McGill.CA / Music / Programs / Bachelor of Music / Music Studies; B.Mus. (Major)

Yearly Study Plan; B.Mus. Music Studies Program

Use this 4-year guide to plan your studies and graduate from your Bachelor of Music (Music Studies) program on time.

If you're a transfer student or a CEGEP graduate, you may be able to complete the program in 3 years instead of 4.

Which courses to take each year

Sample year 1 course plan (with no course exemptions)

  • You have the option to take placement exams in theory, musicianship and keyboard proficiency before school starts. Depending on the basis of admission and the placement test results, you may be exempt from music history (MUHL 186), first year theory (courses with MUTH prefixes) or musicianship/keyboard proficiency (courses with MUSP prefixes). To learn more about the course exemption criteria, see Placement Exams.
  • If you choose not to write the placement tests, you will register for courses as presented in this sample first-year course plan.
  • If you are exempt from MUHL 186, you may consider taking an elective in the first semester.
  • You must be proficient in English for all courses, especially Music History. Non-anglophone students should defer MUHL 186 until their second year and register for an English as Second Language (ESL) course in year 1. ESL courses can be accepted as non-music electives. Contact the Writing Centre for information on ESL course registration.

Fall term

MUPD 145. Exploring Interdisciplinary Music Studies 1

Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Introduction of interdisciplinary perspectives on the musician’s role in society and the ways in which musicianship may be partnered with social responsibility in the development of professional music careers. Exploration of the many ways in which musical skills and artistry are used to serve the needs of a diverse range of communities, and the interdisciplinary skillsets that may be relevant to different musical pathways.

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MUHL 186. Western Musical Traditions.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

A survey of Western music from the Middle Ages to the present. Emphasis on key musical concepts and genres in their historical context and aural recognition of style.
  • 3 hours

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MUJZ 187. Jazz History Survey.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

An introductory study of the principal recordings, artists and musical trends in jazz from its origins to the present day.
  • 3 hours

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MUTH 150. Theory and Analysis 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Diatonic chords and harmonic progressions, focus on outer-voice framework, cadences, embellishments, building chordal fluency in common-practice tonality, applied chords.
  • Prerequisite: Matriculation Music or McGill Conservatory Theory Secondary V or its equivalent.
  • Corequisites: MUSP 140 and MUSP 170

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MUJZ 160. Jazz Materials 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Fundamental aural and theoretical skills associated with the jazz idiom. Nomenclature, chord construction, chord/scale relationships, harmonic progression, circle of 5ths, simple turnarounds, simple substitution, symmetrical scales and chord relationships, voice leading.
  • 4 hours
  • Prerequisite: none. Open to non-jazz majors, space permitting, but not for elective credit in B.Mus. or Artist Diploma programs

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MUSP 140. Musicianship Training 1.

Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Rhythm and metre basic subdivisions and conducting patterns; intervals, chords, and scale patterns; non-modulating tonal melodies with treble and bass clefs; harmonic progressions emphasizing two-part outer voice structures.
  • 2 hours
  • Corequisites: MUTH 150, MUSP 170
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MUSP 123.

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MUSP 123. Jazz Ear Training 1.

Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Rhythmic, melodic and harmonic materials from the jazz idiom. Sight-singing, dictation and transcription with some classical materials.
  • 2 hours
  • Corequisites: MUJZ 160, MUJZ 170
  • Restriction: Open to Jazz Performance Majors.

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MUSP 170. Musicianship (Keyboard) 1.

Credits: 1
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Harmonic, melodic and rhythmic analysis at the keyboard through the study of rudiments, repertoire, chorale/score reading, transposition and harmonization.
  • 1 hour
  • Corequisites: MUTH 150 and MUSP 140.
  • Course contents parallel with those of MUTH 150 and MUSP 140.
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MUJZ 170.

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MUJZ 170. Jazz Keyboard Proficiency 1.

Credits: 1
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Basic piano skills, basic comping techniques, standard 3 note rootless voicings in 7, 3 and 3, 7 position with one extension, two-five-ones in major and minor - limited keys. Simple substitution and reharmonisation.
  • 1 hour
  • Prerequisite: none. Open only to Jazz Performance Majors. May not be taken for elective credit in B.Mus. or Artist Diploma programs

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MUIN 180. BMus Practical Lessons 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Practical instruction on an instrument or voice.
  • 3 hours
  • Prerequisite: Admission to the B.Mus. program by audition.

