John McCann - Tufts University, Medford, MA

Professor: John McCann

Department: Music

College: Tufts University, Medford, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MUS010
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor McCann is one of the best professors I have ever had. He is hilarious and has an extremely impressive knowledge of music history/theory. I've taken both Music 10 and intro to songwriting with him. He just wants you to learn, classes are not hard. As long as you show an interest in the material and try, you will have a great time.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MUS010
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Very loose guidelines. Do the work, you'll get an A. Very nice guy! Don't piss him off.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MUS010
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, extremely knowledgeable about his subject and does a good job of explaining it (most of the time).If you ask a question he will try his hardest to answer it and re-explain it. If you skip you will fall behind because he does move kinda fast. Hilarious guy and just wants his students to do well.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MUS0001
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof. McCann is super funny and nice. Very musically talented. One of the best I've had at Tufts.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUS010
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great professor. You can submit test corrections or retake quizzes until you get the grade you want, and he makes himself available for help.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MUS10
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very nice professor, obviously wants everyone to do well. Intro to Music theory was harder than I expected, but I am very happy I took it, and would recommend to my friends. Great guy, very funny, little erratic with his teaching, however very cool.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: WE
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Just do it. Wind ensemble is fun, good music, good people, and John is a great conductor. He never guilts you and just wants you to show up to class and try your best.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MUS010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Gives little attention or care to those who have no prior knowledge even though it is an INTRO course. Moves fast, kind of condescending if you're struggling, poor explanations of material, very unorganized. Funny guy, tells some great stories but seriously, take Mus 10 with someone else if it's available.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MUS10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Though it is an intro class, the professor assumed everyone had knowledge of the topic already. He taught to the highest level of knowledge, and when asked to clarify topics, he usually just repeated the (insufficient) explanation already given. I taught myself almost all of what I learned in this class. Take this course with a different professor!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MUS10
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Really upbeat professor, very approachable, never boring. Tells funny stories and genuinely wants you to do well, even if you need more time or help. Class is fast paced, so make sure to speak up if you get lost.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MUS10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Honestly felt uncomfortable going to class because I never knew what he was talking about. Moves fast and teaches in an unorthodox manner which only those with knowledge coming into the class seem to moderately understand, and even then, sometimes leave more confused. Great guy but shouldn't be teaching.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MUS10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Awful professor. Nice, funny guy, but I left with less knowledge of music theory than I came in with. Has a great understanding of the material he is teaching but can't convey it to students. Must come in with prior knowledge or you will not know what he is talking about ever. Don't take his courses if you actually want to learn.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MUS010
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Overall, he's less than average. He's a very funny man. Very little homework. The problems with him are his clarity, pace and encouragement. He digresses a lot, and I mean a lot. The class requires some knowledge of the basics because he only glosses over the basics. Also, you're screwed if you miss one class. Very hard to make up assignments.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MUS10
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I don't know how he's gotten so many good reviews. Hands down one of the worst professors I've ever had. Completely misled that it could be done with no previous knowledge. Embarrasses you if you dont know the material yet he'll only show you how things should be without backing it up with why. Only likes or helps those who already know A LOT

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MUS83
• 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:

John goes on some rants sometimes but we love him for it. Adorable and hilarious. Call him "D-Mac." He'll love it.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MUS69
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Wind Ensemble is great with McCann. He's an extremely laid back professor who will give you an A if you just show up to rehearsals. It's not competitive, and it's not too strenuous. He's a laid back kind of guy, and that's the way it should be. Great class. Fairly solid conductor too.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MUS0001
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Really amazing guy and wonderful teacher! I always enjoyed going to class even though the material was harder for me than others. He really wants his students to succeed and learn. I strongly recommend his class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MUS10
• 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:

Great Prof. He really cares and wants his student to learn. He also realizes you have other classes, so the course load is very manageable. I always look forward to class. Some background in music is recommended (he does not spend much time on the basics) I would definitely recommend this class

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MUS010
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He's the greatest guy ever. Not only does he have a fantastic taste in music but he also cares about you doing well AND learning. He's the nicest guy and just has the funny, charming old man thing going for him. Definitely take intro to music theory with him; as an engineer, it's the greatest liberal arts class I've taken thus far.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MUS10
• 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 teacher, really wants students to succeed. He's also really in tune with adapting to different people's skill levels. Also a genuinely funny and nice person, so I would definitely recommend taking his class