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Music Composition 2: Tension & Release (Udemy.com)

Demystifying Music Composition Through Practical Exercises and Techniques for the Modern Composer and Songwriter

Created by: J. Anthony Allen

Last updated May 2026

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What you will learn

  • Write and Compose music using proven techniques and tips
  • Create their own music using software, or good old pencil and paper.
  • Generate musical ideas through creativity exercises
  • Sonata Form
  • The 4 Elements of Form
  • Example: Mozart, Moonlight Sonata
  • Composing with Sonata Form
  • Modern Uses of Sonata Form
  • Example: Muse, Butterflies and Hurricanes
  • Tension and Release with Meter
  • Compound Meters
  • Meter Signatures
  • Alternating Compound and Duple Meters
  • Using Rhythm for Altering Expectations
  • Rhythmic Patterns
  • Pattern Obfuscation
  • Example: Philip Glass, Truman Show Soundtrack
  • Example: Allen, Aporia
  • Using Harmony for Tension and Release
  • Consonance and Dissonance
  • Prolonging Dominant
  • Emphasized Resolution
  • Pedal Tones
  • Moving "Pedal Tones"
  • Example: Aphex Twin, Ventolin

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Course Description

** UDEMY BESTSELLER **

Welcome to the COMPLETE Music COMPOSITION AND FILM SCORING Guide!

This is a class designed for the average person who is ready to take their music career (or music interest) and develop it into something more. Whether you are an active musician or an aspiring musician, this class is perfect for you.

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

When most people think of a composer, they imagine someone sitting in a dusty attic with a grand piano, a big white wig, and the year is 1800. That might have been accurate back then, but the modern composer is just like you and me. In fact, I am one. 

In this course, I'll show you the techniques I use for writing music in a variety of styles and situations. I've worked with major American orchestras, film studios, and video game designers, so I've got more than a little experience. I'm also a Ph.D. in music composition and a university professor (of music composition). 

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 to Udemy in an online format in order to reach more students and give them the joy of Music Theory.

I'm planning on making several "sections" of this class, and this is Part 2. As the class grows, we will go deeper and deeper into my techniques. This class is focused on creating a sense of Tension and Release: one of the most fundamental concepts in music composition.

In this class, we will cover:

  • My background, and listen to some of my music

  • Why Tension and Release?

  • Tools of the trade: Software

  • Tools of the trade: Pencils and fine paper

  • Long Term and Short Term Tensions

  • Using Form for Tension and Release

  • Forms that Create Drama

  • Sonata Form

  • The 4 Elements of Form

  • Example: Mozart, Moonlight Sonata

  • Composing with Sonata Form

  • Modern Uses of Sonata Form

  • Example: Muse, Butterflies and Hurricanes

  • Tension and Release with Meter

  • Compound Meters

  • Meter Signatures

  • Alternating Compound and Duple Meters

  • Using Rhythm for Altering Expectations

  • Rhythmic Patterns

  • Pattern Obfuscation 

  • Example: Philip Glass, Truman Show Soundtrack

  • Example: Allen, Aporia

  • Using Harmony for Tension and Release

  • Consonance and Dissonance

  • Prolonging Dominant

  • Emphasized Resolution

  • Pedal Tones

  • Moving "Pedal Tones"

  • Example: Aphex Twin, Ventolin

  • Combining Multiple Techniques

  • Example: Mozart, Sonata in C

  • Example: Allen, Angle of Repose

  • Film Music and Tension Cues

  • Composing for Films

  • And much, much, more! 

And of course, once you sign up for this class, all my other classes are yours at steep discounts! Over half off for all future sections!

The course is a roadmap to launching your career as a composer!

All the tools you need to prepare, organize and start your career are 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.


** I guarantee that this course is the most thorough music business 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.

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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

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Students who register for this course will receive ongoing exclusive content and discounts for all future classes in the series. 

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Instructor Details

J. Anthony Allen

Dr. Allen is a 2026 Apple Distinguished Educator.

