<p>Do most music departments have pianos that students can play and practice on, even if they're not majoring/minoring in music?</p>
<p>My college has several music practice rooms with okay pianos that everyone is welcome to use. The fancier practice rooms with the good pianos are reserved for music students though.</p>
<p>Not sure what the situation is at other colleges.</p>
<p>Why dont you get a high end keyboard and use headphones. While not perfect, im sure it could help.</p>
<p>Why don’t you ask the colleges you’re interested in attending? It varies from school to school. At my college, everyone has buy a semester permit to use the practice rooms, and to use one with a piano is extra because of the extra maintenance they require. Some dorms also have pianos. Mine does, but I can’t use it since it’s in the quarantine area (for swine flu).</p>
<p>I had a nice keyboard in my room last year. I had a double, and it fit just fine. It’s nothing compared to the grand pianos in the practice rooms, but it does help.</p>
<p>Some good colleges even have grand pianos in the residence halls!</p>
<p>Yeah every residence hall here has one. I live right above the one in my dorm, so I get to hear some awesome music being played fairly often</p>
<p>Most of the dorms here have a piano in or near the main study lounge on the first floor.</p>
<p>we have practice rooms in our music hall as well as grand pianos in our residence halls. used keyboard could be a good deal.</p>
<p>We have a piano in our building but I don’t know about the other dorms.</p>
<p>Yeah all the dorms on my campus have pianos too.</p>
<p>Vassar has one in every hall plus other locations</p>
<p>Oberlin has dozens of pianos all over</p>
<p>to answer your question: generally yes; ask the school</p>
<p>Kei</p>
<p>pyroza, as mentioned, it’s school specific and the quality will vary greatly. Some dorm/general use pianos can be useless, whereas some schools actually have a full time piano tuner on staff and all the pianos are of excellent quality and playability. If you’re used to playing at a high level, and are accustomed to a top of the line instrument, then definitely speak to the program chair (and up the chain of command within the music department/school) if you find the general use pianos wanting.</p>
<p>Most (but not all) will do their best to accommodate a serious student. You may need to demonstrate your skills and do a bit of schmoozing, but the majority of time they will try.</p>
<p>Other thoughts if that doesn’t work, consider taking a music minor which will in most circumstances guarantee you access. Lessons with faculty (although this may cost you) does the same thing.</p>
<p>If the school has a conservatory, or stand alone noted music school, access to the top of the line ivories may be off limits, and are typically reserved for majors. Access to practice rooms may or may not be restricted. Again, it’s school specific.</p>
<p>Worst case if all else fails, try a church, faith based organization near campus. You may end up getting lucky, as sometimes they are quite willing for little or no fee, or an occasional gratis service.</p>
<p>Purdue had a piano I believe in every dorm. Get to see and hear the asians playing great tunes.</p>
<p>UVA has entire rooms for pianos that students can sign up timeslots for. (Also opera-singing too.)</p>