Robert Spring - Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Professor: Robert Spring

Department: Music

College: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MUS727
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Spring loves to gossip about other professionals and students, to students. He also is not organized and often forgets what you say. Furthermore, Spring does not know how to play well anymore, likes to waste time in lessons, and emails people during dress rehearsals. I would recommend anywhere but ASU with Spring.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MUP311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Egotistical & hypocritical. Insults students behind their back as well as passively to their face. Regularly reschedules lessons so he can travel. Will only think you are doing well if he doesn't have to make the effort of actually teaching you. Requires you to devote an insane amount of time towards attending recitals & rehearsals. Awful teacher.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MUP727
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Do the work and he will be helpful!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MUP111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a weird guy, but he's super helpful and supportive. He and Dr Gardner have helped me so much in just one semester.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUP311
• 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:

I studied with him for 5 years. Students will get out of lessons what they put into them. The warm-up is fundamental and the studio is supportive. He DOES check email during lessons and cancels them, but he turns out professional players. Expect 4-5 hours of daily practice when you study with him. You will be glad you did.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MUP527
• 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:

Dr. Spring never checked emails during my lesson. I have studied with others who routinely took calls from contractors during lessons, but to my knowledge Spring never did that and was good about focusing on me. I know him as a dedicated teacher and a fine artist, nothing else. Take some lessons before enrolling. That way you see for yourself.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MUS527
• 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:

Spring is a total loss as teacher and a bubblegum player. Go anyplace other than asu

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MUP527
• 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:

can't wait to get out from a under this guy. he is really a failure as a player, but his teaching is even worse. odd odd odd odd

Rating # 9

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I don't know how there could be so many negative comments on here about him; he's been one of the most helpful and influential teachers I've had. He gives helpful tips on clarinet, and he's always provided me with positive reinforcement. I guess having a sense of humor and learning from someone who takes the clarinet seriously isn't for everyone..

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MUP527
• 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:

Dr. Spring is an amazing teacher. His warm-up is critical, and until you have it down, he might check email while making it clear that he does not tolerate any slacking where articulation/finger patterns/tone/sound/intonation are concerned. We quickly focused on repertoire in my lessons,which is his true strength. Lazy clarinetists need not apply.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MUP527
• 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:

Save your money. Instead of teaching, he simply listens to you play, then will not teach you how to fix a thing - probably because he has no idea how to actually PLAY the clarinet. Not to mention the trash-talking, the short fuse, the constant cancellation of lessons, lack of pedagogy.... the list goes on. Worst decision I ever made.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MUP127
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Spring is very gossipy, and encourages his students to be the same way. He pits us against each other and the other studio. He feels he is better than others, and is incredibly rude. I havn't learned anything in lessons. He frequently cancels or wastes time during lessons. Do not come to ASU, or if you do study with Jana Starling.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MUP527
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very difficult to work with. Does check e-mails and take phone calls during lessons. Unpredictable disposition. Dramatic and self-serving. Inauthentic. Does gossip about other faculty members. Irrational behavior. Great player, but not a lot of teaching going on. Students excel b/c of each other (not because there is a pedagogical genius at work).

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MUS747
• 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:

very arrogant and rude.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MUP427
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Checks e-mails during lessons, cancels lessons and won't let you make them up, offers no feedback whatsoever, no concept of pedagogy... basically a waste of time and money, unless you want to be a music major that accomplishes NOTHING and easily coasts through school.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MUP527
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

All he does is check emails, flirt, gossip, lie, he is disgusting.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MUSCLAR
• 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:

SO ARE THE COMMENTS ABOUT HIS CHECKING EMAILS AND STUFF TRUE???????????? SOMEONE PLEASE ANSWER

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MUP527
• 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:

World class artist who cares about each student as if they were his own child.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CLARINET
• 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:

Everything that I've read about him that's not on this website tells me he's an AMAZING, world class musician, who has appeared nationally in performances/clinics. Checking emails during lessons? Does he REALLY do that with his students, or is this website just a lark to put stuff like that? I really don't know...someone please tell the truth.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MUS444
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This poor man thinks he's a great player. Well, Prof. Spring, you ain't no great player. And quick f--king doing emails during lessons. It's my dime!