This course is designed for those interested to learn about music theory, more specifically about musical chords, scales, and keys.
Read more.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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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 |
GREETINGS AND BLESSINGS... FROM THE AMERICA'S HEART!!! EL SALVADOR!!!
GREAT JOB!!!
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE. IT IS INTERESTING TO LEARN FROM EXPERTS LIKE YOU!!!
Great course
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
Great course
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!