Deanna Walker - Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Professor: Deanna Walker

Department: Music

College: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MUTH1125
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Best choice you could make would be to take a class with her. She's really passionate about helping you get your thoughts out onto the page and knows how to be encouraging while also offering valuable constructive feedback.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MUTH1125
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I just finished Songwriting 2 with Deanna and it was the only class this semester that I was devastated to leave. Deanna is so amazing and I have grown significantly as a songwriter since studying with her. She provides a really open and constructive classroom environment. I am truly heartbroken the course doesn't fit in my schedule next semester.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MUTH1120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I LOVE DEANNA. She is so amazing. She is so kind and caring. She's solid at teaching theory. She'll make time outside of class to help and give you advice and support however she can. I can't wait to take Songwriting 2!!!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MUTH1120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Really chill, creative! Can be a little disorganized, but I love the comfy atmosphere and her adult sessions (inspirational! Guest speakers like Shelly Peiken). If anything, I wish she'd explained more about creating melodies/chord progressions for songs (we covered a lot of theory and writing/lyric techniques), although we improvised a lot.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUTH1120
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

If you are a super creative and talented musician, this class is not for you. Take a higher level songwriting or composing class, or you will be bored. Otherwise: have fun, be musical, and boost your GPA!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MUSC100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Such a fun class! The actual song writing part is easy. As long as it shows that you put in a little effort, she'll give you a good grade for it. Music theory, however, is a little more tricky. If you are someone who has never taken theory before, make sure you pay attention and do the hw (easy). Very fun class!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MUSC100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Walker was pretty much useless. I got the feeling that she was much more involved in her own music career than teaching---a year later, I'm still getting emails on her list serv asking if I know people in the music industry who can help her, or to come pay and watch her show. She was a fine professor, but I got tired of being means to an end.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MUSC100
• 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:

Deanna was my favorite teacher and is one of the sweetest people that will go out of her way to be as helpful as possible! She's a genuinely talented songwriter herself, yet is very down-to-earth and friendly. She also sings/plays piano. Attending the night class was great too! I'm hoping on taking some more of her classes if at all possible.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MUSC102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I took D's class 3 times. I absolutely loved it and looked forward to it. The classes are SUPER EASY. Don't bother buying or reading the textbooks. Attendance is mandatory though, and you're required to go to D's adult night class 3 times a semester. You don't have to know how to play an instrument, either. The assignments are lyric-based.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MUSC102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I've taken Songwriting 1 and 2. 1 is a lot harder than 2 because of the music theory. 2 is much easier and funner. Make sure you keep up with your journal so you don't end up rushing it at the end of the semester. Songs are critiqued by classmates. If you have stagefright, you're going to have to get over it because the final exam is at the Commons

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MUSC100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great, fun, and informative class. Don't let the comments below fool you. It's not 100% easy. Half the class is writing songs, and the other half is music theory. It's basic music theory but still difficult for someone unfamiliar with it. I recommend this class if you have a genuine interest in songwriting, but I would not recommend it as a blowoff

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MUSC100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Deanna is pretty much perfect. There's really nothing at all challenging about this class if you pay attention to the theory lessons. It's an easy A but totally not a class to just blow off Deanna puts all of herself into teaching and loves when you do the same with your songs. you HAVE to take this class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MUSC100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

hardest thing about this class is just being brave enough to perform a song in front of the class. Homework isn't too bad but can feel sort of like rote drilling in order to create memorization but maybe that's just how to learn music. She sounds like she is from California (she's from New Mexico).

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Best class! D is so helpful and so interesting. Theory work can be tedious, but she is willing to help you if you need it! If you are shy, you better get over it because you are required to perform your songs in class..so fun!!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MUSC100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

She's really laid back and cool but does expect you to do the assignments on time. She wants everyone to do well and grades assignments based on effort (except for theory stuff). Take the class its really fun!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MUSC100
• 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:

Such a fun class!! D is super helpful and willing to work with you to make sure you have a good grasp on the material! If you are shy about performing your songs in class...you're going to have to get over it :) Loved the class!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MUSC100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

D is one of the most chill professors at Vandy. She seems to know everything about the music industry (both lyrics and music) and getting into the business. No prior knowledge of either music theory of songwriting is required, but any would be helpful. Eager to help and answer any questions. Very open, chill, and encouraging.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MUSC100
• 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:

She's awesome! Totally recommend her class to anyone who is interested in learning more about music and then applying that knowledge to making original songs. She's very open-minded and supportive; no one is "bad at music." Very nice- her class rocks.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MUSC100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

be careful taking this class. unless you are an experienced musician, both in theory and in songwriting, you will find yourself far behind the rest of the class and this teacher. she cares but can be a huggggggeeee ****h.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MUSC101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

very cool - she expects you to do the work (which it seems like there's too much of for a beginning music class) but as long as you attempt it, you'll get a good grade. and it's not hard, just repetitive.