Music Theory for Electronic Music COMPLETE: Parts 1, 2, & 3 (Udemy.com)
Electronic music theory, digital music theory, and dance music theory. Learn music theory with ableton live and more!
Created by: J. Anthony Allen
Last updated May 2026
What you will learn
- By the end of this course, you will have improved your tracks by understanding how to build chords and melodies that work together.
- Understand and apply minor chords
- Use the circle of fifths to generate new ideas for your own tracks
- Work within minor keys to write compelling melodies and basslines
- The Piano Roll editor
- Octaves
- Using Octaves in Bass Lines
- The Black Keys (not the band!)
- Finding C and Middle C
- The Perfect 5th
- Finding Fifths
- Being "in key"
- The pattern of a key
- Moveable Patterns
- The major and minor third
- Building triads
- Chord progressions
- What is diatonic?
- Finding all the chords in a key
- Using roman numerals
- Inversions
- 7th chords
- Maj7 and minor 7th chords
- Dominant 7th chords
- Blues and the 7th chord
- Analysis: Shame On Me (Avicii)
- Minor scales
How it compares
Against the other 270 rated Udemy courses in Music on CourseDuck:
- Rating4.7 out of 5higher than 61% of them
- Reviews9,404#5 of 271 by number of reviews
- Length12.6 hourslonger than 91% of them
- Last updatedMay 2026more recently than 82% of them
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 MUSIC THEORY FOR ELECTRONIC MUSIC COMPLETE Guide!
This course is a combination of all three of my Music Theory for Electronic Musicians classes: Music Theory for Electronic Musicians, and Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 2, and Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 3.
In this class, we learn how to work with the piano roll editor in a DAW to make harmonies, melodies, and whole tracks, and then we expand on those ideas and work with harmonic patterns (harmony) that is richer than just major and minor.
Production Techniques Through Theory The most important part of this class is an extensive foray into using these techniques in actual tracks. I'll be creating 9 tracks through this class, right along with you, each using a different technique so you can see exactly how I incorporate it right into my music.
Full Sessions After each production project, I'll give you the whole session of what I made using the techniques for you to play with. You can download it, expand on it, re-work it, and even release it as your work.
If Your Music is Missing Something, This is Probably It. If you are finding that you are writing track after track, and while they sound good, there is something they are missing - then this it. You are missing the sense of harmony that professional producers have. In this class, I'll arm you with all the tools you need to produce those tracks just like you imagine them.
Who should take this course?
Anyone interested in producing their own music. This will get you up and running and give your tracks a unique sound in no time.
Structure
This course consists of video lectures, which all contain a session in Ableton Live 9. If you are using a different program (or none at all), no worries! This isn't a class on how to use Ableton Live, and the concepts can be applied to any DAW.
Some of the step-by-step guides in this course will be:
Finding notes, chords, and keys in your audio program
The 7 intervals and how to put them together
The steps to finding the key of your track (or any track!)
The most common chord progressions
The steps to using inversions to take your track from good to amazing.
The 4 types of 7th chords
The top techniques for writing a melody to fit a chord progression (and vice-versa!)
The 7 modes and their uses
19 Exotic scales and how to use them (include MIDI files!)
The course is a roadmap to finding the missing piece in your tracks, or just getting started making great tracks.
All the tools you need to make, produce, and start your music 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 start making great tracks today.
** 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.
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
Students who register for this course will receive ongoing exclusive content and discounts to all future classes in the series.
Instructor Details
- 4.7 Rating
9,404 Reviews
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
By Julio Cesar Chaves Fernandez on 7/20/2026
I've enjoyed this course so far. It has given me enough tools and concepts to analyse other songs on my own and understand how to arrange chords, melody and with it practice what I'm learning about DAWs from your Ableton 12 mastery course. I now wish I had invested more time in music theory earlier in life. Can't wait to put it in practice and produce some nice music of my own!
By Neil Milton on 5/20/2026
This is the second music theory course for electronic musicians I have completed. It is interesting and useful to have a different approach to the same topic. I didn't realise at first that I had read your first music theory book. I found the videos much easier to grasp; I could only go so far with the book. I'm hoping I'd be better able to write my own stuff now. Shame about the copyright issue preventing the continued analyses. However, writing your own tracks was useful, too. I prefered it when the video inset of you was on the screen, as I found it more engaging.
By Mike W on 3/13/2026
I really enjoyed Dr. Allen's course. He explains the concepts clearly, and I appreciated his questions section at the end, where he directly addressed some student questions very thoroughly. Excellent course, and I've picked up a few more of his courses because of the quality of this one!
By Jessica Martinez on 3/3/2026
I enjoyed both this and Michael Hewitt courses, they truly go to the point so if you are into electronic music or even if you are into music theory and need a refresher, it goes step by step and you can go back and forth with the classes. I've found some lessons had minor mistakes or the explanation was a bit clumsy, some of those were addressed in the forum but I'd say, do not take this course theory as final word, just a good starting point or refresher.
By yves frances on 2/17/2026
I seriously didn't even know this dude was the writer of the Ableton music theory books. Looking at all the ratings, he was already very credible, but that solidified it. Im 20 years old and ive been looking for a way to get back into music. Im normally a guitar player, although i started in FL Studio, im hoping this course can provide me with the knowledge to beat my burnout.
By Steven Fitzgerald on 1/27/2026
This instructor is not only knowledgable, but entertaining and informative all at the same time. Highly recommend, but only if you like to learn about music. If you're not into learning about music, and more into learning about underwater basket weaving, go with an instructor that specializes in underwater basket weaving. But if you want to learn about music, go with this instructor.
By Michael Hummel on 1/5/2026
Excellent teacher, simplifies, speaks slowly, but also has accessible depth of knowledge when needed. Really appreciated this course as a beginner and walked away from it with all around better understanding of music theory and feel confident in making chord progressions and bass lines in midi for sure.
By Niels De Tand on 12/23/2025
Great course from a charismatic and knowledgeable teacher!
By John Murrey on 12/20/2025
Great course, I've gone from zero music theory knowledge to having a solid first chunk of foundation. Jay goes through it really well, there are a few bits that aren't 100% clear but questions are answered very quickly, I would highly recommend it!
By Jason Pinckard on 12/6/2025
This course is amazing! Clear Instruction and the teacher corrects himself after any video where he made a mistake. This format of learning with the piano roll has helped me understand a topic I once thought impenetrable, and now I have fun making music with just my laptop and Ableton. Watch the videos, take notes, and practice what you learn here. Thanks J!
Quality Score
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Overall Score : 94 / 100










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