<p>Hi, right now I'm a senior in high school and I've been playing the piano for quite a long time. I will not be a music major so I'm wondering if they will allow me to use the pianos? Does anyone know?</p>
<p>I’ve seen dorms in some schools with pianos
REC centers also have music rooms and such</p>
<p>answer: yes</p>
<p>ya… a lotta dorms have music rooms [w/ pianos] that just anyone can use to practice a bit and then there’s also special music rooms that you can reserve if you want</p>
<p>I play piano recreationally sometimes and I just pop into a dorm and check if the music room’s occupied</p>
<p>Yes, as I doubt pianos are going to be limited to music majors at your college, but you might want to (and should) stay away from them once juries come around. Piano availability might depend on your school as well. At my school, the pianos in the dorms are pretty much a free-for-all, but in the practice rooms in the main music building you need to buy a permit to use them (which is either $25 or $50 a semester; I don’t remember which). People do it without, but I wouldn’t advise it if you intend on being there a lot. Could be different where you go, though. Doubt it, though.</p>
<p>At BC, there’s a kid who plays the piano in one of the dining halls (Eagle’s Nest). It’s pretty sweet.</p>
<p>It’s going to be a pretty school specific situation and I suggest you reference the music department webpages of the schools you are considering. Policies are either there or in the undergrad handbook, normally a link of the academic policy webpage.</p>
<p>Your personal choice may be dictated by the quality of the pianos to which you are accustomed. Many of the common area instruments may be of far lower standard. </p>
<p>In general, the pianos in the dorms, common areas, student union buildings are fair game and open to anyone. Be aware that you will find a range of both good and bad, a few excellent, most passable, and a number that will make you cringe.</p>
<p>The pianos utilized for music majors will be a different class entirely, and policies of use will vary by institution. Depending on the size and renown of the music program, restrictions for the department will vary with each school. At many programs the practice rooms will be filled to capacity, assigned, key access only, or open only to majors/minors/those taking classes; some larger music buildings are open 24/7 to all.</p>
<p>A couple of outside the box options: consider lessons with faculty or grad students, which by nature should allow access to a quality piano. Again, costs, availability, and policy varies.</p>
<p>If you are at a proficiency level to warrant it, consider checking with a local church, that might grant use access for an occasional service performance. Consider placing a Craigslist ad, there may well be a local resident willing to barter or rent a home unit for a small fee (or may provide gratis use) just to have music in the house.</p>