Dan Mitchell - De Anza College, Cupertino, CA

Professor: Dan Mitchell

Department: Music

College: De Anza College, Cupertino, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MUSI1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Forgot to mention the attendance policy is borderline absurd. miss 3 classes and you are completely dropped from the course therefore getting an F. If you are late (literally 1 minute) you get half an abscence and he always lectures past the time allotted to him. I took music 1B and it was easier than this class (1A).

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MUSI1A
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

So the music appreciation class has nothing to do with music appreciation. The intro to music appreciation is all music theory. Im a musician myself and I thought it was ridiculous how the class was structured as an honors theory based class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MUSI1A
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Do not take for a GE. Do not take if you have a heavy class load, a job, kids, or anything outside of school. He treats a BEGINNING music class like an honors class. Expects so much out of students. Lots of reading, homework and quizzes. Makes you go to a concert outside of class. Grades homework very hard.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MUSI1A
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

He gives a lot of extra credit, A LOT! One thing I hate is that his teaching falls behind schedule but the quizzes and hw still goes on. Though he gave chances to resubmit hws and retake every quizzes. Didn't listen to his lecture but still got A+. All you need is the book. study the book and you will get an A. His lecture is sth extra to learn.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUSI1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Kind, but he explains the syllabus over and over again and I felt that was a waste of my time since literally all of the information about his class is available on his website. His lectures are redundant and boring, but he won't let you multitask (you'll get kicked out if your phone rings). The quizzes/tests are pretty easy, just a lot to read.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MUSI1
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Would not recommend taking if already taking heavy work load. Not good class for GE because prof makes you work for the A. The average on the tests were C's with only about 5 people receiving A's. Good EC opportunity to raise grade by 5% but even getting to that point requires work.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC8
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Music 8 is a great class for learning how to make electronic music. You don' tneed to buy the software as you get time in class to do the assignments. His assignments a are very clear. He spells out everything you need to demonstrate on his very good website. Things move quickly do don't miss class if at all possible.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC8
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He explains the assignment very well, but too well/much. He is also strict when it comes to lectures. You are not allowed to look at the computer or work on your assignments when he is lecturing. He explains the same concept with different examples like the whole class time, so you don't get enough time to finish the assignment, even your final.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC51
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Dan Mitchell is THE professor to seek a class with if one wishes to learn how to create Electronic Music and wants a firm, structured understanding of the subject. His lectures can be tedious at times but there is a lot of work time in class to balance it out. Overall a very great teacher

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC56
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I thought he was a very knowledgeable teacher who gave very thorough and clear explanations on each assignment. It helps to have a basic knowledge of music theory before taking the course.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MUSI1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I would be prepared to WORK. Weekly readings (outside of class) and quizzes each week on the readings. A homework/listening assignment goes along with the weekly readings. Textbook and music cd/music card is REQUIRED. He helps you out by giving quiz retakes and extra credit. If you STUDY and come PREPARED, you will be fine.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC8
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Mitchell is an electronic music guru, plain and simple. He's entertaining, super helpful, patient, and has forgotten more than you'll ever know when it comes to computer-based music creation and sound synthesis in general. Yeah, it may sound like an easy class, but take it seriously and you'll be a better musician than ever before. Thanks!!!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 1A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

work hard and its easy

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC1A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

For this class u really have to study hard, professor is very organized, gives extra credit opportunity

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC1A
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

really bad professor, lectures are boring, and he sometimes loses the homework you turn in and give you no credit, not recommended.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MUSI1A
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

This is supposed to be an intro to music class yet he treats you like if you are a music major. Quizes each week are easy and he lets you retake them. Three hard exams. He requires you to know like 20 composers and what they did...wtf. There is a mandatory 4 hour classical concert you attend and pay +$40 and write an essay(HARD. HK = HARD + TIME

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MUSID051
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dan is very committed to teaching and will go out of his way to help if you are a serious student. Yes, he micromanages but it's needed in a slacker community. He has 0 tolerance for goof offs and will take pains to make sure you are prepared if you actually want to learn. Great teacher for music.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He's a little strict, but a great teacher. Do his hwk, read the book, go to class, and take notes. He pauses to make jokes or ramble, relax then. He'll grade you on what you put down, not how much you put down. One mandatory concert. Ask him if you need help, he's old but on the ball. Very classy and orderly. Sort of hip, like an ex hippie.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Mr. Mitchell is a great teacher, knows the subject, and manages to keep the class very interactive even though it's basically a lecture course. Do absolutely all of the reading and listening if you want an A, and look at the examples of concert reports online before even picking your concert, as it's a big part of the class. Would recommend.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MUSI1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Would not recommend this class for gen ed. He means well and knows his stuff, but his teaching style isnt spectacular. There is a short assignment and quiz every week, plus a long and difficult concert report. He is an extremely picky grader. This class was fun sometimes, but his micromanagerial style made me feel like I was revisiting 5th grade.