Music
26 courses · College of Alameda · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
MUSIC 1A Musicianship
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Study of music theory: clefs, key signatures, scales, intervals (diatonic and chromatic), chord structures (triads and dominant sevenths), and rhythm.
MUSIC 1B Musicianship
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Study of chord structures: Triads, seventh chords and their extensions; proper notation and function, theory of rhythmic design explored through the study of proper notation, manuscript considerations, and rhythmic drills, dictation, written and performance skills.
MUSIC 9 Introduction to World Music
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Understanding and appreciation of world music through informed listening, analysis and discernment of musical elements, form and repertoire: Covers a rich diversity of styles (popular, folk, classical), periods and cultures.
MUSIC 10 Music Appreciation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Survey designed to enhance the enjoyment of music with emphasis on listening; historical overview of the development of musical form through the centuries.
MUSIC 15A JAZZ, BLUES AND POPULAR MUSIC IN THE AMERICAN CULTURE
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Historical and critical analysis of unique American music: Focus on environments from which its many forms have emerged and its role in social history; development of blues, folk, jazz, rock and other popular music forms in the twentieth century. AA/AS area 3, 5; CSU area C1; IGETC area 3
MUSIC 15B JAZZ, BLUES AND POPULAR MUSIC IN THE AMERICAN CULTURE
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Study of contemporary music scene with in-depth investigation of trends in artistic expression: Music as a revolutionary force, the role of the music industry, analysis of performances and interviews.
MUSIC 23 Stage Band
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture, 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- Ability to play a jazz-oriented instrument profieciently and some knowledge of improvisation
Study and performance of "Big Band" jazz arrangements. Participation in public performance required.
MUSIC 25 College Choir
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture, 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- Ability to sing acceptably determined by instructor through audition.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Study and interpretation of a wide variety of accompanied and unaccompanied choral literature. Participation in public performances required.
MUSIC 28 Small Ensemble Improvisation / Jazz Theory
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture, 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- Ability to perform on a Brass, Woodwind, Keyboard, or Percussion Instrument.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Study and performance of jazz, blues, and improvisation: Emphasis on the blues using representative compositions of the blues and standard jazz repertoire from 1883 to the present. Acceptable for credit: CSU, UC
MUSIC 36 Contemporary Jazz Band Studies
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture, 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- Ability to play a jazz-oriented instrument proficiently.
Study of materials and techniques unique to the contemporary Jazz ensemble: Addition of Jazz fusion, Latin, Bossa Nova, Samba, and various other African/American styles into the more traditional Big Band Swing.
MUSIC 46 Beginning Percussion
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture, 3 hours lab
Course study under this section may be repeated three times. Study of correct breathing and tone production, vocal technique, diction, stage deportment and song repertoire. Solo performance from memory required.
MUSIC 49 Independent Study in Music
- Units
- .5-5
- Hours
- .5 hours lecture
In-depth exploration of an area or problem of the student's choice not covered by regular catalog offerings in Music. Student must obtain approval from an appropriate faculty member. For more details, see the section on independent study in the college catalog.
MUSIC 117 Voice I
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- Concurrent participation in at least one of the following ensembles: MUSIC 025 College Choir or MUSIC 525 College Choir Non- Credit and/or MUSIC 028 Small Ensemble Improvisation / Jazz Theory Ensemble or MUSIC 528 Small Ensemble Improvisation / Jazz Theory Ensemble Non-Credit.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Individualized study of beginning vocal techniques and theory: Posture, breathing, phonation, resonance, and preparation of lyrics.; progressive development of skills needed for solo performance.; Achievement evaluated through a juried performance.
MUSIC 118 Voice II
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- MUSIC 117 Concurrent participation in at least one of the following ensembles: MUSIC 025 College Choir or MUSIC 525 College Choir Non- Credit and/or MUSIC 028 Small Ensemble Improvisation / Jazz Theory Ensemble or MUSIC 528 Small Ensemble Improvisation / Jazz Theory Ensemble Non-Credit.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Individualized study of level II vocal techniques and theory: Postures other than standing, vowel color, vocal range, intonation, and changes of register.; progressive development of skills needed for solo performance.; Achievement evaluated through a juried performance.
MUSIC 119 Voice III
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- MUSIC 118 Concurrent participation in at least one of the following ensembles: MUSIC 025 College Choir or MUSIC 525 College Choir Non- Credit and/or MUSIC 028 Small Ensemble Improvisation / Jazz Theory Ensemble or MUSIC 528 Small Ensemble Improvisation / Jazz Theory Ensemble Non-Credit.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Individualized study of level III beginning vocal techniques and theory: Anatomy of registers and pitch, consonants, pharyngeal adjustment, vibrato, and special registers in women and men. ;progressive development of skills needed for solo performance.; Achievement evaluated through a juried performance.
