Bennett Friedman - Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, CA

Professor: Bennett Friedman

Department: Music

College: Santa Rosa Junior College, Santa Rosa, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MUSC9
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I would not suggest taking his Jazz Appreciation class. I love jazz, and unfortunately he made me like it less. He does not use PowerPoint, only the occasional Word document with some notes on it, and he lectures every class. He also spent about 25% of our class meetings showing us the Ken Burns Jazz documentary. He is knowledgable, but very dry.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MUS9
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Mr. Friedman is great musician and teacher. First of all this class is jazz appreciation class. If you hate or dislike jazz, do not even think to take this class because you will fail with big possibility. There are 3 listening quizes, need to hand out 2 concert reports. For mid-term just study in his web page, but final was really hard

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC42
• 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:

I took every class Bennett taught over the course of 6 semesters, many multiple times. Bennett knows so much about jazz, and is just one hell of a player. I learned sooo much from him; it completely transformed me. I do think he's a little set in his old timey ways. And don't expect much love - he will critique even his most advanced students hard

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MUS9
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Passionate teacher. Thumbs up!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUSC5A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The beginning jazz improv class is essential to building a good foundation of jazz theory and harmony. Bennett is an excellent teacher. You have to play solos in this class, so practice! If Bennett thinks you've done a good job, he'll say so. If not, he will be ominously silent. :)

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MUSC9
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This class was really easy. Bennett is a good teacher with a passion for jazz. Everyone who says that non-musicians need not take his class. But they are wrong. Its easy. I cracked the book twice the whole semester. He has online study tools that if you use, you will get an A. Thats right, to pass a class you must study, even if minimal. Sorry bro.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MUSC9
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Bennett is an amazingly talented musician with a passion for what he does. He is extremely knowledgable. He grades fair and didn't give too much homework. I really enjoyed this class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MUSC42A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Bennett is a great guy if you give him the chance. He's a bit tough at times, yes, but I've taken him for 2 years now and I've never learned more from a teacher. Maybe a non musical person might not understand but anybody with the desire to learn music will walk away with a wealth of knowledge

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MUSC1182
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

his lectures are awful! they are so boring and his monotoned voice doesnt help. you have to do two concert reports and get the first ok'd with him even though he might change him mind after, i wrote my report then he said i had to go to a different concert because he shouldn't have ok it. horrible class!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MUSC9
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Although the lectures were very boring, this was a very easy class. He provides study guides for the midterm and final (study them and you will get an A). The listening tests are easy if you just focus, memorize, the first few seconds of each song. I could have done without the required concerts.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MUSC9
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Bennett plays the sax really good but his lectures are painfully boring and dry. Didn't read the book and pulled an A. gives out 3 listening tests and 2 exams.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MUSC9
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Class is completely lecture. Should be called Jazz History, not Jazz Appreciation. If you care at least a little about jazz, you will do well. Otherwise don't bother. Lectures are sporadic and lengthy, but he definitely knows what he's talking about. films were interesting, and listening tests and exams were easy if time was spent studying. B+

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC9
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are a bit boring for whom jazz is not their interest. He knows a lot about what he is talking. His tests are extreme easy if you spend couple hours on doing practice tests online.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC9
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Unless you are a musician, DO NOT take Music 9 Jazz Appreciation. Although at the beginning of the course the professor claimed that the class was geared towards lay people, this is completely false. Maybe it's not intentional, but the class is geared completely towards musicians,especially ones with prior jazz experience. Non-jazzmusicians: avoid!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MUS5
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I really did not like him. He doesn't seem to like people, albeit he teaches you how to play jazz, you don't necessarily enjoy being in the same room with him. He never congratulates you or offers encouragement. Very uninspiring, would prefer somebody with a personality.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MUS9
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Do not take this class if you figured on getting easy art credits. His class is purely lecture. He obviously knows what he's talking about but is not eager to help students and was snappy any time I tried to recieve help or talk to him after class. do NOT TAKE THIS CLASS IF JAZZ IS NOT YOUR LIFE!! it was excruciating everyday to sit in his class!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MUS9
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Good guy, great musician, horrible speaker. I had a hard time retaining information even when I was paying full attention because it was so choppy and boring. But he really knows what he's talking about and loves it. Easy assignments and easy A if you study for tests!! Cool in class performances. Didn't read the text once, fyi.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MUS1182
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

he is one of the hardest instructors i have had. music is his world and he does not care if you like it or not. if you do not walk away with the appreciation that he has for this subject he will give you an F even if you tried your best

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MUS42A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Bennett's a good guy, and knows his stuff. He's a little stand-offish though, which makes it difficult to ask him questions. Expects a lot out of his students, but you'll get a lot out of his classes. I also took him for summer jazz workshop, and got a ton out of that class too.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MUS5
• 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:

This is somebody who truly has a passion for music, and is a HELL of a sax player. You can miss his class and it's totally OK as long as you practice. He's a great musician, and a so-so teacher. He is a great motivator, and really inspired me to continue music. You learn a lot