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Music Theory Comprehensive Part 2: Chords, Scales, And Keys
5.0( 3 REVIEWS )
222 STUDENTS
5h 12m

This course is designed for those interested to learn about music theory, more specifically about musical chords, scales, and keys.

Read more.
Course Skill Level
Beginner
Time Estimate
5h 12m

Instructor

Jason Allen is a PhD in music, and was recently named one of the semi-finalists for the Grammy Foundations "Music Educator" award.

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About This Course

Who this course is for:

  • This course is designed for anyone who has wondered about music theory and is ready to fully explore it.
  • Songwriters, producers, and instrumentalists will benefit from this course by understanding music on a deeper level.

What you’ll learn: 

  • Identify Scales, Keys, and Chords by Sight
  • Create Music by Using Music Theory Principles
  • Find Any Chord, Key, or Scale by Applying Principles – Not Memorization

Requirements: 

  • Students who have taken Music Theory Comprehensive Part 1 – How To Read Music will benefit from some concepts, but it is not required.
  • This course assumes students know the basics of how to read music. (Those who can not identify notes in treble clef should start with Music Theory Comprehensive Part 1)

For years I’ve been teaching Music Theory in the college classroom. This course uses 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.

Recently I was named as a semi-finalist for the Grammy Foundation’s Music Educator of the Year award because of my in-person university classes. Now I’m taking those classes in an online format in order to reach more students, and give them the joy of Music Theory.

My approach to music theory is to minimize the 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.

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

This class is Part 2: Chords, Scales, and Keys.

Throughout this class, I’ll be providing you with 8 worksheets for you to practice the concepts on. If you get stuck, you can review the videos or post a question, and I’ll back to it as fast as possible. Also in this class, I have several complete analysis projects that we will complete together – just like in my college classes.

Dr. Jason Allen is an Ableton Certified Trainer and a Ph.D. in Music Composition and master of Electronic Sounds. His music has been heard internationally in film, radio, video games, and industrial sound, as well as the concert hall and theater. His 2015 album, Aniscorcia, reaching the CMJ Top200 Charts and radio broadcasts nationwide. In 2014 he was named a semi-finalist for the Grammy Music Educator Award.

He currently acts as an adjunct professor of composition at the University of St. Thomas, and the CEO of Slam Academy in Minneapolis.

Praise for classes by Dr. Jason Allen:

“Without a doubt the best explanation and east of use that one can get. It leaves you enough room to go explore. The classes go by quick, so you can be on your way at being proficient. What are you waiting for!”

“Amazing – Seriously Loved It! I took all his courses and have to say I’m so happy! Learned loads! Jason is an awesome teacher!”

“I have never had any formal training in music at all. Trying to learn all the notes and how everything translated was a serious challenge. After going through this class, Dr. J has totally brought down the barriers. The content was very useful and was easy to grasp for me.”

“I like these courses because you can get up and running quickly without having to spend hours of time wading through TMI (too much information!). Jason hits the high points but shows you what you need to know. Thanks!”

“I’ve watched many other videos on scales and chords before, however, this one has been the best. I now understand minor scales and chords and even how to analyze songs. It really gave me the confidence to start producing music because I feel like I have some structure and guidelines to follow. AWESOME!”

“Clear and Informative – Jason has a clear uncluttered style (with the important dashes of humor) of presentation that is focused on the important key aspects of this course. Recommended for those starting out!”

“Dr. Allen does it again with his music theory series. This course really opened up everything I learned from the 1st section, and now I understand more about the composition side of things for music. I highly highly recommend this course to anyone!!! Really opened my eyes to many things I wasn’t aware of.”

“The Best Teacher Ever, who makes you understand the ins & outs of Music Theory by all means without giving what you don’t want to know.”

Our Promise to You
By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge about musical chords, scales, and keys.

10 Day Money Back Guarantee. If you are unsatisfied for any reason, simply contact us and we’ll give you a full refund. No questions asked.

Get started today and learn more about musical chords, scales, and keys.

