For years I've been teaching Music Theory in the college classroom. These classes 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.
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 Theory.
This class is a Comprehensive class - it will have many parts, going through my entire annual curriculum.
This class is Part 1: Reading Music & The Symbols of Music Notation.

What will I learn in this Course?

  • 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!

Course Outline

  • Getting Started
    • Introduction
    • [Download] Staff Paper
    • About Notation Software Programs 
  • All The Little Dots
    • Pitch Names
    • Pitch Classes
    • Octaves
    • Worksheet No. 1
  • The Keyboard
    • Why We Use a Keyboard
    • The White Keys
    • The Black Keys (Not the band…)
    • Half-Steps and Whole-Steps
    • A Little Review of What We’ve Learned So Far
    • Worksheet No. 2
  • Pitch Notation on the Staff
    • Clefs
    • Treble Clef Refresher
    • Naming Notes and Intervals
    • Octave Names
    • Naturals
    • Worksheet No. 3
  • Organizing Time in Music Notation
    • Beat and Beat Divisions
    • Duple Vs. Triple
    • Tempo, Downbeats, and Upbeats
    • Worksheet No. 4
  • Notating Time on a Musical Staff
    • Rhythmic Subdivisions
    • Dots
    • Rests
    • Time Signatures
    • Ties
    • Languages
    • Worksheet No. 5
  • Score Symbols and Conventions
    • Dynamics and Repeats
    • Accidental Behavior and Naturals
    • Form
    • Worksheet No. 6
  • Putting it all Together
    • Places to Find Scores Online
    • Tips for Practicing Notes and Rhythms
    • A Bunch of Practice Music
  • Wrap Up
    • Thanks and Bye (for now!)

Course Information

Estimated Time: 3.5 Hours

Course Instructor

Jay Allen Author

J. Anthony Allen is an Ableton Certified Trainer, and a PhD in Music Composition and master of Electronic Sounds. His music has been heard internationally in film, radio, video games, and industrial sound, as well as the concert hall and theater. He currently is an adjunct professor of composition at the University of St. Thomas, and is the CEO and co-founder of Slam Academy in Minneapolis.

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Getting Started

All The Little Dots

The Keyboard

Pitch Notation on the Staff

Organizing Time in Music Notation

Notating Time on a Musical Staff

Score Symbols and Conventions

Putting it all Together

Wrap Up

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