Jon Friesen - Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

Professor: Jon Friesen

Department: Music

College: Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: MUS104
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Extremely boring. If you have prior musical education just check the syllabus for the pieces you listen to in class and find them on YouTube; you could literally skip lectures, show up for the tests, and pass. Concert reviews are bogus, just grab a program and make it up. Ushering not mandatory. Skip this guy, he's full of himself and it shows.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MUS104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Not engaging. Super boring. Doesn't keep me wanting to go to class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MUS104
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Lectures felt long and weren't the most engaging. Although it's hard to teach interactively in such a big class, he seemed to be somewhat out of touch with students. The material wasn't difficult, and you could probably do okay just studying the study guides (I also went to every class and read over my notes to study). FYI slides not posted online.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MUS104
• Grade Received: F
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

His lectures pretty much go over nothing that are on the tests. He also provide study guides which you think would help you on the tests, but half go the material on the tests aren't mentioned on the study guide. Seriously ridiculous class. I would study for 10 hours and get a C.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUS104
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Friesen isn't very personal with students but it's a big class. A lot of the lecture material isn't important for the tests. The 4 tests and 2 out of class concert reviews are the only grades. Online textbook gives most of what you need. I didn't need to contact him so I can't say what his help is like. Subject is interesting but can get dry.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MUS104
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Easy. Barely went to class. I just used the textbook and did fine in the class. He gives you a study guide and its all pretty straightforward. He brings his cello into class every day and plays as well.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: 104
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Classless professor. He is full of himself and it shows. He is extremely late in responding to emails and when he does he is curt and rude. The class is easy, and you don't need to be there just read the text book, OR go to class and don't buy the text book. He basically lectures from it. Boring class, you can't hear him very well.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MUS104
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I have to be honest; I hardly ever went to this class. I took it for a GUR that also fit into my schedule. Later I found out he is the hardest teacher for music 104 so if you can take it from someone else try to. His test cover a lot of material he doesn't put on the study guide so beware. He is an amazing musician though and plays a lot in class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: MUS104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Friesen is extremely full of himself and it shows when he lectures. His lectures are boring. He also doesn't post grades online, but on his door which I found to be very inconvenient. I used the online book once and did fine in class.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC104
• 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:

Lectures are broad and tests ask specifics, so you have to read the book to do well. Interesting lectures would recommend attending. Cool guy and good cello player. You can get his book in the music library. Grades conference review easily, just make sure you use what you learned in the reviews. Got me interested in classic music. Would recommend.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MUS104
• 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:

One of the nicest people I have ever met. Has a lot of compassion for music. The class is not an easy A. You need to learn the study guides if you want a good grade. He is very helpful and kind if you ask him questions. His lectures are fun and easy to listen to. Great cello player! Overall an awesome guy. I suggest this class to anyone.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MUS104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

John studied at Juliard and is a Dr. of music which in impressive. He goes hard on the cello and if you study his study guides you'll be fine.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MUS104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are fairly interesting, but I think he makes the class a bit too tough for a 100-level GUR. I was expecting it to be an easy A, but it really wasn't. It's not impossible, just know you really do have to study for the exams & you'll do fine.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MUSC104
• 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:

Great through teacher. Straight forward. The study guide he gives you are all on the test. So know the study guide=A. The test is multiple choice. He helps you if you have questions. Easy class. And he is an EXTREMEMLY talented musician. The best part of class was hearing him preform on his cello.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MUS104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

If you have ever had any previous music experience this class will be a breeze. I didn't go half of the time and ended up with an A. Just read the textbook and be able to recognize the songs from class (look up on youtube). Super boring class, but an EASY A

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MUSIC104
• 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:

easy gur. really interesting compared to others. 3 quizzes and 2 concert reviews. no final. good teacher with experience

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MUS104
• 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:

class was easy and if he would answer your questions if you needed help

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MUS104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I love that there is a picture of him above because its so him... I liked the class and it was a super easy/interesting GUR. The tests were easy and relevant, and he was very interesting to listen to. I think I could have skipped lectures, but I enjoyed the lessons more or less. He is a little into himself, but he is a brilliant musician.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MUS104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His lectures were of little use on the tests, which were much too difficult for an entry-level class. Seems very caught up with himself. Doesn't use any vocal amplification which makes it difficult to hear him most of the time. This class is quite boring, and the book was more useful than the lectures.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: MUS104
• 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:

Dr. Friesen really wasn't as bad as most people think. He is a little conceited, but I felt that his experience with music and the use of his cello were beneficial to his lessons. I stopped attending class halfway through the quarter and just listened to the music samples online. Not too difficult.