Music
29 courses · Gavilan College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
MUS 1A Music History and Literature
- Units
- 3
- C-ID
- MUS 105
A survey of the development of music in western civilization including representative composers from the Medieval to the present. Music 1A will study the music and styles from antiquity through 1750. (C-ID MUS 105)
MUS 1B Music History and Literature
- Units
- 3
- C-ID
- MUS 106
A survey of the development of music in western civilization including representative composers from the 1750 to present. Music 1B will study the music and styles from Classical period to the present. (C-ID MUS 106)
MUS 2 History of Jazz and Rock
- Units
- 3
This course covers the introduction and history of jazz and rock music from traditional, ragtime, boogie-woogie, swing, bebop, and cool, to various contemporary jazz, rock and fusion art forms. It includes a study of the forces that have shaped the art from European, African, Latin, and African-American influences. The class explores the contributions and conflicts of African-American influences throughout the history and development of this American music.
MUS 3A Harmony,Theory, Musicianship I
- Units
- 4
- C-ID
- MUS 120
Fundamentals of music, beginning harmony. (C-ID: MUS 120) MUS 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D must be taken in sequence.
MUS 3B Harmony, Theory, Musicianship II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- . MUS 3A
- C-ID
- MUS 130
Continuation of Music 3A. Fundamentals of music, intermediate harmony, and musicianship. Introduction to counterpoint. (C-ID: MUS 130) MUS 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D must be taken in sequence. PREREQUISITE. MUS 3A.
MUS 3C Harmony, Theory, Musicianship III
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- MUS 3B
- C-ID
- MUS 140
Fundamentals of music, advanced harmony, a continuation of MUS 3A and 3B. Chromatic harmony, analysis and composition. MUS 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D must be taken in sequence. (C-ID: MUS 140). PREREQUISITE: MUS 3B
MUS 3D Harmony, Theory, Musicianship IV
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- MUS 3C
- C-ID
- MUS 150
Fundamentals of music, advanced harmony, a continuation of MUS 3C. Analysis and composition. MUS 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D must be taken in sequence. (C-ID: MUS 150) PREREQUISITE: MUS 3C
MUS 4A Beginning Piano
- Units
- 3
- Advisory
- Must be taken in sequence. This course offered as a hybrid course
- C-ID
- MUS 170
Introduction to music fundamentals and keyboard technique. Development of beginning keyboard skills including note reading in bass and treble clef, fingering, rhythm, key signatures, primary chords and inversions. ADVISORY: Must be taken in sequence. This course offered as a hybrid course. (C-ID MUS 170)
MUS 4B Beginning Piano
- Units
- 2
- Advisory
- MUS 4A or instructor recommendation. Student must be able to demonstrate knowledge of material covered in MUS 4A
- C-ID
- MUS 171
Continuation of Music 4A. Introduction to music fundamentals and keyboard technique. Development of beginning keyboard skills including note reading in bass and treble clef, fingering, rhythm, key signatures, primary chords and inversions. ADVISORY: MUS 4A or instructor recommendation. Student must be able to demonstrate knowledge of material covered in MUS 4A. (C-ID MUS 171)
MUS 5A Intermediate Piano
- Units
- 2
- Advisory
- MUS 4B or instructor recommendation. Student must demonstrate knowledge of material covered in MUS 4B
- C-ID
- MUS 172
Development of intermediate keyboard skills through means of scales, chords, and technical studies. Continuation of music fundamentals and beginning keyboard harmony; introduction of easier classical and standard piano literature. ADVISORY: MUS 4B or instructor recommendation. Student must demonstrate knowledge of material covered in MUS 4B. (C-ID MUS 172)
MUS 5B Intermediate Piano
- Units
- 2
- Advisory
- MUS 5A or instructor recommendation. Student must demonstrate knowledge material covered in MUS 5A
Development of intermediate keyboard skills through means of scales, chords and technical studies. Continuation of music fundamentals and beginning keyboard harmony; introduction of easier classical and standard piano literature. ADVISORY: MUS 5A or instructor recommendation. Student must demonstrate knowledge material covered in MUS 5A.
MUS 5C Advanced Piano
- Units
- 2
- Advisory
- MUS 5B or instructor recommendation. Student must demonstrate knowledge on material covered in MUS 5B
Development of advanced keyboard skills through means of scales, chords and technical studies. Continuation of music fundamentals and keyboard harmony; introduction of moderately difficult classical and standard piano literature. ADVISORY: MUS 5B or instructor recommendation. Student must demonstrate knowledge on material covered in MUS 5B.
MUS 5D Advanced Piano
- Units
- 2
- Advisory
- MUS 5C or instructor recommendation. Student must demonstrate knowledge of material covered in MUS 5C
Development of advanced keyboard skills through means of scales, chords and technical studies. Continuation of music fundamentals and keyboard harmony; introduction of moderately difficult classical and standard piano literature. ADVISORY: MUS 5C or instructor recommendation. Student must demonstrate knowledge of material covered in MUS 5C.
MUS 6 Introduction to World Music
- Units
- 3
This course explores a broad and diverse survey of different non Western music cultures, helping students develop listening skills to identify, distinguish and appreciate the elements and richness of each culture's music. The course will cover a rich diversity of styles through informed listening, analysis and discernment of musical elements, form and repertoire. Music of various cultures will be explored, for example: India, China, Japan, the Middle East, Indonesia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.
MUS 7 Songwriting and Composition
- Units
- 3
This course is an introduction to modern song writing techniques. Students will learn to create their own musical compositions. Students will also gain a historical understanding of the wide diverse practices, both culturally and technically that apply to songwriting and composition. Approaches to contemporary issues in song writing including development of melodic, lyrical, and rhythmic ideas will be studied. In addition, students will learn strategies for promoting their songs in the contemporary music marketplace, as well as basic concepts of intellectual property right protection. While recommended, no prior formal musical education is required.
