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Music Theory Comprehensive Complete! (Parts 1, 2, & 3) (Udemy.com)

A Complete College-Level Music Theory Curriculum. **IAOMEI Certified**

Created by: J. Anthony Allen

Last updated December 2025

Our take

Based on the ratings of 23,763 students, a sample of their written reviews and the syllabus, as the course stood in December 2025. No course pays to be reviewed.

This is three of J. Anthony Allen's college music theory classes stitched into one 12 hour package: notation and rhythm first, then scales, keys and chords, then the circle of fifths, compound meters and minor keys. It's built for people who have never read a note, and the syllabus shows it starting with the keyboard layout and the dots on the staff. Musicians who play by ear and want to know what they are actually doing will get the most from it. The last update was December 2025, so it isn't a stale upload from 2016, even if the early sections have been around that long.

Reviewers keep saying the same thing: Allen explains things simply, isn't boring, and gives examples that make sense. Students who already studied music say it works as a refresher, and one music teacher singles out the 28 downloadable worksheets. The complaints are mild but real. A couple of lower ratings call his style a bit all over the place, with filler words and tangents, and one says the jargon is inconsistent. The MuseScore version shown in the videos is 3, and a reviewer using version 4 got confused for a while. Out of nearly 24,000 reviews, only 369 gave one or two stars.

It sits beside piano and Logic Pro courses in our music list, and it's the only one of them that teaches theory rather than an instrument or a DAW, so it pairs well with any of them. There are no quizzes, just worksheets, so you have to hold yourself to doing them. If you want to know why chords work rather than just where to put your fingers, this is the pick.

Best forSelf-taught players and total beginners who want to understand why chords and keys work, not just memorize them.
Skip it ifYou want to learn an instrument or a DAW; this is notation, scales, chords and analysis, with no playing lessons at all.

Pros

  • Starts from the dots on the staff and builds to Roman numeral analysis of Bach and Pachelbel
  • 28 downloadable worksheets with answers; a music teacher reviewing the course singles them out
  • Reviewers say Allen is pleasant to listen to, clear, and gives examples that make sense
  • Updated December 2025, with 156 lectures split into 31 sections

Cons

  • A few reviewers find his style scattered, with filler words and tangents
  • Videos show MuseScore 3, which is out of date; a student on version 4 says it caused some confusion
  • No quizzes or graded assignments, so practice depends on doing the worksheets yourself
He's a great teacher and knows how to talk to his students without sounding too advanced and making it easy to follow him, by giving examples that make sense.
Olivia Gottshall, a student

Genuinely beginner: no instrument or prior theory needed, just enthusiasm and a free notation program he points to early on.

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What you will learn

  • Read Music Using Proven Techniques
  • Understand All the Symbols (Not Only the Notes) of a Music Score
  • Read, Play, and Count Rhythms Accurately
  • The elements of the Score
  • Pitch Names
  • Pitch Classes
  • Octaves
  • The White Keys
  • The Black Keys (not the band!)
  • Half-Steps and Whole-Steps
  • Clefs
  • Intervals
  • Naming Octaves
  • Identifying Notes on the Staff
  • Identifying Notes on the Keyboard
  • Beat and Beat Divisions
  • Tempo
  • Downbeats and Upbeats
  • Dotted Rhythms
  • Time Signatures
  • Ties
  • Accidentals
  • Form in Music Notation
  • Chromatic and Diatonic scales
  • Ordered Pitch Class Collections
  • The pattern of a Major Scale
  • Scale Degrees
  • Solfege
  • Writing melodies with major scales
  • Analyzing melodies
  • What it means to be "in key"
  • Key signatures
  • How to identify key signatures
  • Popular song analysis
  • Building triads (chords)
  • Diatonic chord progressions
  • Roman numeral analysis
  • Inversions
  • Finding chords by formula
  • The thirds inside of a chord
  • Finding fifths by finding thirds
  • Diminished triads
  • Augmented triads
  • Chords on the guitar
  • Full Analysis: Canon in D (Pachabel)
  • Full Analysis: Minuet in G (Bach)
  • 7th Chords
  • Major 7th Chords
  • Minor 7th Chords
  • Dominant 7th Chords
  • Tendency Chords
  • Using the Circle of Fifths for Songwriting and Composition
  • Borrowing from Closely Related Keys
  • Scale Degree Names
  • Tendency Tones
  • Compound Meters
  • Compound Meter Signatures
  • Reading and Writing Compound Meters
  • Triplets, dubplets, and Quadruplets
  • Finding Minor keys by alternations to Major
  • Patterns in Minor keys
  • Relative Minor keys
  • Parallel Minor keys
  • Minor keys in the Circle of Fifths
  • Using Minor Keys for Songwriting and Composition
  • Diatonic Chord Progressions in Minor
  • The V Chord and Minor and the Leading Tone Problem
  • Harmonic Minor Scales
  • Melodic Minor Scales