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*Practical Studies stream only

or 200-level free elective or complementary music course: 3 credits

Free elective: 3 credits

Winter term

200-level Music Education or Entrepreneurship (MUGT, MUCT, MUPD or MUIT): 3 credits

Non-music elective: 3 credits

MUTH 151. Theory and Analysis 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Sequences and modulation, chromatic vocabulary, analysis of simple theme types (sentence, period, hybrids) and fugal techniques.
  • Pre- or Co-requisites: MUTH 150, MUSP 140 and MUSP 170
  • Corequisites: MUSP 141 and MUSP 171

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MUJZ 161. Jazz Materials 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Simple and advanced substitution, borrowed chords, reharmonisation, modes of harmonic minor and melodic minor diatonic systems, unresolved tensions, odd and infrequent modulations, mixed two-five-ones, introduction to polychords, slashchords and non-functional harmony.
  • 4 hours
  • Prerequisite: MUJZ 160. Open to non-jazz majors, space permitting, but not for elective credit in B.Mus. or Artist Diploma programs

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MUSP 141. Musicianship Training 2.

Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Rhythm and metre mixed divisions and syncopations; triadic and seventh chord voicings and disjunct pitch collections; chromatically embellished melodies adding alto clef; simple modulating harmonic progressions emphasizing two-part outer voice structures.
  • 2 hours
  • Prerequisites: MUSP 140 and MUSP 170
  • Corequisites: MUTH 151, MUSP 171
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MUSP 124.

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MUSP 124. Jazz Ear Training 2.

Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Advanced jazz idioms.
  • 2 hours
  • Prerequisite: MUSP 123
  • Corequisites: MUJZ 161, MUJZ 171
  • Restriction: Open to Jazz Performance Majors.

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MUSP 171. Musicianship (Keyboard) 2.

Credits: 1
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Building chordal fluency. Harmonic vocabulary including sequences, chromaticism and modulation. Chorale and score reading with transposing instruments and alto/tenor clefs.
  • 1 hour
  • Prerequisite: MUSP 170
  • Corequisites: MUTH 151 and MUSP 141
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken or are taking MUJZ 171.
  • Course contents parallel with those of MUTH 151 and MUSP 141.

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MUJZ 171. Jazz Keyboard Proficiency 2.

Credits: 1
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Continuation of previous semester. Two-five-ones and mixed two-five-ones using 4 note close position voicings and 4 and 5 note spreads, in all keys, diminished passing chords, half step shifts, voice leading extensions, quartal and modal voicing, sight reading of standard jazz repertoire.
  • 1 hour
  • Prerequisite: MUJZ 170. Open only to Jazz Performance Majors. May not be taken for elective credit in B.Mus. or Artist Diploma programs

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MUIN 181. BMus Practical Lessons 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Practical examination in clarinet techniques.
  • Prerequisite: MUIN 180
  • Restriction: Open to students entering directly from High Schools outside Quebec.

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*Practical Studies stream only

or 200-level free elective or complementary music course: 3 credits

Year 2 course plan

If you want to add a minor or second major to your program, apply in year 2.

Fall term

MUPD 245. Exploring Interdisciplinary Music Studies 2

Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Investigation of the concept of artistic citizenship.Inquiry into the ways in which musical skills and artistry serve the needs of diverse communities and career pathways.
  • Prerequisites: MUPD 145

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MUHL 286. Critical Thinking About Music.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Examination of various periods and styles: e.g., central works from different traditions, the interaction of music and society, performance practice, and music's relation to other arts.
  • Prerequisite: MUHL 186 or MUJZ 187
  • Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MUTH 301

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MUTH 250. Theory and Analysis 3.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Compositional resources of late 18th and early 19th century music. Analysis of forms common to the period c. 1770 - 1840, including Classical sonata forms in several media.
  • 3 hours
  • Prerequisite: MUTH 151
  • Corequisite: MUSP 240

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MUJZ 260. Jazz Arranging 1.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Introduction to concepts and techniques commonly used in jazz arranging. Notation, calligraphy and score preparation are discussed; including study of classical and contemporary scores by prominent jazz arrangers.
  • Prerequisite(s): MUJZ 161
  • Restriction(s): Open only to Jazz Performance Majors OR with permission of instructor.

