Rik Pfenninger - Plymouth State University

Professor: Rik Pfenninger

Department: Music

College: Plymouth State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: WINDS01
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took Woodwinds with Dr. P and I have to say he can ACTUALLY really play all of the instruments. Mellow laid back approach to teaching and good info! He makes me laugh!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: MIDI101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you know, you know. Dude is all about the money and his own life. Doesnt care about helping his students, this is just a job to him.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: MIDI101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Love Dr. P! Very cool class and LOVED the movies that he makes explaining concepts for the class and tech projects. Very cool guy!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: MU311
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Love, love, love this man! Really went out of his way to help me when I had problems with anything in his class. He really helped me to get my music out in the world! I can't thank him enough!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: MUDI1100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Taking Sound Design for Multimedia from this dude! GREAT stuff. It really helps that he is ACTUALLY working in the field! He even did music for one of the Beauty and the Beast video games! LOVE this class!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: MU181001
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I am a Music Tech Major and I have to say that I LOVE Dr. P. Great guy with REAL work experience. He really helped me to get my music out there and start making $$ while I am at PSU! LOVE IT!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: MIDI101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I am currently taking Dr. P's online Tech for Musicians class. All his lectures are on videos, which are GREAT! I had problems with one of the Finale assignments and emailed him and he got back to be at 3:30 AM the next morning with a fix and a video showing me how to solve my issue! GREAT STUFF!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: MU311
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took Multitrack recording from Dr. P. GREAT class with lots to do. So much info that you will never get through it all. He actually lets you download his online lectures for future use! How many teachers let you do that??? He will even make a video to help you with any issues that you may be having with Logic or ProTools!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: APM01
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took Dr. Ps American Pop Music class and loved it! Just make sure that you turn assignments in on time. He actually graded and gave feedback for each weeks assignment the next day at 3:30 in the morning! I am beginning to think that the dude does not sleep! Great class! I highly recommend it!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MUDI1100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

LOVED Dr. P's film scoring class! Real world examples and real world projects to score! Love the fact that he scores movies in the real world and can give us insight into how to get movie scoring gigs and video scoring gigs. Even if you are not a Tech major you should try to take this class!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: MU181001
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took Film Scoring from Dr. P and loved the class! All of the work is online but we meet as a class every week to go over projects and discuss what we can do better. GREAT class and I am so psyched about film scoring and working with video games. Dr. P is always available for extra help and willing to share his passion about being a composer

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: MUDI1100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed his online classes and feedback that he gives. He is a "real" world composer who is actually out there working in the field. I found him to be very available and willing to work one on one with you if you care and put the time into his classes. I learned a TON from this man!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: MIDI101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This man does not care about students. He blatantly lied in the mtech promo video he made, and filmed it in his home studio. He's never on campus and is neglectful at best as an advisor. He is holding this department back. I can only speak as a music tech student, not a sax major. I switched majors because of his incompetence and lack of care.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: MIDI101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

As far from a hands on teacher as you can possibly imagine. Online classes that seem like you're paying to read a manual. No weekly tech classes that he is forced to TEACH in PERSON. Never in Silver Center. Completely careless academic advisor, could care less if you're on track to graduate. Cares more about his self/own music than his students.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: MUDI1100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Took Dr. P's online Video Game class. GREAT!!!!! Fun to learn from a prof that is actually working in the Biz! He has written music for several Video Game Trailers and Sniper Art of War. Take this class if you get a chance!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: MU2810
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. P is the best! Had him for both classical and jazz saxophone lessons. He makes you work hard, but if you do, you will become a better player! GREAT guy who really cares and wants you to grow as a player!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: MUDI1100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Took an online music gen ed, Creating Sound Effects and Music for Video Games. The professor was clear with expectations and the class itself was interesting. I don't know how he is in normal classes, but his online general education classes are nice and easy, just make sure you don't turn in anything late as he doesn't accept late credit!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: MU181001
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher and player, but be prepared to work in the saxophone studio. He gets results. The Senior saxophone recitals at PSU will rock your world!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: MUSDI1350
• 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:

This guy knows his stuff. I took him as an online, full semester course and I learned quite a bit and it was EASY!!! One of the easiest courses I have ever taken! I should have got an A+

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SAX01
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you come to PSU to be a better sax player, then Dr. P is da man!!! If come to PSU to party and not work, he will cut you loose from the sax studio faster than you can say Charlie Parker. GREAT SAX TEACHER. Listen, work, and GET BETTER!!!!!