Places to practice (Montreal)

[Raagshinnah]

Does anyone who live in the Montreal area know places where I could have access to pianos for practice? (for free, or at a very low fee...I'm still a student so I don't have much cash available)

I'm in the Montreal area for 2-3 months and only have a 5-octave practice keyboard, which is a bit too limited for my taste.

I'll try a few colleges and universities, but I'm pretty sure that most of them would require me to be an active student to get access to the practice rooms. So I'd appreciate it if you could give me suggestions for places to try.

Thanks in advance

[bernhard]

I have no idea about Montreal, but these should be available anywhere:


1. Churches.
2. Community centres.
3. Primary and secondary schools (after school hours)
4. Neighbours/friends/relatives with an idle piano at home.
5. Old people's homes
6. Hospitals (for instance - I know of a place where I live that caters for children with terminal diseases - they have no hope of cure, and the role of the "hospital" is to make their last months/weeks as easy as possible. The children have music therapy and a piano is available for anyone who would like to volunteer to play it for the children).
7. Piano/music shops.
8. Hotel lounges.
9. Restaurants and pubs (bars).

In some of these places you will be able to do standard practice. In others you will be able to practice performing. In all of them, offer to perform for them for free in exchange for the use of the piano. I am sure you will be able to reach some sort of agreement with at least a few of these places.

Good luck.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[BoliverAllmon]

churches are a great place to start looking.

[donjuan]

churches are a great place to start looking.

I agree. 

Hotel lounges, restaurants, pubs and other such public places are not a very good idea in my opinion for practicing.  Who is going to let you experiment and bang in such a place.  If you do so, people listening will be annoyed and will leave the place.  And then the owners blame YOU for driving out the customers.  But as Bernhard added, this is probably one of those places where you practice performing.  Just dont practice practicing!

I have yet to come across a piano store that will let you practice on their pianos, especially for free.  These are hard assed salespeople who dont want you putting their pianos out of tune without the intention of buying one.  maybe if you know someone who works at one, they might be a little more accomidating.

I feel really sad for you.  All over the world, there are spoiled little children who hate/refuse to practice, yet they have grand pianos sitting in their living rooms available to them at all times, bought by hopeful parents.  I feel sickened by the situation..
donjuan

[bwv]

Welcome to Montreal!  The city is slowly waking up after a long winter and it feels good.  If I were you I'd show up at the music faculty of Montreal University (200 Vincent d'Indy street) looking like a student, go straight up to the 8th floor (if I remember) and just find a practice room.  Tons of them up there.  All as big as my closet but still, you get a closed door and an upright.  Usually in the evening things are quieter than during the day. The 6th floor grands are much busier.  If I remember they close at 10pm or thereabouts.

Here's a web site with address and more info:  https://www.umontreal.ca/plancampus/pavillons/pav04.htm

I also think that EPILOGUE Musique in Montreal, 514-842-6573, offers a rehearsal studio equipped with 5'9" Aeolian  Grand.  Opened 7 days a week. Price is $10/hr.  I would call ahead though. Contact  Alexandre Dulude.  I say their ad on www.lespac.com, ad number 3051943.  I'm just reporting this information, I have no experience or opinions on this company.

You may also call the West Island Music Conservatory and inquire about any available  practice time there, they're at (514) 428-5080, also STUDIOS DE PRATIQUE Musitec at (514) 831-8499 and/or Jam Avenue Studios at (514) 337-2526.  I have no information on rates or availability for these three contacts.

If you were closer I'd say come on over and let's talk music, let's compare notes, and then I'd leave you alone with my Leach upright.

Some concerts that may be of interest while you're here:

https://www.pavillondesarts.com/pages/563296/index.htm
https://www.centrepierrepeladeau.com/

Also look in the calendar section of www.scena.org to see what's happening concert-wise  in and around town.  Grab a paper copy of La Scena Musicale magazine (free) and you may find something in there too about practice studios.

If you find nothing please write back and I'll do further research.

Enjoy your stay!

[Raagshinnah]

Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll try the Montreal University practice rooms tonight

[Raagshinnah]

After a few minutes of wandering around searching for the music faculty, I finally noticed the large building standing in front of me

I managed to sneak in (which wasn't too hard considering that there were only 2-3 other people on that floor) and practice on a relatively decent piano compared to the others I've seen in Quebec's colleges/universities.

Thanks