<p>Hey guys, I'm going to be attending UVA this fall! One question I have is about instruments in the dorms. I like to play the guitar, and I was wondering what the policy (if there is any) about bringing an electric guitar amp to the dorms. The amp isn't very big, so it's manageable. I know that there would probably be a lot of noise complaints, so I think wearing headphones is probably best. So do you think I should bring an amp or not? Also, I saw that the McIntire School of music has practice rooms. What equipment is available to the undergrads who are not in a music related major? Because if there are amps available to students I probably won't bring my amp at all. Thanks for the answers!</p>
<p>It sounds like you have a good plan - you probably won’t get noise complaints during the day even without headphones honestly. I think another plan is that you could bring the amp for the first few weeks, and then your parents could take it home on fall visiting weekend if you are not needing it. You also might be worried about it getting damaged so then maybe not bring it. Even if the music department has loaners, they’re probably not readily available on the weekends so you might want it for then…</p>
<p>I’m having the same dilemma, except I don’t think bringing a piano into my dorm would be as acceptable lol</p>
<p>One of my good friends struck up a partnership with a local church and they let her play their piano. I’m assuming piano practice rooms must have had inconvenient or inaccessible schedules.</p>
<p>My son struggled with this quite a bit. First year he went without any if his guitars. This is a guy that plays at the very least 30min a day just to wind down, even if it’s 2am, but preferably more. Less then a month later we brought one of his acoustic guitars and was very respectful of noise/time of day. He kept it behind his bed. Second year he live(s/d) in on grounds student apartments so there’s more room. At first he only took the same acoustic. A week later he called and requested his amp and one of his lower-end electric guitars. Sometimes he plays with headphones (he modded the acoustic with an electric pickup so that works too) depending on time of day and who’s around. </p>
<p>Don’t take anything you aren’t willing to replace. The rooms are smaller then you think with two ppl and life’s belongings. Unless you can lift your bed with risers and slide your amp underneath its going to be awkward for you (and your roommate) to step around in a first year dorm. In first year housing some beds can be put on risers/lifts (about 4", not lofting) and some can’t (the captains beds). You won’t know which you have until you are assigned your dorm in early July (which is random). So, the guitar is fine (respect your neighbors). The amp is a space issue that you won’t know about for a while. IF the amp is an issue consider an acoustic. My son learned on electric first and only picked up acoustic when someone left a rather nice one at our house. The skills are different but compliment each other. I hope this helps.</p>
<p>I think the piano practice room hours are reasonable: [Practice</a> Modules ? McIntire Department of Music, U.Va.](<a href=“http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/performance/facilities/practicemodules.html]Practice”>http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/performance/facilities/practicemodules.html). I’ve also heard of pianos in Runk Dining Hall and perhaps the French house, but I have confirmed neither personally.</p>
<p>Almost ditto to BlueIg. S1 brought acoustic year 1, and then when he was in an apartment, which was more secure, he brought his electric and amp. His first-year roommate also played, as did other students on the hall. Space truly is an issue for an amp pending on size of course.</p>