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J. Anthony Allen

Welcome to the

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

In this course we will look at the world during the start of the Baroque period (approximately 1600 - 1750), through the lens of music. This period brings us the beginnings of the Orchestra and Opera, as well as some names you might be familiar with: Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel.

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

Topics Covered: 

Read more

Welcome to the

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

In this course we will look at the world during the start of the Baroque period (approximately 1600 - 1750), through the lens of music. This period brings us the beginnings of the Orchestra and Opera, as well as some names you might be familiar with: Bach, Vivaldi, and Handel.

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

Topics Covered: 

  • 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

  • And much, much more.

Dr. Allen is a university music professor and is an award-winning 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.

In this course, we will focus the entire course on the Baroque period. 

By the end of this course, if you follow along, you will be ready to win the dinner party with your knowledge of the Baroque and the unique aspects of the music that was happening during this exciting period of history.

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 - 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

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • In this course, students will learn about the music that was happening during the baroque, and the social and political environments that influenced it.
  • Students will learn how early opera was a keystone to baroque music.
  • Students will learn how songs developed all over europe simultaneously in germany, france, england, spain, and other countries.

Syllabus

We start to see the rise of purely instrumental music in this period, with organ music, the continuo, and other devices.
Introduction
Instrumental Types and Styles of Music
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores the social and political environments that shaped Baroque music, offering a rich, contextual understanding of the era's musical landscape
Covers the rise of instrumental music, including organ music and the continuo, which are foundational elements of Baroque composition and performance
Examines the development of opera across Europe, from Italy to France and England, highlighting the unique national styles and contributions
Taught by an award-winning university music professor recognized by the Grammy Foundation, which may enhance the learning experience
Focuses on the early Baroque period (1600-1750), which is part of a larger series, suggesting a comprehensive exploration of music history

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Reviews summary

Engaging early baroque music deep dive

According to learners, this course provides a highly positive and engaging journey into Early Baroque music. Students consistently praise the instructor, Dr. Jason Allen, highlighting his passion and expertise which make the lectures accessible and enjoyable. The course structure is commended for moving beyond rote memorization, emphasizing the rich cultural and historical context. The integration of essential listening examples is seen as a major strength, helping students gain a deep understanding. While part of a series, many find it works well as a standalone study of this specific era.
Works well as a standalone course on the era.
"Having taken the previous parts definitely helped, but this section seemed comprehensive on its own."
"While it's Part 3, I found I could jump in here with a basic history background."
"As a standalone course focusing on Early Baroque, I found it very complete."
The course is well-organized and easy to follow.
"The structure of the course made it easy to progress through the material logically."
"Everything was explained very clearly, building block by block."
"Well-organized lectures covering all the key areas of the period."
Music examples are well-integrated and essential.
"The inclusion of so many relevant listening examples is fantastic; it brings the music to life."
"Couldn't imagine learning this without the curated listening list - it's key."
"The way the examples are tied to the concepts discussed is very effective."
Explores music within its historical and cultural setting.
"I really appreciate that the course focuses on the history and social context, not just names and dates."
"This class is excellent for understanding the background and why the music sounds the way it does."
"Provides a much deeper understanding than just listening or reading about composers."
Dr. Allen is highly engaging and knowledgeable.
"Dr. Allen is so passionate about the topic, it makes the lectures incredibly engaging and easy to follow."
"The instructor's enthusiasm is infectious and his expertise shines through..."
"Jason is really quick and great with questions, always a great resource for an online class."

