<p>I know columbia offers a music major....are there classes/lessons available to learn an instrument for someone who has little or no experience in playing the instrument ?</p>
<p>I’m really interested in trying something like that as well.</p>
<p>I’m actually wondering this as well.</p>
<p>I know there are piano lessons for beginners, but I believe (I’m not certain about this) that all other lessons are by audition only, so you’d have to be fairly proficient already (not Julliard level, but fairly proficient) in order to get private lessons as a music major. But regardless of your skill level, there will probably be some place/avenue for you to play (there’s like a ba-zillion instrumentalists on campus and a ba-zillion performing groups). The Marching Band, for instance, lets anyone join, I believe. I’d say check the music dept. website for more info, but honestly, I’ve been to that site and it sucks. So try it (just search “Columbia University music” but there’s a good chance it will fail to answer your question.</p>
<p>By the way, if anyone’s wondering, I’ve heard wonderful things about music department classes. In particular, several people I know have said that the Diatonic Harmony class (the second level up of the theory sequence) changed their lives vis a vis music. Also, being in NYC, there are a ba-zillion opportunities for people interested in music. I don’t know how competitive the internships are, but I know of one person at least who interned for a very famous producer, and then went to China for a summer internship in the music business there.</p>
<p>ok thanks. Im not interested in being a music major though, i judt wanted to know if there were any lessons for beginner musicians</p>
<p>oh. nevermind then. Definitely piano, not sure about the others, but I don’t think so.</p>
<p>Something my flute teacher mentioned was that at schools where you have to audition to take lessons, people who aren’t majoring in music but want lessons take them from grad students. Of course, you’ll have to do a bit of research first.</p>
<p>For the sake of answering my own question</p>
<p>[Can</a> I learn how to play an instrument through Columbia? | The Music Performance Program at Columbia University](<a href=“http://music.columbia.edu/mpp/information-students/faq-question/can-i-learn-how-play-instrument-through-columbia]Can”>http://music.columbia.edu/mpp/information-students/faq-question/can-i-learn-how-play-instrument-through-columbia)</p>
<p>From above</p>
<p>Can I learn how to play an instrument through Columbia?</p>
<p>We do not offer beginner lessons in any instrument except piano. If you wish to learn to play an instrument, we can put you in contact with a teacher in the neighborhood, though you will not receive credit for these lessons. Come by 618 Dodge during office hours and ask to see the “referral teacher list”.</p>