Course content

31 sections · 156 lectures · 12 hours of video 35 articles

  1. 1Getting Started 4 free previews8 lectures · 24 min
  2. 2All The Little Dots 2 free previews5 lectures · 30 min
  3. 3The Keyboard Layout6 lectures · 21 min
  4. 4Pitch Notation on the Staff 1 free preview8 lectures · 36 min
  5. 5Notating time on a Musical Staff9 lectures · 49 min
  6. 6Score Symbols and Conventions 1 free preview4 lectures · 33 min
  7. 7Putting it All Together3 lectures · 12 min
  8. 8Part 1: Wrap Up1 lecture · 2 min
  9. 9Music Theory Comprehensive: Part 2 - Chords, Scales, & Keys - Introduction 1 free preview3 lectures · 10 min
  10. 10Chromatic & Diatonic Scales4 lectures · 16 min

Who it is for

The instructor says it suits

  • Anyone in any country, and any age, who is ready to start learning music in a fun, casual, and informative way.
  • This course is designed for students who have either never tried to learn music theory before, or tried and couldn't come grasp the concepts.
  • This is a course for students who want to understand everything about music theory, for the ground up.

What you need before you start

  • Students should be enthusiastic about music, but do not need to be producers or musicians. No prior experience is needed in music - All are welcome!
  • I'll be using a piece of software in this course that I would like students to get. Don't worry - it's free! And works on Mac and PC programs. I'll tell you more in the first few videos.

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Course Description

* UDEMY BESTSELLER *

This course is "5-Star Certified" by the International Association of Online Music Educators and Institutions (IAOMEI). This course has been independently reviewed by a panel of experts and has received a stellar 5-star rating.

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


Welcome to the COMPLETE Music Theory Guide!

This is a class designed for the average person who is ready to take music theory (or music interest) and turn it into a usable skill. Whether you are an active musician or an aspiring musician, this class is perfect for you.

For years I've been teaching Music Theory in the college classroom. These classes I'm making for Udemy use 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.

My approach to music theory is to minimize 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. If you've tried to learn music theory before, or if you are just starting out - this series of courses is the perfect fit.

Dr. Allen is a professional musician, top-rated Udemy instructor, and university professor. In 2017 the Star Tribune featured him as a "Mover and a Shaker," and he is recognized by the Grammy Foundation for his music education classes. 

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

This Edition of the class is the "Complete" Edition: It contains levels 1, 2, & 3 in their entirety. 

Included in this course: 

  • 151 Video lectures, following my college Music Theory Curriculum. 

  • 28 Downloadable worksheets for practice (with answers!)

  • Access through discounts to my entire network for music classes

  • Membership to the class theory-learner community


Because this is three classes combined into one, going through every topic we cover in this class would make for a very, very long list. Here is just a hint of all the topics we cover:

  • My approach to Music Theory

  • Tools you will need to learn Music Theory quickly and efficiently

  • Music software: Notation programs

  • The elements of the Score

  • Pitch Names

  • Pitch Classes

  • Octaves

  • The White Keys

  • The Black Keys (not the band!)

  • Half-Steps and Whole-Steps

  • Clefs

  • Intervals

  • Naming Octaves

  • Identifying Notes on the Staff

  • Identifying Notes on the Keyboard

  • Beat and Beat Divisions

  • Tempo

  • Downbeats and Upbeats

  • Dotted Rhythms

  • Time Signatures

  • Ties

  • Accidentals

  • Form in Music Notation

  • Chromatic and Diatonic scales

  • Ordered Pitch Class Collections

  • The pattern of a Major Scale

  • Scale Degrees

  • Solfege

  • Writing melodies with major scales

  • Analyzing melodies

  • What it means to be "in key"

  • Key signatures

  • How to identify key signatures

  • Popular song analysis

  • Building triads (chords)

  • Diatonic chord progressions

  • Roman numeral analysis

  • Inversions

  • Finding chords by formula

  • The thirds inside of a chord

  • Finding fifths by finding thirds

  • Diminished triads

  • Augmented triads

  • Chords on the guitar

  • Full Analysis: Canon in D (Pachabel)

  • Full Analysis: Minuet in G (Bach)

  • 7th Chords

  • Major 7th Chords

  • Minor 7th Chords

  • Dominant 7th Chords

  • Tendency Chords

  • Using the Circle of Fifths for Songwriting and Composition

  • Borrowing from Closely Related Keys

  • Scale Degree Names

  • Tendency Tones

  • Compound Meters

  • Compound Meter Signatures

  • Reading and Writing Compound Meters

  • Triplets, duplets, and Quadruplets

  • Finding Minor keys by alternations to Major

  • and much more!

