat Sheet

Show steps

Consolidate your knowledge of modulation techniques by creating a cheat sheet summarizing the different methods and their applications.

Show steps

Review the different modulation techniques covered in the course.
Summarize each technique in a concise and easy-to-understand format.
Include examples of each technique.
Organize the cheat sheet for easy reference.

Read 'Tonal Harmony' by Stefan Kostka

Show steps

Deepen your understanding of tonal harmony principles to better analyze and compose music in various forms.

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

Show steps

Read the chapters related to modulation, form, and advanced harmonic techniques.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Analyze musical examples from the book.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Explore 'Counterpoint' by Kent Kennan

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of counterpoint to better appreciate and analyze fugues and other contrapuntal works.

View The Technique of Orchestration on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters on invertible counterpoint, canon, and fugue.
Complete the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Analyze examples of counterpoint from the book.

Compose a Short Piece with Modulation

Show steps

Apply your knowledge of modulation techniques by composing a short piece that modulates to a related key.

Show steps

Choose a key and a related key to modulate to.
Plan the harmonic progression, including pivot chords or other modulation techniques.
Compose a melody and harmonize it with appropriate chords.
Refine the piece and ensure smooth voice leading.

Analyze Bach Chorales

Show steps

Sharpen your analytical skills by analyzing Bach chorales for modulations, non-chord tones, and voice leading.

Show steps

Obtain a collection of Bach chorales.
Analyze the harmonic progression of each chorale.
Identify modulations, pivot chords, and non-chord tones.
Examine the voice leading and identify any parallel fifths or octaves.

Create a Fugue Analysis Presentation

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of fugue structure by creating a presentation analyzing a fugue of your choice.

Show steps

Select a fugue to analyze.
Identify the subject, answer, countersubject, and episodes.
Create a visual representation of the fugue's structure.
Prepare a presentation explaining your analysis.

Career center

Learners who complete Music Theory Comprehensive Complete: Parts 13, 14, & 15 will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Composer

A composer creates original musical works, and this course helps build a foundation in advanced music theory, essential for crafting complex and nuanced compositions. The course includes analysis of pieces by Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. Understanding modulation, form, and counterpoint, as taught in this course, allows a composer to create pieces with a wider range of expression and structure. The study of harmony, including augmented sixth chords, will also enable a composer to enrich their harmonic language. Because this course emphasizes a conceptual understanding of music theory, a composer will be able to apply these principles in their own, unique ways.

See salaries and explore the career path for Composer

Music Arranger

A music arranger adapts existing musical pieces for different instruments or ensembles, often requiring a deep understanding of music theory. This course provides a thorough study of modulation, counterpoint, and form. Such knowledge is crucial for a music arranger to effectively re-imagine pieces by manipulating their structure and harmonic language. The course's detailed analysis of works by masters like Bach and Mozart enables a music arranger to understand how these composers manipulated musical structures, which informs their own approaches to arrangement. This course will especially help anyone who desires to arrange music by introducing to them a wide variety of theoretical concepts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Arranger

Music Educator

A music educator teaches musical concepts and skills to students, and a strong grasp of music theory is necessary. This course is ideal for individuals looking to develop a college-level understanding of music theory and prepare for teaching positions. The course's curriculum, which mirrors that of a college classroom, covers essential topics like modulation, form, counterpoint, and harmony. This course also offers analysis of music by Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart, so that a music educator can model different approaches to music analysis. With this course, a music educator will be prepared to teach music at many levels.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Educator

Orchestrator

An orchestrator assigns musical ideas to specific instruments, and this course provides a thorough understanding of musical structure, form, and harmonic language. This course's exploration of modulation, form, counterpoint, and harmony enables an orchestrator to arrange parts for different instruments with greater sophistication and nuance. The course, because it studies the works of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart, will be especially useful. The analysis included within the course will provide an orchestrator with ideas on how to make use of different instrument combinations. The study of mode mixture also provides an orchestrator with a wide variety of timbral and textural opportunities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Orchestrator

Music Director

A music director leads musical ensembles, and this course helps to develop an advanced understanding of music theory. Understanding concepts such as modulation, form, and counterpoint will enable a music director to create more compelling and expressive performances. The course also provides detailed analyses of musical works of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart, which a music director can use to inform their approach to interpretation. The course's comprehensive approach to music theory makes it an appropriate choice for future conductors and music directors. This coursework is especially valuable to individuals who wish to develop their theoretical knowledge.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Director

Film Score Composer

A film score composer creates music for films, and this course helps develop an advanced knowledge of music theory. The course explores modulation, form, and counterpoint, which allows one to write effective, creative, and emotionally resonant music. Lessons on analyzing the works of Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven are useful to a film score composer. They can use this knowledge to inform their own approach to composing cinematic scores. The study of mode mixture, also included in the course, is useful to film composers that need to expand the emotional palette of their music. All of these theoretical skills are useful to a film score composer.

