uyulove

Are there any music majors here who can help me? I have 6 free units next sem that I want to take some pass/fail music elective classes. I was thinking about taking composition more than anything... but if that doesn't fit then something like advanced piano (I played for piano for 10 years before but I haven't played since high school.. for like 5-6 years), vocal classes (I don't know anything about these classes or how it works.. do people just get individual lessons?), or something about music industry (recording probably).

What's a good class with a good professor? Also how does grading work? I don't know if I want to take it for a grade or pass/fail at this point...

right now I'm interested in (just from reading class names)

MPKS 150abc Beginning Piano (2-2-2)

MPVA 141 Class Voice (2)

MUCO 101 Fundamentals of Music Theory (2)
MUCO 250 Songwriting I (2)

MUIN 277x Introduction to Music Technology (4)
MUIN 286 Record Production Management (2)

MUIN 570 The Music Industry (4)
MUIN 575 Music Technology and Production (4)

Is there some kind of description online that sorta will tell me what this class exactly is about? Or do you know anything about any of these classes? what are great classes and what are classes I should avoid like the plague? Thanks!

cc411

S is a business major and took MUIN-277 last semester for fun. He liked it so much he will be applying for a minor in music.

alamemom

D is taking MPKS300x this semester - Non-Major Individual Instruction (Keyboard Studies- Piano). If you are not a music major/minor the MPKS150abc is not available. It was VERY simple to sign up (she said the people in the music department were very nice), you can choose letter grade or pass/fail, and you arrange whatever lesson schedule works for you and your instructor (D's instructor is a grad student). She also had taken lessons for 10 years but had been away from them for two years.

It sounds like a minor in music would be great for you!

uyulove

^I got these classes from non music major/minor catalogue so I think 150abc is available. How do you know where you belong at btw? I played piano for awhile but I'm rusty because I haven't played in awhile but I don't want to be stuck at beginners (I played for 10 years)

I can't minor in music unforunately.. :/ I already have a double major with a minor. I'm going to get rid of my minor because I have too much going on so I needed filler classes.

alamemom

Yes, you are right, the 150abc are only available to non-music majors! I would think that someone with 10 years of piano, even if they hadn't practiced for a few years, would be well beyond "beginning" piano though.

With MPKS300x you don't have to worry about where you belong because they are private lessons and so tailored to your level. It is also upper-division elective and fits into any schedule because you and the teacher set up your lesson time when it is convenient. Half-hour lessons are 1 unit, and hour lessons are 2 units. (There is an additional fee of about $345 for the 1-unit lessons, and a bit more for the 2-unit lessons.)

Sounds like you are very busy! A bit of time at the piano might be a great stress reducer. Good luck!

uyulove

I'm curious about music industry classes... are there classes that go over music programs/synthesizers and stuff like that?

Thanks for all the info!

raddad

Below are some classes that were offered in the fall. Not sure what is being offered in the spring. I have no doubt that there will be classes in the area you are asking about. Thornton has at least two faculty members who are expert in the subjects you are asking about. Not sure what the requirements to enroll might be. I would contact someone in Thornton to inquire.

Electronic Synthesizer Techniques
MIDI and Computer Music Production
Computer Assisted Recording and Editing

The first two are higher level classes, but the Computer Assisted Recording and Editing is more of a mid level class I think.

Kulakai

Oh wow, didn't know USC was venturing into VST and computer music production. I'm gonna have to look into a music minor now also