<p>I am a pretty avid musician and I was wondering whether I should bring my instruments to college. I have a Schecter Damien FR, a second hand Marshall half stack amp, an old violin, and my tabla set. I think the tabla set is pretty unique because it is a classical Indian instrument.</p>
<p>I know its a lot of luggage, but do people bring their instruments to college? I think it would be cool because I can meet other musicians and put on a show lol.</p>
<p>People bring their game consoles, such as xBox to college. So why not instruments? I wish I could bring my piano...but I doubt I can bring that. I'll probably bring along my violin, lol.</p>
<p>No reason not to, but just consider the worth/value to you, the potential for loss/theft/damage. If there's value involved, be it sentimental or monetary consider insurance. </p>
<p>Insurance can be added as a rider to your parent's existing homeowner's or renter's policies, may be covered already as household goods, or under a distinct separate policy, Just be warned that if you declare any income from use of the instrument, or can be classified as using it "professionally", most homeowner's policies will not honor a claim.</p>
<p>If this is the case, there are specific companies that deal in instrument insurance. (Clarion, Mertz-Huber and Heritage are the three "biggies" used by most pro and semi pro musicians.</p>
<p>An earlier thread from last year <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/525589-bringing-instrument-college.html?highlight=instrument%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/525589-bringing-instrument-college.html?highlight=instrument</a> Do follow the flute link within to a horror story.</p>
<p>Thanks for replying :)</p>
<p>Violadad I will look into the instrument insurance, because I don't want anyone to steal my belongings.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>You are going to be a rapper by the end of college.</p>
<p>The other thing to consider is how much space you will actually have in your dorm room. This can vary a lot. You may not want to bring everything at once. A half stack is pretty big. (My son is thinking about the same thing--ideally, he would like to bring a keyboard, keyboard amp, electric guitar and amp, bass guitar and amp, acoustic guitar, two clarinets, and maybe a dulcimer. I'm telling him, um....)</p>
<p>Space is an issue. I actually have 3 guitars lol, but I am only going to bring the cheapest one (which is also my favorite) to college. I did stack up my cases and accessories, and it doesn't really occupy that much space.</p>
<p>Your son has a lot of stuff lol so I don't know how much space that would take (probably a lot :P) but I know how he feels. I know that I can't live without my instruments. They are like my brothers lol.</p>
<p>Bring at least some of your instruments to college! I know a lot of my friends who loved playing music but failed to bring their instruments 1st semester were greatly missing it by the time they went home for winter break. My friend brought his viola down and constantly practices, other friend has his keyboard, and other friends have their guitars. So its not uncommon at all to bring your instrument up to college</p>
<p>lots of people have instruments in college.</p>
<p>that said, bring what you will play. You might be able to find a school ensemble where you can play that tabla set even.</p>
<p>Are you living in a single? If not, I would also talk to your roommate. I would be kind of annoyed if our room's space were taken up by all of the other person's instruments.</p>
<p>those instruments could probably be stored under the bed or even in the music building.</p>
<p>Talk with your roommate. I wouldn't mind having a roommate who plays an instrument unless he's practicing in the room and he's bad (:P)</p>
<p>Really, it should not be a big deal.</p>
<p>I would check with the music department and see if you can store some of them their. They would be safer and you could use a practice room. You should also check with your roommate if you think it will take up some of their space. They'll probably be cool with it but you don't want to start off on the wrong foot. Also you don't want to bug your neighbors or roommate by practicing a lot. I don't think it would be a big deal but it would just depend on how much and at what time you practice. A lot of times in dorms the wall are paper thin so you want to be considerate of those on your floor. But, you should find a way to bring them. I love playing piano and I didn't bring my key board last quarter because of the space issue. I really missed playing a lot. This quarter I am taking a music class and my prof told me where the practice rooms with pianos. Now I can go use a real baby grand piano from 8am-11pm any day of the week, so you might have some luck with the music department.</p>
<p>Thats really good advice freshman1990 :) thanks!</p>
<p>Oh and I was talking with my parents about housing, and I think they are going to get me a single bedroom apartment lol. I just have to make sure that the colleges will allow that, because I think some of them require first years to stay in the dorms...</p>
<p>meaning off campus?</p>
<p>I would think really hard about living off campus freshman year before you know people and have an established group of friends.</p>
<p>freshman1990's post #13 offers some suggestions, but much of what is suggested is institution specific. </p>
<p>It may be possible to rent a storage locker in the music building (they normally do not provide them to non majors) and availability may be limited. The same goes for practice rooms. Many are reserved (even assigned) to music students; there may be a shortage, particularly at schools with noted music programs, or attached community programs. Some schools may have a dedicated practice room within the dorms, but this is not that common.</p>
<p>Many schools prohibit or discourage practice within the dorm living areas. And realize there is a difference between practice and playing. Enforcement may be strict or non-existent, and will be a function of the instrument, the genre, your RA, and your ability (or lack thereof ;)). While few may object to quality playing on a recreational or social basis, you'll find that endless repetition of a chord progression, rift or specific passage will quickly draw the wrath of those around you.</p>
<p>It may well serve to check specifics on the music school/departmental webpages, and/or within the undergrad handbook under housing before you actually schlep your instruments to school. If you can't find the info, the best source is the music department, and you may need to go up the food chain a level or two beyond the work study student fielding the phone calls. Look through the listings of student clubs and organizations. There may be student run activities who have solutions already in place or could direct you quickly to the right source of info.</p>
<p>If you live off campus, you may also have issues with annoyance noise complaints. Check your lease, and noise policies. </p>
<p>Worst case scenario, many houses of worship may be willing to offer practice/playing space in return for an occasional music quid pro quo basis.</p>
<p>I'm not trying to discourage anyone from bringing an instrument or three; just be aware of some of the standard caveats. Enjoy.</p>
<p>violadad- that's a good point, I didn't really think about that, but you're right. It's easier for me because I play piano, I don't need a storage place or anything, I just need a piano to use. Technically I'm not supposed to use the piano's but they don't ask what your major is and my music teacher told me I can use them. However, you probably would not be able to get a locker unless you are a music major. I don't know a lot about guitar, but the kid I baby sat had head phones to plug into his amp. Maybe that would help with noise. You see people with acoustic guitars more in the dorms. If you have a car you could try to find a practice place to keep them, but that would cost money. Maybe you could just pick one or two easy to bring instruments like a guitar at first. You will be surprised at how BUSY you will be. You could look for a storage place or something, once you are there and maybe bring some back when you go home for the first time.</p>