MUS 8A Beginning Voice
- Units
- 2
- Advisory
- Continues in sequence or by demonstrated proficiency
Development of techniques in the art of singing and interpreting serious music in various styles. Study of the basic techniques of tone production, breathing and related skills. Basic repertoire development. ADVISORY: Continues in sequence or by demonstrated proficiency.
MUS 8B Beginning Voice
- Units
- 2
Study of efficient vocal production and performance. Working on exercises for breath management, extending vocal range, increasing vocal resonance and volume. Vocal exercises and solos are performed to demonstrate these skills. Students are advised to take MUS 8A before enrolling in MUS 8B.
MUS 8C Intermediate Voice
- Units
- 2
- Advisory
- Music 8B or demonstrated proficiency
Development of techniques in the art of singing and interpreting serious music in various styles. Study of the basic techniques of tone production, breathing and related skills. Basic repertoire development. ADVISORY: Music 8B or demonstrated proficiency.
MUS 8D Intermediate Voice
- Units
- 2
- Advisory
- Music 8C or demonstrated proficiency
Development of techniques in the art of singing and interpreting serious music in various styles. Study of the basic techniques of tone production, breathing and related skills. Basic repertoire development. ADVISORY: Music 8C or demonstrated proficiency.
MUS 9A Guitar
- Units
- 2
- Advisory
- Students must provide their own guitars
An introduction to playing the guitar. Basic staff notation, correct fingering and chord arpeggios are covered. Emphasis is also placed on developing musical listening skills. ADVISORY: Students must provide their own guitars.
MUS 9B Guitar
- Units
- 2
- Advisory
- Music 9A; students must provide their own guitars
Development of intermediate guitar.Staff notation, correct fingering, tremolo and chord arpeggios are covered. Emphasis is also placed on developing musical listening skills. Students must provide their own guitars. ADVISORY: Music 9A; students must provide their own guitars.
MUS 11A Applied Music, Piano
- Units
- 0.5-2
- Advisory
- Concurrent enrollment in MUS 3A, MUS 3B, MUS 3C or MUS 3D
- C-ID
- MUS 160
Individual studio instruction in piano for the development of performance skills. Each week students will take individual lessons and complete an on-campus practice appropriate for the number of units taken. Additionally, each semester students will perform at least once for a juried performance for a faculty committee as a final exam. Designed for Music majors who are able to perform at college level. May be taken for a maximum total of 2 units. (C-ID: MUS 160) ADVISORY: Concurrent enrollment in MUS 3A, MUS 3B, MUS 3C or MUS 3D.
MUS 11B Applied Music, Guitar
- Units
- 0.5-2
- C-ID
- MUS 160
Individual studio instruction in Guitar for the development of performance skills. Each week students will take individual lessons and complete an on-campus practice appropriate for the number of units taken. Additionally, each semester students will perform at least once for a juried performance for a faculty committee as a final exam. Designed for Music majors who are able to perform at college level. May be taken for a maximum total of 4 units. (C-ID: MUS 160)
MUS 12 Vocal Ensemble
- Units
- 1-4
The Vocal Ensemble class will focus on popular and alternative commercial music and will include rehearsals with individual and group performances with a backup band. The evening Vocal Ensemble will study, rehearse and perform choral music in a broad spectrum of musical genres and styles. Included will be the study of vocal and rehearsal techniques as they relate to ensemble performance.
MUS 14 Instrumental Ensemble
- Units
- 1-4
- C-ID
- MUS 180
Instruction for the experienced musician with emphasis on the study and performance of a wide variety of musical styles from Renaissance to 20th Century music for traditional ensembles, and extensive consideration of contemporary commercial and alternative repertoire, and performance techniques for popular ensembles. This course was previously listed as MUS 14A. (C-ID: MUS 180)
MUS 15 Music Appreciation
- Units
- 3
- C-ID
- MUS 100
This course is designed to acquaint the students with the elements of music and the primary musical periods of traditional Western European classical music. Students will have a brief overview of the major composers and their music through class lectures, listening to musical examples in class, reading the text, listening to musical examples provided on the student CDs or recordings, actively engaging in class discussions, attending live concerts of suggested performances, and completing research papers and/or oral presentations pertinent to the course material. (C-ID MUS 100)
MUS 16A Introduction to Audio Recording Techniques
- Units
- 3
Survey of basic audio recording techniques and materials including acoustics, signal flow, block diagrams, cue systems, punch-ins, microphones and mic placement, frequency response, reverb, delay and outboard effects, stereo mixing, pre-mixing and actual recording.
MUS 17 Music Fundamentals
- Units
- 3
An introduction to the notation and fundamental theoretical elements of Western music, demonstrated through a variety of styles, covering: pitch and rhythm concepts and structures, basic formal elements, and fundamental musicianship. Development of skills in handwritten notation is expected. In addition, interpreting music, written and aurally, with regard to its broad historical and cultural context will be covered, and critiquing different musical genres and styles in order to make aesthetic judgments about them by applying criteria from the knowledge and principles of music theory learned in class.
MUS 21 Electronic Music, Sound Design
- Units
- 3
- Advisory
- Eligible for English 250, 260 and Mathematics 205
- C-ID
- MUS 100X
Fundamentals of electronic music synthesis using computers. Midi sequencing, digital sound processing, sampling, digital multi-track recording utilizing the college's state of the art midi studio. (C-ID MUS 100X) ADVISORY: Eligible for English 250, 260 and Mathematics 205.