David Long - University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA

Professor: David Long

Department: Music

College: University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MUTH385
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This professor gets a bad wrap for no good reason. He's an expert and expects that you actually learn. The subject matter is clearly explained and he will happily meet you and go over things. He does NOT suffer fools. Get in gear and you'll be fine. Very fair. Old school

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MUTH391
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very knowledgeable professor. He can explain any element of music theory to both abstract and academic degrees, allowing for a well-rounded grasp on the material. He likes to tell stories frequently and can be quite funny. Would recommend if you seriously value your education.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MUTH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Uses an outdate syllabus from 5 years ago. Talks constantly about his kids and doesn't go over the hw problems. Not very helpful. Can't get help from anyone else because he wrote the book and he makes sure you know that. Not a typical music theory class and being an experience music major doesn't necessarily prepare you for the class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MUTH181
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Okay so I play like 4 instruments, but this class is SUCH A PAIN IN THE ASS. You NEED music theory history in this class. If you don't have any music theory history, you will fail. You can not skip class, and you need to pay attention. Very fast-paced class and it made me change my major.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUTH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A very nice guy. His lectures are interesting and easy to follow, especially since he wrote the book we use in class. He's always happy to answer questions, and doesn't really care if you sleep through class or play on your phone. Always gives at least a week's notice before an exam. If you read and pay attention, you'll do well.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MUTH181
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very confusing. I've had prior music experience playing multiple instruments for 8 years and took a music theory class in high school and was STILL always confused in this class. Not that bad if you have prior music experience but be prepared to teach yourself from the textbook because professor Long does not really teach.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MUTH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Run! This class was rough for me, and I have prior music experience. Don't expect to learn the material in class. Dr. Long would rather chatrant about subjects that don't pertain to music theory. Make sure you read the textbook. Be prepared to teach yourself the material or find a tutor as he does not like to provide help outside of class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MUTH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I have been reading and playing music for years, and am studious. I'm usually bad at math so I was a little nervous, but I was willing to work hard and memorize so that made the class easy. Don't expect Dr. Long to teach the material though (lectures are comprised of fun facts, jokes, and tangents). I mostly taught myself from the coursepack.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MUTH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Having been musically inclined all my life (reading sheet music and playing various instruments), I thought this would be fun although I knew it would be challenging. It was more challenge than fun, and I would not recommend as Gen Ed. Long confuses even simple explanations.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MUTH181A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Long is the worst teacher I have ever had in all my years of schooling. He knows the material but he cannot teach at all. In a given 50 minute class, he probably does about 10 minutes of actual teaching. The rest of the time, he talks about random stuff that has nothing to do with music nor the material. I do NOT advise you to take this class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MUTH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Long turned simple concepts into cryptic puzzles. He teaches from a coursepack that HE WROTE, so no matter how you study, you can't avoid his muddled diction. He's EXTREMELY tangential. Usually he's nice; however, when I emailed him for help installing MacGamut over Spring Break, he responded rudely and disrespectfully. Would not recommend.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MUSICTHEORY1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I'm not sure what prior raters are complaining about. If you are at college to work hard and learn, you will LOVE Dr. Long. His courses are very difficult, but this attracts the true academic. He is knowledgeable and is clear in his delivery of instruction. If you want an easy way to fill a gen ed, stay clear. If you want to LEARN, sign up now.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MUSICTHEORY181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Long is a nice,fun guy but if you come into the class knowing NOTHING about music you WILL FAIL! Also if you need extra help and it takes you a long time to actually understand things then you WILL FAIL. If you need a tutor forget about it! They're all students and all the "tutors" are always SO "BUSY" that they don't want to help!RUN RUN RUN

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: TH101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

181: Dr. Long is one of those professors that is extremely knowledgeable in their subject, but cannot teach a class. He goes on tangents for the entire class, and rarely showing you examples of the problems that will be on the test. He isn't helpful during office hours. If you think this will be a good math to take for your gen ed THINK AGAIN.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MUTH385
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Long is extremely knowledgeable about music, and he lives and breaths music theory. If you are also a music theory nerd, you can have some great discussions and get a lot of questions answered, but for the majority of students, Long is challenging and condescending. I have really enjoyed taking his classes, but it is a lot of hard work.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MUTH281
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Long may be the most difficult teacher I've ever dealt with. As if the subject isn't hard enough, if you are not doing well you basically don't exist to him anymore. He says he wants to help you during office hours, but if you go he has a poor attitude and is condescending. Alas I have to deal with him for my major. Take him if necessary.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MUTH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Long is definitely my favorite professor here, so far. His class is easy if you already come in with some knowledge of music, but if you don't, and don't pick it up quickly, don't expect him to like you. His lectures are full of fun rants, but can get dull at times. I recommend taking his class for those who already know some about music.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MUTH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class is very challenging. I have seen both sides of Prof Long. First semester, I got an A. Second semester, I got a D. If you're doing well in the class, it's enjoyable for you. If you arent doing well in the class, expect him to write you off and treat you as a slacker. Point blank.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MUTH181A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's not a bad teacher; he knows what he's talking about and can explain it if you ask him. You don't have to go to class, though, because you can just teach yourself straight from the coursepack. MacGAMUT is a pain, and there are lots of tests, but other than that it's not too hard. His grades are purely objective so just do it right.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MUTH181
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I hate Long. I hate MacGamut. I learned nothing useful or interesting in this class. He likes to mark stuff wrong, because I've had plenty of mistakes on my tests of his grading. Avoid this class at all costs.