At the beginning of the school year there is a flutter of activity around starting a new instrument. In our area it usually begins in fourth grade. A big event is held in each elementary school where your child can try various woodwind, brass and string instruments. There are also area vendors offering instrument rentals. Big business most parents think. I say yes and no. Here is why....
Yes, those vendors are in business to make money. But they also know what they are talking about. When you rent an instrument, you get one of quality without shelling out the big bucks. A GOOD saxophone new can be close to a thousand dollars. A GOOD violin can be close to eight hundred dollars JUST FOR THE VIOLIN. A GOOD flute can be close to five hundred dollars. I speak from experience as a parent for the woodwinds. I speak from experience as an educator and professional musician on the violin.
I wince when a parent says I'm just going to buy a $99.00 violin on ebay/amazon. I cringe when a parent comes to an assessment with a violin shaped object that needs to be 'put together'. These are not quality instruments. If your child does not have an instrument of quality to start on, they will always be frustrated. Violins (and other bowed string instruments) are a work of art. The quality of the wood, strings and bow are what your child needs to help their new skills blossom. They also come in sizes. Because children GROW. I have had more than one family buy an instrument (either great quality or poor) against my advisement. Three months later their violin is too small. By renting, you continue to get QUALITY for a planned low payment. I say rent until they are sure they love it, or they are done growing. If you have hundreds (perhaps thousands) to put towards instrument purchases then I say go ahead and buy. But many are not able to do this kind of spending.
Yes, there are lots of used woodwinds in pawn shops and on ebay. You might get a great deal. I found a perfect silver piccolo for my daughter on ebay that was only used one season. I had it evaluated once we received it by a professional and they agreed we got an excellent instrument for a very fair price. This is not the norm.
Most used woodwinds will need to have an overhaul done. New pads, new cords, a good cleaning. My own child flutes (and she has had both a student, an advancing student and a professional open hole flute) have had to go in for regular maintenance that was close to $200.00 each year. What do you think will happen if it gets thrown across the room (admit it, it can happen)
Please reconsider the idea of renting from one of our area vendors. You will have a small monthly fee (you can plan on a 3 or 4 month trial rental up to a 9 or 12 month rental, the shortest amount of time I would recommend to make sure they like the instrument) Don't throw your money away on a cheap instrument. Give your potential musician the best tools you can.
Yes, those vendors are in business to make money. But they also know what they are talking about. When you rent an instrument, you get one of quality without shelling out the big bucks. A GOOD saxophone new can be close to a thousand dollars. A GOOD violin can be close to eight hundred dollars JUST FOR THE VIOLIN. A GOOD flute can be close to five hundred dollars. I speak from experience as a parent for the woodwinds. I speak from experience as an educator and professional musician on the violin.
I wince when a parent says I'm just going to buy a $99.00 violin on ebay/amazon. I cringe when a parent comes to an assessment with a violin shaped object that needs to be 'put together'. These are not quality instruments. If your child does not have an instrument of quality to start on, they will always be frustrated. Violins (and other bowed string instruments) are a work of art. The quality of the wood, strings and bow are what your child needs to help their new skills blossom. They also come in sizes. Because children GROW. I have had more than one family buy an instrument (either great quality or poor) against my advisement. Three months later their violin is too small. By renting, you continue to get QUALITY for a planned low payment. I say rent until they are sure they love it, or they are done growing. If you have hundreds (perhaps thousands) to put towards instrument purchases then I say go ahead and buy. But many are not able to do this kind of spending.
Yes, there are lots of used woodwinds in pawn shops and on ebay. You might get a great deal. I found a perfect silver piccolo for my daughter on ebay that was only used one season. I had it evaluated once we received it by a professional and they agreed we got an excellent instrument for a very fair price. This is not the norm.
Most used woodwinds will need to have an overhaul done. New pads, new cords, a good cleaning. My own child flutes (and she has had both a student, an advancing student and a professional open hole flute) have had to go in for regular maintenance that was close to $200.00 each year. What do you think will happen if it gets thrown across the room (admit it, it can happen)
Please reconsider the idea of renting from one of our area vendors. You will have a small monthly fee (you can plan on a 3 or 4 month trial rental up to a 9 or 12 month rental, the shortest amount of time I would recommend to make sure they like the instrument) Don't throw your money away on a cheap instrument. Give your potential musician the best tools you can.
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