Music Theory for Electronic Musicians 2: Minor keys and More (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.
- Use the circle of fifths to generate new ideas for your own tracks
- Work within minor keys to write compelling melodies and basslines
- 7th chords
- Maj7 and minor 7th chords
- Dominant 7th chords
- Blues and the 7th chord
- Analysis: Shame On Me (Avicii)
- Minor scales
- Relative keys
- Minor diatonic chord progressions
- Analysis: Ghosts N Stuff (Deadmau5)
- Changing keys in your track
- Analysis: Get Luck (Daft Punk)
- 9th and 13th chords
- Suspended Chords
- Writing melodies for chord progressions
- Writing chord progressions for melodies
- Bass lines
- Analysis: Windowlicker (Aphex Twin)
- Modes
- Producing with Modes
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 Guide - Part 2!
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.
Topics include:
Minor Scales and Keys
Minor Diatonic Chord Progressions
Changing Keys in a track
9th and 13th Chords
Suspended Chords
Writing Melodies for Chord Progressions
Writing Chord Progressions for Melodies
Writing bass lines
Modes
Producing with Modes
... And much more!!!
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 for all future classes in the series.
Instructor Details
- 4.7 Rating
545 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 Ian Persson on 4/20/2020
I've done the first and the second part of the electronic music theory classes, and they are great material to understand essential music theory to start building more complex but also structured songs. Jason's way of teaching is fantastic; simple funny, and it shows that he knows what he is talking about. Thank you for taking your time to share this with us Jason. Looking forward to the 3rd part!
By Darin Fontes on 9/27/2018
Great course. The way Jason explains music is exactly how I needed to learn it for it to stick and be interesting enough for me to want to learn more, knowing the cycle would continue through the course. After going through the first one (which I picked up randomly a while back during a sale and had stashed), I immediately jumped to this one. And now that I'm done, I will start the third course shortly! Thanks, Jason, for making these excellent courses.
By Zakurzone Palce on 10/15/2017
Awesome just like the previous one. I like the melody writing, basslines and analysis sections the most. Very informative and eye opening knowledge for everyone who don't have any musical background. I make music from few years but I always based on my ears, now I have some good music theory under my belt. Thanks a lot Jason! Now it's time for level 3 :-)
By Peter Shaw on 9/2/2017
Great course picking up from part 1 of the course. I love the choice of Deadmau5, Boards of Canada, Daft Punk etc for the analysis, these are exactly the kinds of music I hear and actively wonder how they make the chords etc Jason I love the methodical way you cover the material starting with the basics, circle of 5ths, closely-related keys followed by an actual example (Get Lucky) So I actually have a MIDI keyboard (and I know how to read sheet music) ... Jason - perhaps in a future course you might break loose with an actual keyboard. I understand why you draw music with your mouse but a little part inside me dies as I watch someone compose a song on the piano roll graph paper rather than going to the keyboard and trying stuff. Since Ableton is so interactive with a keyboard you can play stuff and see the keys light up on the piano roll for guidance. By way of Left-brain Right-brain contrast, I've taken Hans Zimmer's Master Class on score composing ... Hans also uses a synth and shows the Arrangement view but he talks to the audience by actually playing on the keyboard for illustration. I find myself a little starved for this after so much work on the arrangement view Altogether great class, I've been using Ableton for a while now and this totally would not have been possible without your courses Jason!
By Daniel Stoica on 4/16/2017
This is not the first course about music theory that I try, but it was definitely the best one. Contains valuable information easy to understand. And that is the most important thing! Thanks, Jason!
By Jason Johnson on 12/18/2016
I have taken parts 1 and 2 of the Music Theory course. Part 2 is great for digging deeper and understanding the importance of minors, 7ths and the circle of fifths turned about to be a great lesson as well. As was the part on arpeggios. Great class. I am taking Part 3 and the class on Push and Music Theory from Jason too.
By Joshua Wall on 10/7/2016
Excellent continuation of Music Theory for beginners. Continues covering the subject in a clear and professional while fun and entertaining manner. Includes several examinations of existing songs, helping to ground the theory in practical reality. Well worth the money and time spent. Once again, I would suggest to those interested in the subject.
By Edgar Echegaray on 12/27/2015
Yo, como músico amateur y que siempre he tocado "de oído" encontré este curso y el anterior de mucha utilidad para comprender mejor lo que he estado haciendo por años sin conocer las bases teóricas y mejorar mi proceso de composición. El profesor es muy ameno y su método enfocado directamente al DAW sin entrar demasiado a fondo en cuestiones más complejas de la teoría musical hacen de este curso algo disfrutable y fácil de entender para el músico aficionado.
By Christopher Carroll on 9/12/2015
If you want to create better music this course is a must. Everything you need to help you compose better music and not only about minor scales. Jasons delivery is excellent and he seems to be truly interested in both the subject matter and engaging with us students. Very highly recommended, I just need to watch it all a couple more times for it to sink in!
By Ross Lightbody on 6/29/2015
This 2nd video helped me consolidate the notions behind how producers come up with the music they do. It transformed my understanding of music from tunnel-visioned, to layered. I learnt what underpins an impressive music track, which assisted me in creating more impressive music. I highly recommend both courses in this series if you are seeking to better understand your appreciation for music. Cheers J!
Quality Score
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Overall Score : 94 / 100