Dr. J. Anthony Allen is a distinguished composer, producer, educator, and innovator whose multifaceted career spans various musical disciplines. Born in Michigan and based in Minneapolis, Dr. Allen has composed orchestral works, produced acclaimed dance music, and, through his entrepreneurship projects, he has educated over a million students worldwide in music theory and electronic music production.


Dr. Allen's musical influence is global, with compositions performed across Europe, North America, and Asia. His versatility is evident in works ranging from Minnesota Orchestra performances to Netflix soundtracks. Beyond creation, Dr. Allen is committed to revolutionizing music education for the 21st century. In 2011, he founded Slam Academy, an electronic music school aimed at increasing accessibility to music production education. His innovative approach to academia was highlighted in 2024 when he received tenure and resigned from his university position on the same day.


As a composer, Dr. Allen is known for his unique synthesis of diverse musical influences, often blending acoustic music with electronic dance music elements. With a Ph.D. in Music Composition, multiple master's degrees, and numerous awards, Dr. Allen's academic and professional achievements are substantial.

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Reviews

4.4

189 ratings on Udemy

Select a bar to show only those reviews.Select the bar again to show every rating.

By Ran Ramat Gan on 3/10/2023

This class complements his first course, "Music Composition Techniques." They are concise. You should have some music theory knowledge (scales, chords, etc.) so that you can plug in and use this information right away. Just keep the learning curve simple for maximum benefit.

By Jorge Hernandez on 11/23/2020

J. is basically my music sensei at this point, highly recommend any of his music and Ableton classes. This is a good course to take in conjunction with his music theory courses.

By József Putz on 4/5/2019

This course shows how composer thinks. It is easy to follow and provides great thoughts about music. Composition analysis are good, however composing small real pieces can make this course better.

By Amanda Yates on 7/24/2018

This course gave me some great information on how to achieve tension and release in music, using examples from classical music and electronic (?) music. Although the techniques were well explained and illustrated, I would have been able to give this course 5 stars if it had also contained examples from popular music such as pop/rock/country. It would have been nice to see/hear examples that are more akin to the kind of music that I am attempting to write, but the information is there and I got a lot from this course.

By Mark Winrock on 3/2/2018

The core ideas behind the course are presented clearly and are easily comprehended with instructors approach, which is great! Two things prevented me from giving 5 star rating: 1) In several of the videos, content could be prepared ahead of time, rather than watching instructor draw on screen. 2) Audio produced from Musescore sometimes hard to hear and is not as clear as instructor's microphone.

By Carolin Fährmann on 8/18/2017

Loads of interesting stuff, feels like this course unleashed something I always felt but never was able to put into music. Now I have a bunch of new techniques and tools to play with. Loved it.

By Austin Abbamonte on 6/13/2017

An overall great course, but there are some continuity issues since some of these videos are recycled from Jason's other courses. For example, he says we will go back to the Greensleeves example to study the compound meter, but the next video has nothing to do with that. So the course is a bit sloppy/lazy in some areas but overall good.

By Frank Cifarelli on 11/29/2016

I've now taken J.'s Music Composition Techniques 1 and 2. Although I have a degree in Music Theory, the topics covered and the specific ways J. covers them were things I hadn't learned (as he himself admits, theory and composition require two different ways of thinking). I've already started pre-composition for pieces I've had sitting around for a while and feel like I have a lot more control over what I'm doing than I did. I bought these courses because I wanted to end the feeling of "poking around in the dark" and actually feel I was in charge of the music I was creating. To that end, J.'s Music Composition Techinues courses are a great way to advance. Thanks, J.!

By Patrick Gerten on 11/17/2016

Great course again! I like all his courses, because of the detail and clear explanation. I release dance tracks on labels and his courses helped a lot. My music is now more defined.

By Camron Taborda on 11/16/2016

Great class, Professor Allen is very sincere with his want for his students to succeed, and is more than willing to help the students who care enough to ask for help or even just questions about music. I've enrolled in about 8-10 of his classes now and have not been let down once. I am glad that I spent the money i did on these classes, they've helped take my music to the next level.

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Overall Score : 88 / 100