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 helps to develop an advanced knowledge of music theory. The study of modulation, form, and counterpoint will enable a video game composer to create effective musical works. This course also provides analysis of pieces by Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven that can inform one's approach to composing music. This helps a video game composer because varied and textured music is important for a player to feel immersed in the world of the game. The understanding of mode mixture, furthermore, is particularly beneficial to the video game composer, who must be able to write music with a wide variety of moods.

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Music Critic

A music critic evaluates and analyzes musical works, and this course provides a strong foundation in music theory, which is essential to music criticism. The course's detailed exploration of modulation, form, and counterpoint helps a music critic understand the structure and composition of both classical and modern music. The analysis projects on Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven can also inform a music critic's own approach to analysis and evaluation. The coursework also provides specific examples of the various ways that composers manipulate musical structures, which is useful to a music critic. Therefore, the coursework will be useful for a music critic.

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Musicologist

A musicologist studies the history and theory of music, and this course may be useful for those who want to develop a comprehensive understanding of music theory. The course provides detailed explorations of modulation, counterpoint, and form, which will be particularly helpful to a musicologist. This course provides direct analysis of works by Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, so that a musicologist can learn how to analyze music from different historical periods. The study of fugue is likewise valuable to a musicologist because this technique was very widely employed during certain historical periods. This course may be beneficial to a future musicologist.

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Choir Director

A choir director leads vocal ensembles, and this course may be useful in their instruction and performance. A choir director must understand how musical structures work, so the course's detailed look at modulation, form, and counterpoint will be useful. The course also provides specific analysis of works by Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, so a future choir director can analyze how composers use the elements of music to inform their own conducting. The study of mode mixture is likewise useful to a choir director, as choirs often make use of borrowed chords. A choir director may find this course beneficial.

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Sound Designer

A sound designer creates and manipulates audio elements, such as special effects, for various media. This course may be useful because of the sound designer's need for a general understanding of music theory. The sound designer who hopes to include musical elements in his or her work would benefit from this course's coverage of modulation, form, and counterpoint. This course also analyses pieces by Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, which can provide a sound designer with ideas on how to use musical elements in effective ways. The study of mode mixture is also useful because a sound designer can use these techniques to add emotional texture to his or her work. This course may be beneficial for a sound designer.

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Audio Engineer

An audio engineer works with recording, mixing, and mastering audio, which may benefit from a foundational understanding of music theory. This course explores advanced topics in music theory, including modulation, form, and counterpoint. The coursework also includes analysis of works by Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, which can provide a useful background for an audio engineer who wishes to be able to more fully understand musical structures. An audio engineer may see benefit in this course. The study of mode mixture also expands one's musical knowledge.

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Musical Instrument Technician

A musical instrument technician repairs and maintains musical instruments. This course may be useful because a musical instrument technician should have some background knowledge of music itself. The course covers many advanced concepts in music theory, including modulation, form, and counterpoint, which might help an instrument technician in his or her work. This course provides analysis of pieces by Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven that may be useful, as well. An instrument technician may find this course useful.

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Talent Agent

A talent agent represents musicians, and this course may be useful in order for a talent agent to gain a basic understanding of music theory. While a talent agent may not need to possess specific compositional skills, they might find it beneficial to understand the basics of modulation, form, and counterpoint. The course also analyses multiple pieces by Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven that might inform a talent agent's capacity to analyze music. A talent agent may find this course helpful.

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Music Therapist

A music therapist uses music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. While this role does not typically require a deep understanding of music theory, this course may be helpful for those who wish to expand their musical knowledge. The course covers a variety of topics including modulation, form, and counterpoint, which a music therapist may wish to explore. This course also includes analysis of many pieces by Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, which may be useful in building a theoretical understanding of music. This course may be beneficial to a future music therapist.

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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: Parts 13, 14, & 15.

Tonal Harmony

Save

Tonal Harmony comprehensive textbook widely used in undergraduate music theory courses. It provides a thorough grounding in the principles of tonal music, covering harmony, voice leading, and form. is particularly useful for understanding the underlying principles behind modulation, tonicization, and the use of advanced harmonic techniques discussed in the course. It serves as an excellent reference for analyzing musical examples and completing assignments.

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

Hardcover

$$$

The Technique of Orchestration

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Kent Kennan's 'Counterpoint' classic text that delves into the art of combining independent melodic lines. It offers a comprehensive exploration of contrapuntal techniques, including invertible counterpoint, canon, and fugue. is particularly valuable for understanding the Baroque Era Contrapuntal Devices and Fugue analysis covered in the course. It provides detailed explanations and numerous examples to illustrate the principles of good counterpoint.

The Technique of Orchestration

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The Technique of Orchestration

Kindle Edition

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Music Theory Comprehensive Complete

Parts 13, 14, & 15

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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