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, Part 3: The Early Baroque with these activities:
Review Basic Music Theory
Strengthen your understanding of music theory concepts like harmony, notation, and ornamentation, which are essential for grasping the nuances of Baroque music.
Browse courses on Music Theory
Show steps
  • Review scales, chords, and key signatures.
  • Practice identifying intervals and chord progressions.
  • Familiarize yourself with common musical terms.
Read 'Music in the Baroque' by Manfred Bukofzer
Gain a deeper understanding of the Baroque era's musical landscape by exploring a comprehensive text that covers key composers, genres, and stylistic developments.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Music in the Baroque Era'.
  • Read the chapters relevant to the course syllabus.
  • Take notes on key concepts and composers.
Create a Playlist of Early Baroque Music
Deepen your familiarity with Baroque music by curating a playlist that showcases the diverse styles and composers covered in the course.
Show steps
  • Research representative pieces from the course syllabus.
  • Select pieces that showcase different styles and composers.
  • Organize the playlist in a logical order.
  • Write brief descriptions for each piece.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Explore 'Baroque Music Today' by Nicholas Anderson
Gain insights into the performance practice of Baroque music and how it is interpreted today, enhancing your appreciation for the nuances of the era.
Show steps
  • Acquire a copy of 'Baroque Music Today'.
  • Read the chapters on performance practice.
  • Listen to recordings that exemplify these practices.
Research and Present on a Baroque Composer
Solidify your knowledge by conducting in-depth research on a specific Baroque composer and presenting your findings in a structured format.
Show steps
  • Choose a composer from the Baroque period.
  • Research their life, works, and influence.
  • Prepare a presentation with audio examples.
  • Present your findings to a peer or group.
Analyze a Da Capo Aria
Develop your analytical skills by dissecting a Da Capo Aria, identifying its structure, harmonic language, and expressive qualities.
Show steps
  • Select a Da Capo Aria from the course materials.
  • Transcribe the aria's structure (A-B-A).
  • Analyze the harmonic progressions and melodic contours.
  • Write a short essay on your findings.
Write a Blog Post on Baroque Ornamentation
Reinforce your understanding of Baroque ornamentation by writing a blog post that explains its purpose, types, and application.
Show steps
  • Research different types of Baroque ornamentation.
  • Find examples of ornamentation in Baroque scores.
  • Write a clear and concise blog post explaining ornamentation.
  • Include audio or visual examples.

