Possible timetabling options:

1. 1 hour main instrument, 1/2 hour secondary instrument (standard)
2. 3 x half-hour sessions, three different instruments (usually a harmony instrument + another instrument + singing)
3. 1½ hours on just one instrument (possible, but rarely recommended)

Enrolment in group courses and ensembles does not count towards the course load. There are no compulsory instruments for enrolment (though there are for examinations). There are no restrictions on the freedom of choice when enrolling.

Personal study plans for the course of study as a whole can vary greatly depending on individual goals, interests and prior knowledge. It is strongly recommended that, right at the start of your studies, you draw up a rough plan (which can, of course, be amended later) for your instrumental lessons throughout the remainder of your studies. When planning, each student should ensure that the subjects they choose prepare them for the requirements of the final examination:

• Instruments/harmony instrument,
• Vocal Studies,
  
• stylistic range,
  
• improvisation, sight-reading.

Advice

Discuss and plan your approach to instrumental practice during office hours with your tutors. Don’t just focus on further developing your existing specialisation, but also pay attention to diversity (in instruments and styles!) with a view to your career goals.

Examples

1. If you have mainly played (classical?) piano prior to your degree and feel confident with it, you can initially focus entirely on a new instrument you have never played before, such as (jazz/pop) saxophone.
2. Anyone who has so far only learnt a melody instrument or singing should, as soon as they start their degree, prioritise learning (or relearning) their harmony instrument.
3. There are various ways of incorporating vocal practice: for example, singing in ensembles at an early stage; taking private singing lessons right at the start of your degree; or taking private lessons only later in your Master’s programme as immediate preparation for examinations.

The requirement to attend lessons also entails an obligation to attend to the same extent: as the contact hours (KP) for lesson attendance and practice time are credited within the modules, attendance at instrumental lessons is compulsory. A certificate from the teacher on the cumulative course result sheet.

Compulsory attendance: attendance must not fall below 75% (= a maximum of 3 missed sessions per semester). (The cumulative course result sheet, fully countersigned by the tutors, must be submitted to the relevant module coordinators before the module examination results are forwarded; see below.)

Lessons should be taken in the relevant semester for which the entitlement applies. As a rule, for teacher training programmes, this amounts to 1.5 hours per semester for (almost) the entire duration of the degree programme. Postponing course entitlements (formerly known as the ‘account model’) is generally not possible. Exceptions (particularly enrolment exceeding 1.5 hours) must be justified in writing and documented with a study plan for the duration of the degree programme. Postponing teaching sessions is generally not advisable for academic success anyway. Learning processes cannot be condensed or postponed. Continuous attendance and continuous practice ensure the best academic outcomes.

Justified exceptions

Catching up on instrumental lessons that were not available at the start of the programme in the 1st semester usually takes place immediately afterwards in the 2nd semester. MM Gym 1: It is possible to extend the lesson entitlement from 2 semesters × 1.5 hours to 3 semesters × 1 hour.

In the winter semester , it is generally not possible to enrol for more than 1.5 hours. A higher enrolment is only possible in the summer semester. If the entitlement is exceeded, the excess hours will be cancelled. Exceptions are only made in particularly justified cases of hardship.

The most up-to-date enrolment status is always as shown on the notice board until the end of the preceding semester. After that, changes – including withdrawing from a course – are only possible in special cases (e.g. a semester abroad) and following timely consultation with the lecturer and Axel Weidenfeld.