John Pierce - Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA

Professor: John Pierce

Department: Ensemble

College: Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENJZ200
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

John is a cool guy and killer bass player. He made ensemble a fun time and always brought cool tunes.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENMX200014
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He was not my favorite. He was very impatient with our group. (Apparently mixed styles means Jazz & samba tunes). He makes very condescending remarks. Wouldn't recommend.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ET2
• Grade Received: D
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

John is a really, really nice and down to earth, funny guy. I spoke with him multiple times outside of class and he was very nice and helpful. His class is extremely fast paced and difficult to do well in. I had never taken ET and it was A LOT OF WORK. He is a very harsh grader on homework, fair on the final, BUT DO NOT TAKE IF YOU DONT PUT TIME IN

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ET2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I had him for ET2. He is a good teacher and if you follow through with the work of the class, you can really improve. The material he teaches is really helpful. I was able to learn a lot through his classes. It isn't an easy A class, but it is worth putting in the effort. He seems very strict but he's actually a good teacher.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ET112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This guy gives way to much homework. Extra songs to learn, makes you do root motions for all the extra songs as well. I would say at least an hour of homework for every class if you want to pass. If you want to spend all your time practicing Ear training instead of practicing your instrument take this class. But really don't do it.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ET2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a good teacher, but can be a very harsh grader. He knows what he's talking about. If you work hard, you can really learn a lot.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ET112
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

John's ear training is strict and harsh, but certainly very solid. He tests you almost on every class which forces you to practice no matter what. he gives you candid but helpful advice. there were lots of pressure while taking this class but I've gone out of the class with a much better ear and pitch. Should take if you want to improve a lot

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ET2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The worst Professor I ever had in Berklee.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ET3
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

John has good intentions. He does seem very harsh and mean at first but in general he is a great teacher and he makes you work like crazy. The amount of homework he gives is a lot and he tests you almost every class but my ear training has improved tremendously.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ET1
• 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:

John is well intentioned but I found him to not be very patient and a bit harsh. If you want to be pushed, take this his class, but be prepared for homework performance checks almost every day.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ET1122A
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

John is a great teacher who will place a strong focus on every day. Practicing the material every day is essential, if you don't, you will not survive, It's not easy, let me tell you. But he is kind, patient, very wise and he improved my skills vastly.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ET2
• 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:

John is very much a no nonsense professor. He was very straightforward and quite strict, but also good fun. He gave us work that was at least ET3 standard and so the whole class was pushed hard. Good in the long run for your studies but not good in finals week when you have a million other subjects to finish.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENJZ000
• 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:

Very good man. Very encouraging and motivating in his big band ensemble.

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

will make you work hard. You have to be prepared every day, but when you take another et class, you will realize how much you know/learned because of it. Also relates et stuff to harmony and jazz tunes, which is extremely helpful. Seems really strict but is actually nice on the grading, etc as long as you do your work. Also, just a nice guy.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENSB311
• 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:

He is good at Horn Sections.I won't deny him as a human being, but... the ensemble was just harsh and hard work for guitar player. He gave me messy, less organized, and wrong scores and demand me to play them. No fun to go to the ensemble. Also sometimes, bad at contact.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ET112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

John Pierce is a nice teacher, but if your new to sightreading, melodic dictation, or just simple ear training I would advise you to take a teacher who is more willing to develop your ear and not rush through material !! Overall great guy, but favors those who are advanced and can be quite harsh if you happen to mess up on a daily quiz.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENSB311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Is the best ensemble teacher I had at Berklee. And I tried many before I was able to say that. He is helpful, respectful, full of useful advice. He would never miss a class or be late. He does what he says and vice versa, and his office hours are warm and friendly. He makes you memorize tunes, which is great, and grades according to a fair system.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ET1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Intense class, but definately fine as long as you practice the HW. Nice guy, always there for help. Daily quizzes but gives you a chance to work up a good average so one bad day wont kill you.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ET1
• 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:

great instructor, very helpful after class or in his office hour will take his time to explain in a way i could understand.. the time spent on each chaper was kinda skrewy we would spend a while on one and then.. very little time on the next... although i feel very ready for ET2 would take a class from him again! over all good teacher

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ET2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

i get mixed signals from him. he is extremely nice and will remember your name, but at the same time he will whoop your ass when its time for your almost daily quiz. then you go back to more helpful advice, then pleasent goodbyes, and a ton of homework. i had to practice every day. if you want to learn, take him, if you want to slack, stay away.