Learning to play an instrument and music in Germany

Old Traditions meet new ways of teaching

Ever fancied learning an instrument? Maybe you have always wanted to learn the piano or the guitar, and life hasn’t yet given you the chance to do so? Maybe you want to play the violin because you are fascinated by great artists and their performance, or your friend is learning to play the saxophone and you want to give it a try as well? Maybe you want to give your kids the chance to master an instrument? Keep in mind that, for the young, equally as for the mature “masters to be” learning music is always a long-term project.

Are you interested in the rich history of Classical music in Germany? Check out our article here!

Each country has its own traditions of music teaching. While the old concepts of teaching are rapidly changing all over the planet, and the world wide web has revolutionized the experience of learning within the last decade, music lessons are often still held the “traditional” way in Germany. But meanwhile, Corona virus has brought a revolution to classical face-to-face teaching in music education. Skype online classes for guitar, webinars on how to find your voice or online trainings on how to play piano via Zoom have brought scholars and teachers together across continents. All these are the “modern” ways of teaching. Advantages may be seen in the fact, that pupils tend to be more independent when taught online. It is also great to be able to get in touch with professionals across the planet easily.

Yet, very often, in Germany music is being taught live, face to face, usually in a one scholar per teacher situation. There are public institutions such as the State Music School Fanny Hensel in Berlin which offer a wide range of instruments to be studied. Group sessions you might want to subscribe to include singing in a choir, playing in an orchestra, dance or drama. 

There are plenty of offers for early learners. Sending kids to learn a music instrument from an early age is still considered part of a “sound” education, that continues on the basis of private funding by parents parallel to the schooling provided by the state. Learning music from an early age offers a great chance for holistic education. It does not necessarily mean, that everybody aspiring to learn is bound to become a professional performer, but music helps a great deal in developing a healthy and mature personality, right and left hand dexterity and emotional integrity. Last but not least a music scholar learns to deal with criticism in a neutral way – a quality much needed in open discussions and professional life.

Whichever style of music your heart is melting for, playing it out yourself is one of the greatest experiences in life. Another option of learning music in Germany (apart from public music schools and universities) is private teaching. A lot of music professionals offer private lessons on a regular basis. Some may be ready to come to your home, while others offer music lessons in their own establishments, following the ancient rule whereas the master should always be sought after by the pupil. Some forms of private teaching can be institutionalized, such as in the music school with the name of “Berliner Stadtmusikanten”.

Whichever way of learning music you may be choosing – don’t allow the modern attitude of “ I can buy it if I want” to ruin your stamina. Plan for a long term process, try to see the path itself as progress and keep the music flowing!

Get in touch for more or individualized information in the comments section!

Written by: Martina Mathur (http://www.martinamathur.com)

Photo Credit: Firmbee - Pixabay

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