And of course, once you sign up for this class, you automatically get huge discounts on all the upcoming parts of this class.

You will not have another opportunity to learn Music Theory in a more comprehensive way than this. 

All the tools you need to successfully learn Music Theory is 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.


Test Prep: 

This course is perfect for prep for the Praxis II Test (ETS Praxis Music), The ABRSM Music Theory Exam (up to Grade 8), AP Music Theory Exam, College Placement Exams (Music Theory), and other common secondary and post-secondary placement exams.


I guarantee that this course is the most thorough music theory 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.
Captions are also included in Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese.

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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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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

4.7

23,763 ratings on Udemy

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

By Olivia Gottshall on 8/25/2026

Super easy to break down and understand. Great pacing and breaking up of terms and layers of understanding how to read the staff. He's a great teacher and knows how to talk to his students without sounding too advanced and making it easy to follow him, by giving examples that make sense.

By Jennifer L Boxer on 7/16/2026

This course was a great match for me, Although this rating was made AS i got to Section 1, 4. Average so far due to the fact that I haven't reached anything past introductions yet, but I hope it reaches 4.5-5 by the time I end this course! So far hoping that the course won't be TOO difficult since I haven't done much of musical art yet, so yeah! ( even though this is a college level course and I'm only in middle school about to go into high school because I'm using my moms account for this :sob: ) CHEERS!!! Spamton G. Spamton (not)

By Lorell Marie Brady on 5/22/2026

I am getting back to music after many years, and I wanted to start from scratch in theory. So, this has been a good review for me before I try to get into the harder aspects of theory I don't remember as well. I have had some trouble with the lectures sometimes freezing on my laptop. I checked on the Internet to see if this is a problem with UDEMY, and I found that, yes, UDEMY has had this problem with some courses. I was able to go to my phone and do part of the course, but I'd rather use my laptop for ease of seeing. Luckily, it did work on my laptop later. I hope it does not freeze again.

By Nico Makian on 5/17/2026

I was blown away by this course! It is so well organized, very easy to understand, and has exercises built into each module for hands-on learning. By far the best online course I've ever taken. Thank you J. Anthony Allen! You're a fantastic teacher. I am excited to enroll in the other music theory courses, as well as your Ableton course and ear training course :)

By Mike Thunman on 5/14/2026

Still early in the course, but so far the instructor is easy to understand and teaches at a nice pace. Looking forward to the rest of it.

By Sarah Politte on 5/4/2026

Clear explanations and easy to understand! This course teaches music theory quickly and comprehensively! The only thing is that I wish there were a few more practice/worksheets, but that's just how I learn, otherwise, I'm very excited to learn more in the second half!

By Joseph Desmonts on 4/8/2026

Jason is incredibly well-spoken and makes pretty much everything up to here seem simple even for anyone who's never had any music theory courses before. I can't recommended his courses enough! Even only halfway through and I already can delve deeper into my musical understanding and therefore my creativity also. As an aspiring composer, this is everything you need to get started with solid foundations on your journey.

By Khari Gold on 4/2/2026

I can't believe how much I was able to learn in such a short amount of time. I feel like my understanding of music took a huge leap forward. I'm confident I can build on this when learning instruments and eventually writing music. I love how I now can understand what people are talking about when they talk about keys, chords, etc. I also appreciated the assignments to test our comprehension. Thank you so much!!!

By Richard D Sauer on 3/10/2026

Two comments with regard to content presentation and terminology. I could be totally incorrect in my assessmets, so do as you see fit. FWIW... 1) Bar vs Measure - you seem to like the term "Bar" when discussing a section of a script (usually). However, when you describe the Key Signature, you use the term "Measure" (as in 4/4 = 4 beats per Measure, quater note gets the beat). It could be confusing. I'd stick to one (Measure). 2) First vs Root - Again, using the two terms interchangably when talking about notes in a chord or scale. You go back and forth between "First" and "Root". In my mind, "First" is more ambiguous than "Root". Again, sticking with one term would avoid confusion. I'd prefer Root.

By Keith Olenick on 1/10/2026

I've fount it well paced and well organized. The clear titles and progression of topics will make it easy to skip to the point you want to if you are familiar with the earlier topics, or to skip to any that you need to brush up on.

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Overall Score : 94 / 100