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Music Theory Comprehensive: Part 1 - How To Read Music (Udemy.com)

A Complete College-Level Music Theory Curriculum. This is Part 1: Reading Music & The Symbols of Music Notation

Created by: J. Anthony Allen

Last updated March 2025

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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
  • Chords on the guitar
  • Augmented triads
  • Diminished triads
  • Finding fifths by finding thirds
  • The thirds inside of a chord
  • Finding chords by formula
  • Inversions
  • Roman numeral analysis
  • Diatonic chord progressions
  • Building triads (chords)
  • Popular song analysis
  • How to identify key signatures
  • What it means to be "in key"
  • Analyzing melodies
  • Writing melodies with major scales
  • Solfege
  • Scale Degrees
  • The pattern of a Major Scale
  • Ordered Pitch Class Collections
  • Chromatic and Diatonic scales
  • Accidentals
  • Ties
  • Time Signatures
  • Dotted Rhythms
  • Downbeats and Upbeats
  • Tempo
  • Beat and Beat Divisions

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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 Fundamentals Guide!

This is a class designed for the average person who is ready to dive into music!  Whether you are a beginning musician, 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. 

Throughout this class, If you get stuck, you can review the videos or post a question, and I'll back to it as fast as possible. 

This class is Part 1: How To Read Music. In it, we will work through all the elements of notated music, and how it all works.

In this class, we will 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

  • ...and much, much more!

And of course, once you sign up for Part 1 - Reading Music & The Symbols of Music Notation, 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.

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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

4.5

410 ratings on Udemy

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By Colin Bell on 5/18/2020

If the tutor says "um" or " ughh" or makes any more mistakes, i`m going to scream. His voice is terrible to follow, its as if he is distracted or something. Wastes several minutes in lecture 31 trying to figure out how to use his software.

By Dave Hanley on 3/24/2020

course going well, now starting to get harder but I know its all about practice practice practice.........I'm a musician who cannot read music and knows little theory so this is helping me......long way to go though :-)

By Adrian Bedford on 2/26/2019

These courses I've done with Professor Jason have been tremendous! For several months I have also been struggling through a Coursera course offered by the University of Edinburgh, Fundamentals of Music Theory, which has actual graded assignments, and an exam! And it's been rock-hard! I've had a really difficult time with it, but Professor Jay's classes have really helped. As of earlier this week I completed the first stage of the exam, with 86%! :)

By Laura Hancock on 12/1/2018

I'm returning to music after an 18 year break, and this was the perfect course to reintroduce concepts and theory that I had either forgotten or had lost confidence in. I enjoyed Jason's approach. The structure of the course, and his manner made it feel accessible and comfortable, and something to look forward to each day. Thank you Jason :) I imagine I'll follow up with future courses as there is a great deal more I want to learn and delve into.

By Jon Kroll on 10/9/2018

I am so excited about how much more I know about reading sheet music now that I have completed this course. Importantly I now know how and what to practice to read music. My first plan is to go immediately back to lesson 1 in the course and watch it all again. Excellent course.

By Vanessa Dubreuil on 9/2/2018

I am amazed by this course. Seriously. I’ve tried to learn music theory by myself, but dropped out pretty quickly. Then I found this one, and gave it a try. Jason makes it SO EASY to understand the complex concepts of music. His explanations and exemples are clear. I’m already more than half way through part 2. I am flabergasted, I feel like I’ve learned a new language! Everything makes so much sense. If you want to learn quickly and learn music theory with solid foundations, make yourself a favor and buy this course. The best investment you’ll make for yourself. I will gladly spend my money on other courses from this guy. Thank you Jason

By Jose Alfredo Ramirez Garcia on 8/23/2018

pretty useful course, for starters is pretty easy to understand and I know quite a few would say it is a lot to digest but that's part of the beauty of leaning music theory. Instructor explanations are good and easy to understand.

By Michael Reslie on 6/30/2016

J. Allen provided an excellent learning experience. I went from almost completely unable to read music to being able to look at complex sheet music and understand very well what's happening in the piece. In addition, every time I asked a question through the Q&A feature I received an answer almost immediately.

By Michael Wellman on 4/10/2016

I've just finished Part 1 and I found it enjoyable. His lectures are clear and understandable. If, like me, you're a complete noobie to all things music this course is a great start. I will have to review the section on meter many times while I practice what I've learned. That section has a lot of parts so...expect to have to practice what you learn. I'm thinking I'll be comfortable enough with my note and meter reading in two or three weeks worth of 15 to 20 minutes per day of practice. He recommends 30 minutes but I think I'd get jelly brain going that long (at least at first when the new knowledge is first being applied). I've already purchased Part 2 and I'm really looking forward to it. Good job Jason!

By Tom Stevenson on 4/9/2016

This is the course I always knew I should take, but never did until now. Like many others, I just wanted to play and dreaded the thought of music theory. Seriously though, this is about as good as it gets if you want to learn theory, and we all know we need to. Jason is an excellent instructor, and has a unique ability to explain complicated stuff in a clear manner. This course has filled in several holes I know I had in my musical foundation. I recommend it.

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Overall Score : 90 / 100