Music, Theory
8 courses · Merced College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
MUST-01 Music Theory I (Diatonic Harmony)
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Advisory
- MUSG-10
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 120
This course provides a thorough study of diatonic harmony found in the music of the common practice era. This class introduces harmonic and voice-leading principles, triads & seventh chords, and harmonic progression. This course is open to all students. While previous music training is not required, the expectation is that the student understands fundamental music principles (e.g., reading standard music notation). This class is a core requirement for the student who is pursuing an AA or AA-T in music. (04/22)
MUST-02 Music Theory II (Diatonic Harmony II)
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- MUST-01
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 130
A continuation of MUST-01, this course is the second semester of the music theory sequence. It completes an examination of diatonic harmony while introducing basic concepts found in chromatic harmony. This course is open to all students who meet the prerequisites but designed for the music major. This course is a core requirement for a student who is pursuing an AA in music. (04/22)
MUST-03 Music Theory III (Chromatic Harmony)
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- MUST-02
- Advisory
- MUSA-27B
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 140
This course examines chromatic music theory related to classical and popular music using skills acquired in MUS-04A and MUS-04B. This course covers concepts that help the student develop as a musician. These skills are essential to both performance and songwriting. It is open to all students interested in music who have met the prerequisites of the course. This course is a core requirement for a student who is pursuing an AA in music. (04/22)
MUST-04 Music Theory IV (Music Theory of the 20th & 21st Centuries)
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- MUST-03
- Advisory
- MUSA-27B
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 150
This course incorporates the concepts from Music Theory III. In addition, through writing and analysis, the course will include: post-Romantic techniques such as borrowed chords and modal mixture, chromatic mediants, Neapolitan and augmented-sixth chords, 9th, 11th, and 13th chords, altered chords, and dominants; and 20th/21st-century techniques such as Impressionism, tone rows, set theory, pandiatonicism, and polytonalism, meter and rhythm. (04/22)
MUST-05 Aural Skills I
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 0.5 hour lecture, 1.5 hours lab
- Advisory
- MUSG-10
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- MUS 125
MUST-05 is the foundational course in the Aural skills sequence offered at Merced College, introducing ear-training, sight-singing, sight-reading, and elementary dictation to the student. Developing musical skills, including recognizing intervals, scales, and diatonic melodies will prepare the music student for transfer to a music program in a four-year setting. (04/22)
MUST-06 Aural Skills II
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 0.5 hour lecture, 1.5 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- MUST-05
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- MUS 135
Basic drill in the singing and recognition of intervals, scales, and diatonic melodies, in the treble, bass, alto, and tenor clefs, dictation of diatonic melodies, and counterpoint in the first and second species. This course includes the use of computer music programs. Students must have completed MUST-05 (Aural Skills I) to enroll in this course. (04/22)
MUST-07 Aural Skills III
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 0.5 hour lecture, 1.5 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- MUST-06
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- MUS 145
This course applies and develops the rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic materials of Music Theory III through ear training, sight singing, analysis, and dictation. (04/22)
MUST-08 Aural Skills IV
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 0.5 hour lecture, 1.5 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- MUST-07
- Advisory
- MUSA-27B
- Transfers to
- CSU
- C-ID
- MUS 155
This course applies and develops the rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic materials of Music Theory IV through ear training, sight singing, analysis, and dictation. (04/22)