Career center

Learners who complete The Complete History of Music, Part 3: The Early Baroque will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Music Historian
A career as a music historian involves researching, analyzing, and interpreting musical works and their historical context. This course helps build a foundation for contextualizing Baroque music within its historical period. Understanding the politics of the world during the Baroque, as taught in this course, is essential for any music historian. By exploring the music and culture of the Baroque period, this course is particularly useful for those aspiring to become music historians. Knowing about the cultural and political environment, the Affections, harmony, notation, ornamentation, and forms such as the Toccata will help any music historian.
Private Music Teacher
Private music teachers provide individualized instruction to students. For those teaching classical music, this course may be useful in providing a strong foundation in music history, particularly the Baroque era. Understanding the historical context and performance practices of the period can enhance a teacher's ability to educate and inspire students. Learning about the history of music, what happened in countries such as Germany, France, England, and Spain, and the history of opera can all help a private music teacher.
Music Teacher
A music teacher educates students in music theory, history, and performance. This course gives music teachers a background in the history of Baroque music, its composers, and its cultural context. The course helps build a foundation for teaching music history and providing students with a deeper understanding of the Baroque era. Learning about the origins of opera, the concerto, and the sonata can help create lessons. The course may also be useful as it covers Lully, Purcell, and Scarlatti.
Orchestral Conductor
Orchestral conductors lead orchestras in rehearsals and performances. This course helps the listener understand the origins of the orchestra and developments in instrumental music during the Baroque period. Understanding the historical context and musical styles of the era is crucial for an orchestral conductor. This course explores the rise of instrumental music, the concerto, and the works of composers like Corelli and Scarlatti, all of which can help an orchestral conductor interpret and perform Baroque orchestral works. The course may also be useful as it covers the dance suite, French opera, and English opera.
Archivist
Archivists are responsible for appraising, organizing, and preserving historical records and documents. For an archivist specializing in musical archives, understanding the historical context and significance of musical materials from the Baroque period is essential. This course helps archivists properly classify and preserve scores, letters, and other documents related to Baroque music. Learning about the Baroque musical style, the affections, and the instrumental music and styles of music can help the archivist.
Opera Director
An opera director is responsible for the artistic and dramatic aspects of an opera production. This course provides insights into the origins and development of opera during the Baroque period, which may be helpful in directing Baroque operas. Understanding the historical context, musical styles, and performance practices of the era is crucial for an opera director. This course explores the beginnings of opera, the role of the diva, and the works of composers like Monteverdi, Lully, and Purcell, all of which can help an opera director in bringing Baroque operas to life on stage. Topics such as The Affections, early opera, and developments in opera will be helpful.
Music Critic
The role of a music critic is to evaluate and critique musical performances and recordings. This course may be helpful in providing the historical context and knowledge of musical styles necessary for informed critique of Baroque music. As a music critic, familiarity with the composers, forms, and styles of the Baroque era is essential. The course's focus on early opera, the rise of instrumental music, and the developments in various European countries provides a basis for contextualizing and evaluating Baroque musical works. The course may also be useful as it covers Monteverdi, Lully, Purcell, and Scarlatti.
Choral Director
A choral director leads a choir or choral group. This course may be useful for choral directors who perform Baroque-era choral works. Knowing a piece's historical context helps build a foundation for directing a performance. The course covers music in the Catholic and Lutheran churches, instrumental types of music, and composers such as Carissimi and Schutz, all of which may be applicable to choral repertoire from the Baroque period. Learning about the affections, harmony, notation, and ornamentation can make a choral director better.
Ethnomusicologist
Ethnomusicologists study music in its cultural context. This course may be useful in understanding the cultural and social influences on music during the Baroque era. The course touches on the music of different cultures, including Jewish music and music in Spain, which can give an ethnomusicologist context. Learning about the politics of the world during the Baroque, the affections, and developments in opera will also be helpful.
Music Librarian
Music librarians manage and preserve musical scores, recordings, and other music-related materials. This course may assist a music librarian to better understand and categorize Baroque music. Such a librarian may find the course's focus on the Baroque period, its composers, and its musical forms valuable. This course will help inform cataloging and understanding the historical significance of various pieces such as Monteverdi's operas and Corelli's sonatas. It will be helpful for a music librarian to know about the development of songs all over Europe.
Historical Instrument Maker
Historical instrument makers create replicas of instruments from specific historical periods. This course may be helpful in understanding the construction, design, and use of instruments during the Baroque era. By learning about the instrumental types of music, the toccata, and the sonata, a historical instrument maker can better understand the instruments of the era. A historical instrument maker may find the course useful as it covers organ music and other instrumental music.
Content Creator
Content creators produce material for various platforms like YouTube, podcasts, or blogs. This course provides a solid background in Baroque music history and related cultural details, making it ideal for creators who wish to specialize in classical music content. Knowledge of Baroque composers, their works, and the historical context, as covered in this course, allows for creating accurate and engaging content. This course may be helpful for creating content about the early Baroque, opera and the orchestra.
Arts Administrator
Arts administrators manage and oversee the operations of arts organizations. This course may be useful in providing a broader understanding of music history, particularly the Baroque period, which can inform decision-making related to programming and fundraising. Arts administrators working with orchestras, opera companies, or other musical organizations may find the course helpful in understanding the historical context and significance of the music they are promoting. This course touches on music in the Catholic Church, in the Lutheran Church, and Jewish music.
Music Therapist
Music therapists use music to address patients' physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. This course may be useful in understanding the historical and cultural context of music, which can inform the selection of music for therapeutic interventions. Music therapists may find the course useful as it covers harmony, notation, and ornamentation, which can help a therapist to use music in a therapeutic way. A music therapist may also find the course useful as it covers the affections.
Music Supervisor
Music supervisors select and license music for film, television, and other media. This course may be helpful in understanding the historical context of Baroque music, which can inform music choices for period pieces or other projects. A music supervisor may find the course useful as it covers the early Baroque period, and composers such as Monteverdi, Lully, and Purcell. The course may also be useful as it covers the opera and the orchestra.

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, Part 3: The Early Baroque.
This book, written in German, offers a comprehensive overview of Baroque music. It covers the historical context, major composers, and stylistic features, providing detailed analyses and insights. It serves as an excellent textbook or reference for students seeking a deeper understanding of the period, especially regarding German composers and musical developments.
Explores the performance practice of Baroque music, focusing on how it is interpreted and performed today. It provides insights into ornamentation, improvisation, and historical instruments. This book is more valuable as additional reading than it is as a current reference. It adds depth to the course by providing a modern perspective on Baroque music.

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