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Music Composition Bundle: Composition Levels 1 and 2 (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
  • Program music and metaphors
  • Character sketches
  • Writing through canon
  • Form
  • Binary, Ternary, and Rondo forms
  • Starting with a plan
  • Graphic form representations
  • Triads, and basic rules of harmony
  • Chord progressions
  • Inversions
  • Song analysis
  • Melody writing
  • Tools of the trade: Software
  • Tools of the trade: Pencils and fine paper

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Course Description

** UDEMY BESTSELLER **

Welcome to the COMPLETE Music COMPOSITION Guide!

This class series has been 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.

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 Composition.

This class is Part 1 and Part 2 combined into a single class.

In this class, we will cover:

  • My background, and listen to some of my music

  • The difference between music theory and music composition (highly opinionated!)

  • Tools of the trade: Software

  • Tools of the trade: Pencils and fine paper

  • How do you start?

  • The process

  • Program music and metaphors

  • Character sketches

  • Writing through canon

  • Form

  • Binary, Ternary, and Rondo forms

  • Starting with a plan

  • Graphic form representations

  • Triads, and basic rules of harmony

  • Chord progressions

  • Inversions

  • Song analysis

  • Melody writing

  • Principals of Orchestration

  • What Music Theory do we need to know?

  • To use a keyboard or not use a keyboard?

  • I'll include some sheet music for free!

  • 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 to 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

4.5

262 ratings on Udemy

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By Mikhail Khadyko on 3/2/2026

It is an ok introductory course. It tells about composition and the tools used to create movement between tension and release in music. It has some parts talking about harmony which are a bit disjointed and for those who do not already know it may seem confusing. For those who do know they may be a bit boring ubtil it is shown how they work in context of composition. The course is also more about modern music, electronic and soundtrack, which is fair.

By Nick Sibbald on 9/5/2025

A good course for learning important concepts about the art of composition. Tricks to get started writing a new piece as well as related music theory. The course is set at beginner and intermediate level and is fairly easy to follow.

By Kathleen Lee Roberts on 7/22/2025

Love the teacher... great to listen to and to engage with.. amazing also watch the expert in action and demonstrate how to compose amazing melodies using tried and tested techniques. Am really loving this course

By Kay Tracy on 3/16/2025

I love this entire series. I don’t understand why you don’t mention Notion by PreSonus when discussing notation software. I think it was purchased by Fender Music but the name has stayed the same.

By Tamás Sebestyén on 2/22/2025

I've got a bunch of new ideas to go forward with, thanks a lot for this course! :) I was quite surprised to hear Hungarian mentions as well in the name of Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály about the bird sounds. What is missing for me and you might have a course about it is writing for orchestra. That would be a huge thing (for me at least). Looking forward for more of your lectures!

By David Meikle on 1/21/2025

Another well presented and enjoyable course. As a self taught and ongoing piano and composition student this course clarified most of my composition questions. Like a previous review, I too think the course would benefit from having practical exercises. Great course many thanks. p.s please don't ever make me listen to Aphex twin again :-)

By Benjamin Ulfenborg on 5/21/2024

Really great course for introduction to composition. Overlaps to some extent with the music theory comprehensive classes, but not much. Several good techniques to composition are covered, though I would have wished for practical exercises where those techniques are applied.

By Anna Ceguerra on 9/21/2023

this course is just what I'm looking for. I studied music to do exams, and I recently discovered the joy of music composing with a composer. since she left, I realised I can't do it on my own. I think this course is pitched at the right level for me, with music knowledge long forgotten and just starting to come back.

By Sebastian Hepp on 7/29/2021

Der Kurs vermittelt die Informationen sehr verständlich (auch für Einsteiger) und gleichzeitig sehr interessant. Ich wollte nach einer Lektion immer noch Eine hören. Und dann noch Eine, usw. Nur in Teil 2 gab es mal eine kurze Stelle (10 Minuten) die ich am liebsten übersprungen hätte. Das lag aber sicher an mir, denn ich konnte in den Beispielen nicht ganz raushören, was da jetzt so toll klingen soll. Ich bin eben ganz neu im Thema Musik und habe (hoffentlich noch) kein gutes Gehör. :-D Da ich bereits einen weiteren Kurs von J. Allen abgeschlossen habe, kann ich sagen, dass der Dozent eine sehr angenehme und sehr gut verständliche Sprache hat. Das ist mir z.B. immer sehr wichtig.

By Magno Kretzschmar Nardin on 7/1/2021

O melhor professor de música da Udemy. Recomendo a todos qualquer um dos cursos do Prof. Jason Allen. O seu domínio sobre todos os aspectos da música e a sua didática fazem dos seus cursos a melhor escolha sempre!

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Overall Score : 90 / 100