Music
18 courses · San Jose City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
MUSIC 020 Class Piano
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- Lab Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- MUSIC 050B with C or better.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 172
This course is designed for intermediate pianists to improve technique and interpretive abilities. Study and testing materials are drawn from a graduated series of exercises, etudes, and representative piano works. The student will learn how to assess and provide the stylistic nuances and phrasing concepts required for the performance of repertoire work from the Renaissance through the 20th century. The student will learn approaches to improvisation and other creative activities.
MUSIC 028 Class Guitar
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- Lab Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- MUSIC 058B with C or better
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students will study progressive scales, arpeggios, and tremolo exercises. Students will develop performance competency of the guitar repertoire of the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods. The emphasis is on left and right hand positions, sitting postures, and tone production. This course is designed for intermediate guitar students.
MUSIC 032 Introduction to Chicanx/Latinx Music in The U.S.
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students will be introduced to the diverse musical influences that have shaped the Chicanx/Latinx experience in the United States. Particular focus will be placed on African, Indigenous and European origins. Cultural influences such as Afro-Caribbean, Salsa, Son Jarocho, Norteno/Tejano, Corridos, Chicano Rock and Hip Hop will be analyzed with an emphasis on seminal works and their impact on Chicanx/Latinx musical experiences and identity formation.
MUSIC 040A Introduction to Digital Audio Production I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students are introduced to the fundamentals of operating a digital audio workstation (DAW) for recording. Students will develop production skills within the Pro Tools Audio Software platform widely used throughout audio recording industries. Through hands-on activities, students will develop their skills in proper recording, editing and mixing techniques. This course is designed for students majoring in digital music technology and/or interested in careers in audio engineering, producing music for studio or live formats and music for online publishing.
MUSIC 040B Digital Audio Production II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students will develop a more advanced understanding of music production within the Pro Tools Audio Software platform. Students will explore best practices used in final music production including mixing and mastering techniques for various instruments and voice, application of effects, equalization and surround mixing. Emphasis is also placed on various music genres and achieving specific aesthetic goals within a final mix.
MUSIC 041A Studio Recording Techniques I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 2, Lab Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU
Studio Recording Techniques I introduces students to the fundamental skills used in recording live instruments and vocals in a state of the art digital recording studio. Students will learn techniques for recording a variety of instruments and vocals used in various genres of music. Topics include studio signal flow, microphone selection and placement, acoustics, use of outboard and software-based effects processors, overdubbing, creating composite audio tracks, and mixing. Students will have hands-on learning experiences in the studio and/or music technology lab working on assigned projects.
MUSIC 041B Studio Recording Techniques II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 2, Lab Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- Take MUSIC 041A; minimum grade C
- Transfers to
- CSU
Studio Recording Techniques II students develop more advanced skills used in recording live instruments and vocals in a state of the art digital recording studio. Students learn techniques for recording a variety of instruments and vocals used in various genres of music. Emphasis is placed on software-based effects processors, overdubbing, creating composite audio tracks, plug-ins and effective mixing and mastering techniques. Students are expected to spend additional time in the studio and/or music technology lab working on assigned projects.
MUSIC 043 Introduction to MIDI and Electronic Music Production
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU
Students will develop skills in creating electronic music that synthesizes both audio and MIDI files using Ableton Live software. Emphasis will be placed on learning fundamental skills needed for electronic music composition and production. This course introduces students to MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface).
MUSIC 050A Beginning Piano I
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- Lab Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 170
In this introductory piano course, students will study basic theory concepts such as the 5-finger pattern, intervals, chords, simple chord progressions, and scales. Students will harmonize simple melodies, transpose and improvise simple pieces and patterns. This course reinforces concepts taught in the theory courses and is designed for students wanting to learn music using the piano as a vehicle for learning.
MUSIC 050B Beginning Piano II
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- Lab Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- MUSIC 050A with C or better.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 171
This is the second semester introductory course in piano which reinforces concepts taught in MUSIC-050A. Students will expand their knowledge of basic theory concepts such as the 5-finger pattern, intervals, chords, chord progressions, and scales. Students will harmonize melodies, transpose and improvise pieces and patterns.
MUSIC 058A Beginning Guitar I
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- Lab Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
In this beginning course of classical, folk, and pop guitar, students are introduced to technique and musicianship through a series of exercises, songs, and rhythmic studies, as well as tone production. They will also study hand and arm positions, and playing postures.
MUSIC 058B Beginning Guitar II
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- Lab Hours: 3
- Prerequisite
- MUSIC 058A with C or better
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
In this second semester beginning course in classical, folk, and pop guitar, students will further develop their music-reading ability and basic guitar technique through the study of exercises, scales, and music pieces for solo and duet guitar. They will also learn how to tune the guitar.
MUSIC 083 Exploring the World of Music
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students will be introduced to the elements of music from a cross-cultural perspective. Religious, cultural societal, and political influences from various geographical locations will be explored.
MUSIC 083H Honors Exploring the World of Music
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students will be introduced to the elements of music from a cross-cultural perspective. Religious, cultural societal, and political influences from various geographical locations will be explored. Honors section will emphasize a more rigorous examination of select world musical traditions. This may include independent research, presentations and/or written reports.
MUSIC 091 Music Appreciation: Western Civilization
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 100
Students will develop an appreciation of the music of western cultures through the development of aural skills. The course focuses on the relationships between composers and the times in which they lived. Included in each unit of study is a discussion of the influence of government, philosophy, art, and religion on musical composition. Attendance at a live performance will be required.
MUSIC 095 Music Appreciation: Jazz
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Students will study the traditions of jazz music, the musical elements of jazz and appraise the development of the jazz art form as a product of culture. They will also study how to aurally distinguish the elements of jazz music, and trace the evolution of styles and structures of jazz from its inception to the present time.
MUSIC 098 Directed Study in Music
- Units
- 0.5-9
- Hours
- Lab Hours: 2.07
- Prerequisite
- MUSIC 099 with a C or better
- Transfers to
- CSU
Individual or small groups of students, with previous course work in the discipline, who would benefit from Independent Study under the direction of faculty members in specific or related disciplines, may develop individualized learning contracts designed to enhance their individual instructional programs. The students and the faculty member in consultation with the Division Dean will determine appropriate learning objectives and activities as well as the number of units to be earned. Instructions and the Learning Contract forms are available in the Division Office. Repeatable to a maximum of 9 units across all disciplines.
MUSIC 099 Introduction to Music Theory
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- Lecture Hours: 3
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- MUS 110
Students study the language of music - how to read, notate, interpret, perform, and create with those symbols which represent the four properties of sound: pitch, duration, amplitude, and timbre. Students focus on the fundamentals of Western notated music and how these elements combine to create musical compositions: pitch identification, rhythm and meter, scales, key signatures, intervals, chord construction, harmonic progression and texture. Students will examine musical styles relevant to various cultures and historical periods.