Brian Torff - Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT

Professor: Brian Torff

Department: Music

College: Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HISTORYOFJAZZ
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Brian is a great guy - from day one he understands 95% of us are not music majors but that we can all take away something from his class towards our futures. You will have to do the readings, but if you have a desire to work hard there;s no reason you cant do well in his class. Very interesting! 2 tests, no quizzes, jazz concert, final essay,

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MU102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Torff exhibits zero respect for his students yet demands unconditional respect from them. He expects you to think critically about music, but never teaches you how to do this. Way too much work for 100 level course that is a requirement. Must do the reading, but he recites all of it during the next class. NEVER asks you what you think. Awful.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MU102
• 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:

Take home final and 2 papers instead of exams. Wikipedia is your best friend. Can't get lower than an A-.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MU102
• 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:

Great professor, really is passionate about what he is teaching and tells it like a story. Tests are not easy, but not hard either. A lot of reading, but it is gone over every class. Reading for homework every night.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MU122
• 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:

It is not that hard to get in A in the class. Assigns tons of readings, but not all are necessary for the exams. For the first exams be sure to read some of the short readings in the packet. One 8-10 page paper and two exams (no MC, though). Actually had fun in this class. Got to solo on everything from the bongos to a sewage pipe!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MU101
• 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 highly recommend the Intro to Jazz course. I took a week long course and it was certainly intense. However, I felt that Dr. Torff provided me with a strong understanding which was only furthered by his own personal experience (extremely accomplished musician). If you do the required reading and listening, you'll be rewarded.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MU102
• 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:

Such a cool, nice guy. He was so knowledge about the course (History and Dev. of Rock&Roll) and made the class so interesting and fun. There was a decent amount of work, and his tests were pretty hard, but he wants his students to do well and is very helpful. Don't bother taking if you are looking for an easy A.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MU110
• 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: N/A

Comment:

If you are looking for an easy A elective DON?T take this course. Wonderful guy but his expectations are immense. Takes music very very seriously and A?s are not easy to get.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MU112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

History of Black Music. If it's ever offered - take it! Such a fun and interesting course. The best class I ever took at FU. And I took it just for kicks.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MU101
• 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:

Best teacher at Fairfield University, granted its a music class. But he speaks clearly, knows everything that he is talking about, and one of the best jazz bassists ever (no joke). Great taste in music, and he turned me on to Jazz musicians. TAKE HIM, especially for intercession

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MU101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is an artist that really cares about his stuff. He also puts on a great in class performance and knows a lot of famous jazz musicians

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MU101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Intense and wants good work from students. Great experience and far from an easy course. Alot of reading and papers, but the prof is worth every hour of his teaching. If you want to be challenged and learn, this is the prof.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MU101
• 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:

This guy is awesome. Really knows his stuff, very enthusiastic and he gets the class involved and interested. Good amount of reading involved, but I had him for an intersession so maybe it was crammed because of the time.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HISTORYOFJAZZ
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

awsome guy, really loves jazz and it shows. He is a great jazz bass player as well and is well respected in the jazz world and he has the exp. to go along with his love for jazz. take him

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HISTORYOFROCK
• 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:

Lots of work but a great guy!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: WORLDMUSIC
• 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:

fantastic teacher, great bassist! a true musician, he is passionate about music...this passion spills over into his teaching.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: JAZZ
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Great guy. One of the best music teachers ive ever had...just likes to sit back and let us play while helping us out when we need it...sometimes plays with us and is a pretty damn good bass player...coolest guy ever

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: JAZZ
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: JAZZ
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Torff is awesome. How can you not love a guy who is awesome at the bass? You will learn LOTS about jazz and he makes it fun. Tests are tough, so don't expect an easy A, but if you study for them you'll get a good grade.

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

This guy thinks he is the best thing on earth. He believes he is always right and has many asinine(liberal) political views. The is an insane amount of work for this class. Do not take.