John Thomsen - De Anza College

Professor: John Thomsen

Department: TBD

College: De Anza College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC12A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I thank him for pushing me to learn piano. The end results were amazing, and I was inspired to continue becoming better not just in music but in other aspects of my life.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The class is too boring but quite easy. He gives you study guide before quiz and final, make sure you follow and study then you're fine. 6 quizzes(usually 20 questions on each), 1 concert report, 1 final. There are a lot of in-class assignment but he will let you know when he collects it. He also offers lots of extra credits. Fairly easy class!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MUSI12A
• 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:

It's not hard to get an A. Just keep practicing 30' minutes per day.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC12A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Thomsen is really good at playing piano. Sometimes you can get the chance to see him playing good pieces for the class. I love his performances. You might think he is so strict at the first time you see him, but actually he is really nice, patient and always gives you many good advice. Highly recommend taking his class!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUSI12A
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Thomsen is an extraordinary musician and mentor. His passion for music shows in his teaching. Whether you can play an instrument or have no musical experience this class is for you. John takes you step by step through the basics and gives you all the tools needed to succeed. I have taken his 12A and 12B class. Would highly recommend.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC12A
• 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:

Excellent teacher! For piano techniques that were difficult for me, he broke them down into manageable small steps. I learned a lot from him. He is also a fantastic pianist. Just listening to play is worth going to class!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MUSI1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He waves his hands around a lot. I didn't expect him to be such a great pianist. Loved the music I listened to in his class. Great guy, but sometimes he seemed disappointed when we didn't get his jokes. But he tries!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MUSI12A
• 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:

Great teacher. Took Piano 1A and he was very understanding if needed a little extra time to practice the weekly assignment pieces. He is an amazing pianist. Good overall class!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

First of all, if you have an extensive background in music (like I do), DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS, just wasting your time learning things you already know. Aside from that, Mr. Thomsen is a really good teacher, passionate about music, and a superb pianist. Emphasis on listening and "ear training" in this class. Listen to lectures and you are fine.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MUSI1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Extremely boring class, but fairly easy. 1 test for each section of the book. Tests questions are straight from the book, making his lessons kind of useless. Late work has to be sent through post mail. Won't let you look at the notes after he's moved on. 2 concert reports on what you felt about the concert. Bad teacher, easy class, not worth it.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MUSI1D
• 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:

Great class with a lot of useful and interesting information. Quizzes, however many, are incredibly easy to study for because he provides listening examples that give you a more clear description of the material than any lecture notes could be. I loved his class, and found that I learned a lot. And got an A too

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC1A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

his study guides are useless. has inflexible teaching style. expects way to much.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC1A
• 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:

I took both music 1A and Music 12A with him. I loved the class and learned a lot! He's the best you can get! take him!!!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC1A
• 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:

great instructor and well organized. learned a lot from him. don't give up, and you will be rewarded. there are make ups and retakes plus extra credit. do take his class, its useful and you will also learn a lot. PS; stay awake and pay attention in class, test questions will be reviewed without you knowing it ;)

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC1A
• 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:

He is truly easy and helpful.Even if you mess up for "quiz" you can still keep practicing and you will be able to retake it. As long as you are dedicated in music, you will be fine. Learned lot from his class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC12A
• 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:

Everybody hates musi 1a, it's just the nature of the class, not Mr Thomsen's fault. I like his class a lot, though it's not really easy, you hav to practise ur arse off. But he's really encouraging to those who's not doing well enough. Super easy A only when you practise

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC12A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I think the negative ratings are from the distress with the stuff they are studying, not form the prof. Mr Thomsen is very sweet, down to earth and encouraging when you're not doing well yet. Those whoo find piano 1 challenging I'm sure didn't have enough practice. You need to practice a lot to really enjoy this class. I'm taking him again in piano

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC12A
• 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:

Prof. Thomsen is a great teacher. He is very patient and nice to students. I'm beginner and I learned a lot from this class several quarters ago.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I had him for summer and the material is extremely easy. Homework and quiz every week, easy midterm and extremely easy final. He speaks in a monotone voice, but the material he talks about is important.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MUSI12A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

this was a piano lab class. i really wanted to learn to play piano. i expected him to demonstrate the pieces we were to learn, but he never did which was frustrating. the one piece i recognized, he didn't allow us to learn. it was a saturday class, 3hrs, and three pieces were required a week. he killed any interest i had in learning to play piano.