MUSIC 120 Voice IV
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- MUSIC 119 Concurrent participation in at least one of the following ensembles: MUSIC 025 College Choir or MUSIC 525 College Choir Non- Credit and/or MUSIC 028 Small Ensemble Improvisation / Jazz Theory Ensemble or MUSIC 528 Small Ensemble Improvisation / Jazz Theory Ensemble Non-Credit.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Individualized study of level IV vocal techniques and theory: Vocal initiation and glottal tension, vowel placement, preparing songs in German or French, voice classification, and ensemble singing.; progressive development of skills needed for solo performance.; Achievement evaluated through a juried performance.
MUSIC 130 Elementary Piano I
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Individualized study of beginning piano techniques and theory: Five-finger technique in C Major and D Minor, elementary rhythm, legato, staccato, coordination of both hands, beginning theory related to keyboard music, progressive development of skills needed for solo performance. Achievement is evaluated through a juried performance.
MUSIC 131 Elementary Piano II
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Individualized study of level II beginning piano techniques and theory: Five-finger technique in G Major, F Major and E Minor extending to a sixth, finger crossing and chord playing, use of damper pedal, meters with half note and eighth note beats, beginning theory related to level II keyboard music, progressive development of skills needed for solo performance.; Achievement evaluated through a juried performance.
MUSIC 132 Elementary Piano III
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Individualized study of level III beginning piano techniques and theory: Scale playing and performance in C, G, F and D Major, level III finger technique including intervals of the seventh and octave, techniques for changing positions, recognition and performance of primary triads and seventh chords, progressive development of skills needed for solo performance. Achievement is evaluated through a juried performance.
MUSIC 133 Elementary Piano Method IV
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- MUSIC 132
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Individualized study of beginning piano techniques and theory: Five-finger technique in C Major and D Minor, elementary rhythm, legato, staccato, coordination of both hands, beginning theory related to keyboard music, progressive development of skills needed for solo performance.; Achievement evaluated through a juried performance.
MUSIC 138 Jazz Piano I
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- Concurrent participation in at least one of the following ensembles: 030A, 032, 125, 126, 127, or 151; and enrollment in at least one of the following major preparation courses: 101, 102, 103, 104, 121, 122, 123, or 124., MUSIC 130 or MUSIC 134 - Intermediate Piano Literature I
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Individualized study of level I jazz piano literature, techniques, and theory: Overview of jazz piano styles, beginning approaches to comping, major 7, dominant 7, and minor 7 chords as well as 3-note voicings, introduction to improvisation-the blues scale, class performances. Progressive development of skills needed for solo performance. Achievement is evaluated through a juried performance.
MUSIC 139 Jazz Piano II
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- MUSIC 138 Concurrent participation in at least one of the following ensembles: 030A, 032, 125, 126, 127, or 151; and enrollment in at least one of the following major preparation courses: 101, 102, 103, 104, 121, 122, 123, or 124.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Individualized study of level II jazz piano literature, techniques, and theory: Mixolydian and dorian scales, overview of jazz piano styles from 1925 to 1940, intermediate comping, basic jazz theory including 9th chords and 4-note voicings, improvisation on simple chord progressions; class performances. Progressive development of skills needed for solo performance. Achievement is evaluated through a juried performance.
MUSIC 140 Jazz Piano III
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- MUSIC 139 Concurrent participation in at least one of the following ensembles: 030A, 032, 125, 126, 127, or 151; and enrollment in at least one of the following major preparation courses: 101, 102, 103, 104, 121, 122, 123, or 124.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Individualized study of level III jazz piano literature, techniques, and theory: Phrygian dominant scales, overview of jazz piano styles from 1940 to 1960, advanced approaches to comping, jazz theory including minor ii-V-I’s, improvisation on standard jazz songs, class performances. Progressive development of skills needed for solo performance. Achievement is evaluated through a juried performance.
MUSIC 141 Jazz Piano IV
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- MUSIC 140 Concurrent participation in at least one of the following ensembles: 030A, 032, 125, 126, 127, or 151; and enrollment in at least one of the following major preparation courses: 101, 102, 103, 104, 121, 122, 123, or 124.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Individualized study of level IV jazz piano literature, techniques, and theory: all altered and Lydian dominant scales; Jazz piano styles from 1960 to the present; advanced approaches to comping-group interaction, melodic minor harmony; two-hand voicing’s, improvisation on standard jazz songs, class performances. Progressive development of skills needed for solo performance. Achievement is evaluated through a juried performance.
MUSIC 525 College Choir
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture, 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- Ability to sing acceptably determined by instructor through audition.
Study and interpretation of a wide variety of accompanied and unaccompanied choral literature. Participation in public performances required.
MUSIC 528 Small Ensemble Improvisation / Jazz Theory - Noncredit
- Units
- 0
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture, 3 hours lab
- Advisory
- Ability to perform on a Brass, Woodwind, Keyboard, or Percussion Instrument.
Study and performance of jazz, blues, and improvisation: Emphasis on the blues using representative compositions of the blues and standard jazz repertoire from 1883 to the present.