Barry Martin - Grand Valley State University

Professor: Barry Martin
Department: Music
College: Grand Valley State University
Rating # 1
Overview:
  • Course: MUS100
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
I took MUS 100 for my art credit thinking it wouldn't be too difficult as I had lots of music experience--I was wrong. He lectures very quickly from the minute class starts until the very end and doesn't stop for questions. Tests are okay but you need to know lots of material, which he barely teaches. Wouldn't recommend him
Rating # 2
Overview:
  • Course: MUS129
  • 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:
took this class for an art credit and dropped it halfway through the semester as this class was hard (even if you have had music history) and the prof just expects you to understand everything right away.
Rating # 3
Overview:
  • Course: MUS229
  • Grade Received: C+
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
I stand by the fact that Music 129 was the hardest class I've taken thus far. Professor Martin made is so much harder than it had to be and the man is a hard-ass about EVERYTHING. I thought I would've done fine, and I should've been, since I've done band for 10 years. Pick a different prof unless you want to devote your entire semester to a gen ed.
Rating # 4
Overview:
  • Course: MUS129
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
I did not like Professor Martin at all. He says you do not need musical experience, but you most definitely do. If you miss any classes or aren't paying attention 100% of the time, you will fall behind in the class really quickly. When we moved online, he was terrible. The videos were barely legible. He also only calls you to answer questions.
Rating # 5
Overview:
  • Course: MUS100
  • Grade Received: Not sure yet
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Looked through this app to find the best music teacher and of course last minute GVSU swtiched the professor to this guy. PICK A DIFF PROF. For a gen ed class, this guy took everything way too seriously and made it harder than it had to be for no reason at all. He was rude and when he lectured, he would go so fast and wouldn't explain things well
Rating # 6
Overview:
  • Course: MUS100
  • Grade Received: Not sure yet
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Walked in one second late to class and he said he needed to see me after. After class he was extremely rude to me about it. Even though attendance isn't supposed to be mandatory this year becuase of covid, he said "technically attendance isn't mandatory, but you can't pass without participation in class". so basically made it mandatory anyway.
Rating # 7
Overview:
  • Course: MUS129
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
my review is a bit biased because music comes easier to me than most people, but professor martin was still great. straight to what you need to know, no bs or time wasted in class which i appreciate. hes pretty serious but not a bad professor at all.
Rating # 8
Overview:
  • Course: MUS129
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
He seems nice but takes music too seriously. Acts like all his students should be trained professionals. Doesnt slow down and isnt very clear. If you play an instrument you should be fine but if you dont know anything about music, stay away.
Rating # 9
Overview:
  • Course: MUS129
  • Grade Received: B
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
*raises hand Professor Martin, what page are we on? Does anyone else not know what page we are on? No? *continues on with lecture without telling me what page we are on. This class was the worst class of my undergrad. Class attendance is a requirement and he is very rude and not helpful when you are having troubles understanding material
Rating # 10
Overview:
  • Course: MUS129
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 2.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Professor Martin was helpful at times, but this was a very hard class for an entry level. I had been in band for 7 years and thought this would be a breeze. I was SO wrong. We had to write down the patterns he played on the piano and that was hard, we had to memorize major and minor scales (all), etc. One of the hardest classes Ive ever had.
Rating # 11
Overview:
  • Course: MUS129
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 4.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
If you don't have extensive knowledge of music and how it works before taking this class, don't take it with him. The only reason I got through this class was because I had choir for 6 years with a really tough director. He's not the nicest guy and you have to participate at least every class. You need to work hard.
Rating # 12
Overview:
  • Course: MUS129
  • Grade Received: C+
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
This was the worst class I have ever taken. And I am a nursing major. I took this for an art credit, and I would not recommend this class to anyone who isn't already a music expert. The course title is very misleading. The tests are completely open response, and there are far too many questions to answer in a short time. Turn back now.
Rating # 13
Overview:
  • Course: MUS129
  • Grade Received: C
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
This class was a gen ed class but he taught it as if it were a major class senior year
Rating # 14
Overview:
  • Course: MUS129
  • Grade Received: Not sure yet
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
He does not use blackboard at all and only post your midterm and final grade. You don't know what grade you have until the end of the course. This class is supposed to be for non-music majors but is incredibly difficult. Participation is very important in this course. He will call you out for your mistakes in front of everyone in class.
Rating # 15
Overview:
  • Course: MUS129
  • Grade Received: Not sure yet
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
I took this for a general education art credit. Mistake. It was fast paced so I went to Prof for help and he told me to "try harder." He's grouchy, has high expectations, and DOESN'T USE BLACKBOARD, so you have to ask him what your grade is. He gets irritated when nobody volunteers, then calls on people who he knows don't know the answer.
Rating # 16
Overview:
  • Course: MUS129
  • Grade Received: C
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 5.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
The "Not my tempo" scene from Whiplash, is a good example of what it feels like to be in his class. He is very intimidating and does not give helpful feedback. He may be a musical "genius," but should definitely not be teaching an entry level music class. Ended up being my hardest class all semester. DO NOT RECOMMEND.
Rating # 17
Overview:
  • Course: MUS129
  • Grade Received: C-
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
This has been one of the most difficult core classes I have ever taken at GV. It is a class for non-music majors, but if you don't have a substantial musical background you will have to work hard. He is text book heavy and does not give instruction well. Feed back was never positive and he can be rude. Don't expect additional help. Beware.
Rating # 18
Overview:
  • Course: MUS129
  • Grade Received: A
  • Overall Rating: 3.0
  • Course Difficulty: 3.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
Having a strong musical history helps a ton, if you know nothing of music find someone in class that does, he is not helpful to those who do not understand music, saw lots of people struggling while the few of us with more musical knowledge had a much easier time and answered most in class questions.
Rating # 19
Overview:
  • Course: MUS100
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
He expects you to know everything about all the music you listen to. If you don't sit in your room and listen to the listenings repeatedly, you will struggle. He is very rude, and not very helpful. He also reads straight out of the book but still expects you to come to class, and if you miss more than two classes he will mark you down.
Rating # 20
Overview:
  • Course: MUS129
  • Grade Received: N/A
  • Overall Rating: 1.0
  • Course Difficulty: 4.0
  • For Credit: Yes
  • Textbook Used: Yes
  • Would Take Again: No
  • Attendance: Mandatory
Comment:
You must have a musical background to take this class. He expects you to memorize all material every week. Exams are a major part of your grade. The professor is rude and mean. He doesn't help you and talks to you like you are stupid when you ask questions. Only has 1 hour a week of walk-in office hours otherwise you have to make an appointment.
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