<p>I will be doing a semi-paid internship in Germany this summer (of course not an internship in piano performance, but for my other non-music degree). My guess is I won't be practicing 8 hours a day or so, but I will certainly want to keep up some practicing. So questions (for everyone in the know, but especially for binx ;) ):</p>
<p>Where can I possibly have access to decent pianos? I'll be in Germany for about 3 months or so, so does it worth it to rent a piano? (or do they even offer piano renting services?) </p>
<p>Should I get a teacher in Germany, maybe for bi-weekly lesson? If so, how does having private lessons work in Germany (where to find a teacher, how much do lessons generally cost, etc)?</p>
<p>Concert hints: how much tickets usually cost? Are there student discount / specials? Where to find out who is playing where (I guess at some point I will need to brave through some German websites...)? </p>
<p>And other tips/hints about Germany, Germans, or living in Germany would be appreciated, too, but that's off-topic :D</p>
<p>The Gymnasiums in Germany were really nice to us. (German high schools.) They are kinda like US magnet schools. My D went to a math/science gymnasium. But there was also a music gymnasium in town, and those are fairly common, especially in larger towns.</p>
<p>When we were there, S2 needed to do his school online. I asked at D's gymnasium if they would be willing to let him use the school computers, and they were like, "Of course! You pay taxes don't you? This is for everyone." Only rule was that we come in after school was out (at 1:00). </p>
<p>My guess is that if you go to the Direktor of the local music gymnasium and introduce yourself - make sure they understand that you are studying music at university - not just a hobbyist - and ask if there might be a piano available for practice, they might be willing to let you use one. Also look for a local musik Hochschule (college). The schools are much more open than they are here - and someone might be more than willing to let you practice. Interestingly, the one place where people were less accomodating was in the churches. Pianos were locked up tight and even school groups weren't allowed to use them.</p>
<p>Be aware that schools might or might not be in session part of the time you are there. Schools in Germany stagger their summer breaks (6 weeks) so that the whole country isn't on vacation at the same time, because the roads get too crowded.</p>
<p>If you tell me where you are going, I can try to get more details. I got fairly experienced at reading school websites and such.</p>
<p>Concert tickets in the bigger places are harder to come by - they sell out. And they are really expensive. But towns have civic centers with smaller orchestras and visitors, and those are cheaper and easier to get. Even school orchestras sell out!</p>
<p>If you want to send me your email address via PM, I'll email you a bunch of links that we found helpful.</p>
<p>My daughter is considering attending the InterHarmony Music Festival in Germany this summer with her teacher. There are two different sessions in different locations. Check out their website--you might find some good contact information there.</p>
<p>I did not live in Germany, but did live in Belgium for 4 years. I don't know if it's the same, but in Belgium there were a number of ways for students to get inexpensive tickets. One is just to buy them at a student discount (usually large). They also had a system for giving away empty seats when people did not show up for all the seats (they were called "laissez-passer" seats in Belgium): they cost about $5 each and you are almost sure to get in (they sell only a small number of them just before the show). You just show up, buy the ticket, and they would let you in just before the curtain went up - you'd get whatever seat was available. It is probably possible to get moved to another seat if someone comes in late....but a nice way to see, e.g., the Belgian National Opera for $5!</p>
<p>A couple answers to other questions. Yes, you can rent pianos. They have a lot of rules about where and when you are allowed to play them, though. In an apartment you will probably have to make sure you understand the rules / laws / leases. We lived in a doppelhaus (duplex). We were legally allowed to make noise up to 10:00, but if S was practicing still at 9:30, the neighbor would start banging on the walls.</p>
<p>A better idea might be to look into renting an electric piano, if you can stand it. And wear headphones when you practice. </p>
<p>As far as finding a teacher, ask at the music high school, or the music college. It's really pretty much the same as here - prices vary. One thing to know; legally, a musician must decide whether they are going to perform or be a teacher, and go to the appropriate school. Teachers are allowed to perform somewhat, and performers take an occasional student, but there are certain laws that govern who can do what.</p>
<p>We paid the piano teacher 20 Euros per 30 minute lesson or accompanying; the violin teacher got 120 Euros per month (hour lesson, 3 or 4 times per month); the horn teacher got 75 Euros per lesson, hour, every other week. (Horn player was the principal of the Bavarian Opera in Munich. Worth every penny.)</p>
<p>S also had horn lessons from two other men in Germany. The greatest horn player alive today (albeit past his prime) charged S 100 Euros to come and stay with him for 3 days of non-stop playing! Heaven on earth. The horn teacher at the Hamburg Musik Hochschule gave S a free lesson and invited him to apply to school there. So as you see, it varies. But Germans love music, and love musicians. I think they will help you!</p>
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One thing to know; legally, a musician must decide whether they are going to perform or be a teacher, and go to the appropriate school. Teachers are allowed to perform somewhat, and performers take an occasional student, but there are certain laws that govern who can do what.
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<p>That I certainly haven't heard of; good to know! </p>
<p>I can't stand electric pianos, but thanks for the pointer to local high schools. Also, check your IM, binx, I'd appreciate some helpful links ;)</p>
<p>Where will you be? Do be careful about notions of renting a piano and being able to practice. Neighbors and noise rules, even in the early afternoon, when folks could be napping, can be a nightmare. Local opera houses have practice rooms, but most are dark mid-July through the end of August. Whether you could arrange access during that time is questionable if not doubtful. Good luck.</p>
<p>what's your playing level right now? one suggestion is taking lessons with someone at the hochschule fur musik. usually you can find advance students that teach (it would be cheaper) and generally speaking, the level in germany is higher than here in the states.
some piano stores rent practice rooms but it's usually VERY expensive. i am only familiar with the situation in berlin but i know something like the Steinwayhaus is definitely NOT worth it unless you're preparing for an audition. renting is a better idea but it might be tricky if you're only there for 3 months...keyboard? (if it were in the states you might be able to get away with sneaking into university practice rooms but they're strict about school ID's there...haha)
as far as concerts. you should DEFINITELY take advantage of going to concerts as much as possible in germany. if you are planning to make any trips at all around the country, look up events at the halls ahead of time online. big events will be difficult to get rush tickets (germans really do go to classical concerts) but there are tons of smaller concerts going on in smaller halls. another cheap but great way to hear quality music is going to summer festival concerts...usually summer festivals have world class faculty or guest artists that play concerts for the students and public. these are cheaper options. like i said before, the level in europe is very high so i doubt you'll be disappointed.
if you can get away in august i HIGHLY recommend trying to see something at the Salzburg Festival. the city is really something to experience during the festival. there are TONS of activities going on all over the place. last year on opening night, they had a huge screen set up outside showing eugene onegin (two hours behind the actual performance) with barenboim conducting berlin phil. there must've been at least a thousand people there watching...and it was free!
i have a lot of friends studying at various conservatories and schools all over germany and they love it! you'll have tons of fun! :D</p>
<p>I'm a conservatory piano performance major (as well), so I might as well teach myself if I'm to find an advance student as a teacher :p Anyway, I think I give up the idea of finding teacher there; I don't want to lock myself up in a practice room for a few hours every day instead of going out and experience Germany. The person who is looking for an accommodation for me seems to also found a place with an piano where I can practice; so hopefully that piano is decent and I can keep up with some practice so that I won't be so out of practice by the time I get back for fall semester. </p>
<p>As for the concerts, I guess I really need to fix my Baltimorean/American habit of expecting empty seats and cheap rush tickets ;)</p>