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MUSP 240. Musicianship Training 3.

Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Rhythm and metre mixed divisions and two-part work; additional chordal voicings and pitch collections; melodies modulating to closely-related keys adding tenor clef; harmonic progression including applied chords; two-part keyboard-style passages.
  • Prerequisites: Matriculation Music or McGill Conservatory Theory Secondary V or its equivalent. MUSP 141
  • Corequisite: MUTH 250

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MUJZ 213. Fundamentals of Jazz Improvisation 1.

Credits: 2
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Introduction to basic improvisation concepts of phrasing, articulation, melodic development, harmonic control, musical vocabulary and style. Pedagogical techniques will be discussed.
  • Prerequisite(s): MUSP 124 or MUSP 141, and MUJZ 161
  • Note: Open to students in Faculty Program Jazz and to students minoring in Jazz Performance, or with permission of instructor; not open to students majoring in Jazz Performance.

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MUIN 280. BMus Practical Lessons 3.

Credits: 2.5
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Practical instruction on an instrument or voice.
  • Prerequisite(s): MUIN 181.

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*Practical Studies stream only

or 200-level free elective or complementary music course: 3 credits

Ensemble MUEN: 2 credits

 

Winter term

Non-music elective: 3 credits

200-level Music Education or Entrepreneurship (MUGT, MUCT, MUPD or MUIT): 3 credits

MUTH 251. Theory and Analysis 4.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Expanded harmonic resources of the 19th century (e.g., advanced chromaticism including enharmonic reinterpretation and symmetrical division). Analysis of characteristic small and large forms. Writing and analytical skills with a goal toward perceiving how levels of musical structure interact.
  • 3 hours
  • Prerequisite: MUTH 250
  • Corequisite: MUSP 241

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MUJZ 261. Jazz Arranging 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Consolidation of knowledge of basic concepts and techniques used in jazz arranging.
  • Prerequisite: MUJZ 260.
  • Restriction(s): Open only to Jazz Performance Majors OR by permission of instructor.

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MUSP 241. Musicianship Training 4.

Credits: 2
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Changing metres; chord voicings and atonal pitch collections; modulating tonal melodies and score reading of transposing instruments; harmonic progression including chromatic chords; two-part passages.
  • Prerequisite: MUSP 240
  • Corequisite: MUTH 251

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MUJZ 214. Fundamentals of Jazz Improvisation 2.

Credits: 2
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

A continuation of development of basic improvisation concepts of phrasing, articulation, melodic development, harmonic control, musical vocabulary and style. Pedagogical techniques will be discussed.
  • Prerequisite(s): MUJZ 213
  • Note: Open to students in Faculty Program Jazz and to students minoring in Jazz Performance, or with permission of instructor; not open to students majoring in Jazz Performance.

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MUIN 281. BMus Practical Lessons 4.

Credits: 2.5
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Practical instruction on an instrument or voice.
  • Prerequisite: MUIN 280

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*Practical Studies stream only

or 200-level free elective or complementary music course: 3 credits

MUIN 283. BMus Concentration Final Examination.

Credits: 1
Offered by: Performance (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Assessment of student's progress in the practical area.
  • Exam details are to be found under Examinations and Goals in Practical Subjects in the Music Chapter of the University Calendar.

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Practical Studies stream only

Year 3 course plan

Fall term

Total of 15 - 16 credits made up of complementary music courses and/or free electives

Winter term

Total of 15 credits made up of complementary music courses and/or free electives

Year 4 course plan

Fall term

Total of 15 - 16 credits made up of complementary music courses and/or free electives

Winter term

Total of 12 credits made up of complementary music courses and/or free electives

MUPD 350. Applied Projects for Musicians.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Music Research (Schulich School of Music)
This course is not offered this catalogue year.

Description

Skills needed in the evolving music business. An interdisciplinary music project that focuses on synthesizing, and putting into practice creative, business, and entrepreneurial skills.
  • Prerequisite(s): MGPO 362 or MUPD 245, or permission of the instructor.

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