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Go at your own pace

11 Sessions / 1 hours of work per session

Price
Micro-course ($25 USD)

Skill Level
Beginner

Topics
Music Theory, Reading Music, Music Notation, Music Education

Course Description
Welcome to Music Theory Level 1: Part Three
Minor Keys, The Circle of Fifths, and Compound Meters

This course introduces you to minor keys, the circle of fifths, and compound meters. The course provides you with many worksheets to practice the concepts as well as several complete analysis projects. This course forms part of 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. My approach to music theory is to minimize the 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.

In Part 3: Minor Keys, The Circle of Fifths, and Compound Meters, we will cover:

  • My approach to Music Theory
  • Tools you will need to learn Music Theory quickly and efficiently
  • Key Signatures
  • Diatonic Chord Progressions
  • 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, dublets, 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

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 the 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 waiting 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

Reviews

Reviews for Music Theory Level 1: Part Three

This course is in adaptive mode and is open for enrollment. Learn more about adaptive courses here.

Course Sessions:

Session 1: Getting Started
(June 17, 2026)

  • Welcome Overview
  • Tools We Will Need

Session 2: The Circle of Fifths
(June 24, 2026)

  • Circle Of Fifths Overview
  • Borrowing From Related Keys
  • Song Example

Session 3: Scale Degree Names
(July 1, 2026)

  • Scale Degree Names Overview
  • Scale Degree Names
  • Tendency Tones

Session 4: Compound Meters
(July 8, 2026)

  • Compound Meter Definition
  • Compound Meter Signatures
  • Another Perspective
  • Example

Session 5: Triplets, Duplets, and Quadruplets
(July 15, 2026)

  • Triplets Overview
  • Triplets
  • Other Tuplets

Session 6: Minor Keys
(July 22, 2026)

  • Minor Scale Overview
  • Alterations to Minor
  • Whole Half Pattern V2
  • Relatives
  • Parallel
  • Macphail Video Intro
  • MusicTheory Natural Minor Scale
  • Music Theory Tutorial 5 of 5 - Key Signatures and Scales

Session 7: Minor Keys and the Circle of Fifths
(July 29, 2026)

  • New Wrinkles In Circle of Fifths
  • New Diagrams
  • More Closely Related Keys

Session 8: Diatonic Chord Progressions in Minor
(August 5, 2026)

  • Diatonic Chord Progression Review
  • The Pattern
  • DCP with Relatives
  • The V Chord and LeadingTones

Session 9: Minor Scale Variations: Harmonic and Melodic Minor Scales
(August 12, 2026)

  • Three Types of Minor
  • Harmonic Minor
  • Melodic Minor
  • Greensleeves Example 2
  • Music Theory Tutorial 4 of 5 - Harmonic and Melodic Minor Scales

Session 10: Analysis
(August 19, 2026)

  • Analysis Overview
  • Greensleeves Analysis
  • The Scientist
  • What Next
  • Thanks Bye

Session 11: Review
(August 26, 2026)

  • Key Signatures Review
  • Diatonic Chord Progression Review
  • Tendency Chords Review

Learning Outcomes

Below you will find an overview of the Learning Outcomes you will achieve as you complete this course.

  • The Circle of Fifths
  • Tendency Chords
  • Using the Circle of Fifths for Songwriting and Composition
  • Borrowing from Closely Related Keys
  • Minor Keys
  • Patterns in Minor keys
  • Relative Minor keys
  • Parallel Minor keys
  • Compound Meter
  • Compound Meter Signatures
  • Reading and Writing Compound Meters
  • Triplets, duplets, and Quadruplets

Instructors

Instructor: J. Anthony Allen
Email: j@janthonyallen.com

What You Need to Take This Course

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 computers. I'll tell you more in the first few videos.

Additional Information

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