Customer Reviews

OnMusic Appreciation

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

This software is used by my college for the online version of its music appreciation course. Overall, there is a lot of very good material with many listening examples. The course focuses heavily on the fundamentals of music, then on music history. There are, however, some sections dealing with 20th century music. I really enjoyed this course, but had problems keeping up with the course due to the layout of the program.

Your "textbook" is a combination of a website and the 2 cds sold in this package. The material presented online is just as much, if not more than you would find in a typical college text. There is no nice way of viewing the material offline and the music tracks on the CD's have fun names like HEO6HS.mp3. To access the music, you are supposed to click on the links in the lesson on the website, which is a weblink that opens a realplayer stream of the correct mp3 or portion of an mp3. You cannot use this feature while offline and you must have realplayer installed. I found this setup highly inconvenient as I was not expecting to have to spend so many hours glued to a computer screen and tied to the internet.

I understand it is an "online" course, but that typically entails a syllabus online, doing the bulk of your learning/studying from a book that can go anywhere and needs no screen or internet connection, going online for a little bit to interact with online activities or the professor and going on to the next lesson.

Other than the inconvenient setup I feel that the course was excellent, earning it 4 stars despite the technical issues.

I'm just going to enter my freshman year in college, and I ordered this CD-ROM, though I did understand there not being a registration code, I didn't know that I could not just buy my own code off the home website. I don't understand the point of people selling the used copies of this "CD-ROM" Textbook when those who buy them can't get a hold of a registration code. I suggest you not buy any used copy. And just put in the extra dollars to buy a new copy. Hopefully, I can return this product back to my seller.

I'm taking this class online. I have the newest 3rd edition, but I couldn't find it on Amazon to review. (I bought it from my school bookstore.) My teacher has the class set up to be self-paced, so nothing is due until May. Because of this, I haven't gotten very far into the program, but I like it so far. There are lots of music clips and examples, and lots of good information. The set up was a bit annoying and took a while because all of the help pages on the site are made for the 2nd edition, and haven't been updated for the 3rd edition, which has a different interface and only has 1 DVD instead of 2 CDs.

My main complaint is simply in the fact that this program can only be used once, and cannot be bought back like a used textbook can. For a poor resourceful student like myself, who always buys cheap used copies and never buys new books unless it's absolutely necessary, I was appalled to learn that I had to spend an extra $140 for a class that I'm essentially just taking for a few extra unneeded units. I have NEVER spent that much on a book before, because I can always find them discounted online, used or new. It's a total waste that you can only use the access code once; you can't try the class out and decide you don't like it without wasting all of your money, you can't get a refund, you can't share it with anyone, you can't buy a used copy, and you can't buy it back for any money at the end of the semester. REALLY annoying and expensive!!!

When I received this cd for my online music class, the cd case was broken, I didn't really mind that much. But, when I went to register the cd with its serial number the connect4education people (the online source that my class visits to do the online work) they informed me that the serial number cannot be re used so therefore I would need to get my money back and buy a new cd. That's why I wanted my refund and I want to return the the cd. I'm not in any way upset with Amazon and I don't think this will keep me from ordering again.

Thanks for your time and help.

Kristen Sampson

I find it disheartening that I can only use this product ONCE in my Music Appreciation course, considering the price tag on this product. It is not advisable to use a used version of this, for there is an activation code that be used ONCE, and cannot be used again. Puts a major dent in the wallet, especially for a poor college student like me.

In regards to the performance of the product, it's done its job to provide good sound quality for the course, and is easy to manage.

This item requires a code to be registered on the web site in order to be used in a college class. Once the code is entered one time all other users are unable to use it again. I basically wasted my money on this item. I recomend that any item like this that is used not be purchased if you are using it for a college class. I am hoping to resolve this with the seller soon!

ONMUSIC APPRECIATION CD-ROM

The Set of CD's can only be used once!!!

Stated boldly on the back of the CD case:

THIS CD PACKAGE CONTAINS A UNIQUE SERIAL NUMBER.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SELL OR USE A PREVIOUSLY USED CD-ROM PACKAGE.

I bought OnMusic Appreciation used and was not aware that the product needed to be registered and since it had already been registered by a previous buyer it was useless for the class. I have contacted the seller twice and no response has been given upon a return/refund agreement.

I ordered this CD set for a online class in college. The purchase got here quickly but had a code that was already used. I didn't even know there was a code because it wasn't mentioned. Because the code had already been used, the CDs were useless. When I asked about returns, I was told it's better to resell it. But, nobody would buy it since it cannot be used. So I am out money and had to order another.

This CD Rom worked great for my daughter for her class, we had no problems registering it and it worked great, The shipping and the product came quickly and in great condition.