Course Curriculum

Section 1 - Introduction
Welcome And Overview 00:00:00
Tools We Will Use In this Course 00:00:00
DOWNLOAD: Staff Paper 00:00:00
Section 2 - Chromatic And Diatonic Scales
What Are Scales, And Why Do We Care? 00:00:00
Definitions: Chromatic And Diatonic 00:00:00
Ordered Pitch Class Collections 00:00:00
Chromatic Scales 00:00:00
Section 3 - The Major Scale
The Whole-Half Pattern 00:00:00
Scale Degrees And Tonic 00:00:00
Scale Degrees And Solfege 00:00:00
How To Practice 00:00:00
DOWNLOAD: Worksheet No. 1 00:00:00
Section 4 - Scales And Keys
Using Major Scales (Writing A Melody) 00:00:00
Melody Analysis 00:00:00
What Does It Mean To Be “In Key” 00:00:00
DOWNLOAD: Worksheet No. 2 00:00:00
Section 5 - Major Keys
Major Key Overview 00:00:00
What Is A Key Signature 00:00:00
Identifying Key Signatures 00:00:00
DOWNLOAD: Worksheet No. 3 00:00:00
Section 6 - Chords!
What Are Chords 00:00:00
Song Analysis 00:00:00
Triads 00:00:00
Building Triads 00:00:00
The Diatonic Chord Progression 00:00:00
Inversions 00:00:00
Roman Numerals 00:00:00
Song Analysis, Version 2 00:00:00
DOWNLOAD: Worksheet No. 4 00:00:00
Section 7 - Dissecting Triads
The Inside Of A Triad 00:00:00
The Third Holds The Power 00:00:00
Finding Chords By Half-Step 00:00:00
Finding Fifths By Thirds 00:00:00
DOWNLOAD: Worksheet No. 5 00:00:00
Section 8 - More With Triads
Diminished Triads 00:00:00
Augmented Triads 00:00:00
Adding More Octaves To Triads 00:00:00
Chords On The Guitar 00:00:00
DOWNLOAD: Worksheet No. 6 00:00:00
Section 9 - Pieces For Analysis
Analysis Overview 00:00:00
Analysis: Canon In D (Pachelbel) 00:00:00
Non-Chord Tones 00:00:00
Analysis: Minuet In G (Bach) – Part 1 00:00:00
Analysis: Minuet In G (Bach) – Part 2 00:00:00
Analysis: Minuet In G (Bach) – Part 3 00:00:00
DOWNLOAD: PDF Of Full Analysis 00:00:00
DOWNLOAD: Worksheet No. 7 00:00:00
Section 10 - 7th Chords
What Are 7th Chords 00:00:00
The Four Types Of 7th Chords 00:00:00
Major 7th Chords 00:00:00
Minor 7th Chords 00:00:00
Dominant 7th Chords 00:00:00
DOWNLOAD: PDF Of Minuet In G Including 7th Chords 00:00:00
Blues And The Dominant 7th Chord 00:00:00
DOWNLOAD: Worksheet No. 8 00:00:00
Section 11 - Wrap Up
What Comes Next 00:00:00
Thanks And Bye! 00:00:00

Course Review

5.0

5.0
3 Ratings
  1. Anonymous

    GREETINGS AND BLESSINGS... FROM THE AMERICA'S HEART!!! EL SALVADOR!!!

    5.0

    GREAT JOB!!!
    THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE. IT IS INTERESTING TO LEARN FROM EXPERTS LIKE YOU!!!

  2. Anonymous

    Great course

    5.0

    Very clear and Methodical, pitched just right (for me). Excellent stuff . A subject I have attempted several times and always get put off by the presentation. Not this time – Finally I have found someone who really knows how to teach this subject. On to the next one

  3. Anonymous

    Great course

    5.0

    Very methodical and clearly explained. I had plenty of light bulb moments and even started to join some dots together, It is pitched just right – not too fast or slow, very accessible and enjoyable for what can be a daunting subject. Thank you Jason. On to the next one!

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