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RENT OR BUY?
HOW TO SHOP FOR AN INSTRUMENT!
HOW TO SHOP FOR AN INSTRUMENT!
First Instrument Purchases/Rentals
Shen Valley Band in Harrisonburg (540) 434-8546
Renting an instrument is always the best, first option. Shen Valley Band is a local music stores who rents instruments to Beginner Band members. Shen Valley visits our school each week, to pick up instruments or make simple repairs on site. Renting is the best choice at first, because it provides your child with a new, quality instrument (that plays perfectly), while buying three more months for us to be 100% sure your student is going to stick with it, before you choose to make a big commitment financially
DO NOT buy an instrument online, in a store, (or in a pawn shop or auction), without checking for these things first:
“Tried and True” brand names
Used instruments are great, especially if they are on the list of “tried and true” brand names for instruments below. In my professional opinion, these brands have proven themselves to be reliable and long lived in our Band room, in both service and quality. These are certainly not the only brands available, but they are commonly available in our area, and can be found online or through local music stores. Even if your used instrument needs repairs, it is likely to still be cheaper than buying a new instrument.
Band Directors and accomplished musicians (high school kids count!) are typically very happy to check out a used horn for you. Your student will be able to test out instruments too (and give you a “reasonable” evaluation of how it plays), sooner than you think. Local music stores will give you free estimates on repairs, and most folks selling instruments understand where you are, making that first instrument purchase--they have been there too. Usually an agreement can be reached, to allow you to have the instrument checked over for needed repairs before you agree on a price.
Shen Valley Band in Harrisonburg (540) 434-8546
Renting an instrument is always the best, first option. Shen Valley Band is a local music stores who rents instruments to Beginner Band members. Shen Valley visits our school each week, to pick up instruments or make simple repairs on site. Renting is the best choice at first, because it provides your child with a new, quality instrument (that plays perfectly), while buying three more months for us to be 100% sure your student is going to stick with it, before you choose to make a big commitment financially
DO NOT buy an instrument online, in a store, (or in a pawn shop or auction), without checking for these things first:
- Is it from a MUSIC store (GOOD), or from a department store, "big box" discount store, or mega online website? Music stores sell real instruments, while the other places sell toys that look real, but are not held to proper regulations or standards, in materials or measurements. If the holes are cut wrong, or the metal is too soft or too hard, the instrument will not play well and can not be repaired, so they are a waste of money
- Is it advertised that it "comes with white gloves"? This is NOT a good thing! Usually this is because the finish is so cheap it will wear off within a month or so, or will irritate the child's skin. Or, worst case, the instrument has a high lead content that should not be handled with bare skin (and playing it will involve putting it in their mouth!)
- Is it a weird, rainbow color? If it looks like it came out of a box of cereal.... it may as well have. Instruments that are "real", tend to be in the traditional instrument colors of gold (typically brass), silver (typically nickel or silver) or black (clarinets and oboes, can be plastic or wood).
- Is a deal that is just "to good to be true", FAR underselling what reputable music stores are selling? You get what you pay for...Again, some places sell toys that look like real instruments, but they are not held to proper regulations, or standards in materials or measurements. If the holes are cut wrong, or the metal is too soft or too hard, the instrument will not play well, and can not be repaired = waste of money!!!!
- Check that all parts of the instrument are in the case--mouthpieces can be replaced easily; a body part not so easily.
- If the case latches and hinges are in good shape, that is a good sign.
- Look for stuff in the case that might tell you the history of the horn (old programs, etc. ask when/where the instrument was used)
- if the case does not smell "musty", that is a good sign. If it looks/smells musty, check pads and case lining for mold.
- If there is a reed in the case, DO NOT USE IT! Wash any mouthpiece in the case with warm (not hot) soapy water, or use mouthpiece sanitizer. It is better to use your own mouthpiece/reed that you trust, to test out a used horn
- Play something you know well, to see if it plays at all.
- Start at the top of the instrument and slowly put down one key at a time, looking for leaky keys
- If you hit a key that squeaks, that is a place for repair--check for lose screws or springs off in that area. Ask if you can take it to a repair shop for evaluation
“Tried and True” brand names
Used instruments are great, especially if they are on the list of “tried and true” brand names for instruments below. In my professional opinion, these brands have proven themselves to be reliable and long lived in our Band room, in both service and quality. These are certainly not the only brands available, but they are commonly available in our area, and can be found online or through local music stores. Even if your used instrument needs repairs, it is likely to still be cheaper than buying a new instrument.
- Flute: Yamaha, Gemeinhardt, Selmer, Emerson, Armstrong, Jupiter, Bundy
- Clarinet: Yamaha, Selmer, Artley, Buffet, Vito, Bundy, Jupiter
- Alto Sax: Yamaha, Selmer, Vito, Jupiter, Bundy
- Trumpet/Cornet (b-flat): Bach, Yamaha, Blessing, King, Jupiter, Carol, Holton, Getzen
- Trombone: Yamaha, Conn, Bach, Blessing, King, Jupiter, Holton
- Baritone/Euphonium: Yamaha, King, Jupiter, Holton, Olds (many school instruments available)
- Percussion: Students need a bell kit that includes a set of bells, practice pad, sticks and mallets.
- Specialty Instruments: Tubas, French Horns, Oboes, Bass Clarinets, Tenor Saxophones, Baritone Saxophones are usually borrowed from the school. Students often switch from other instruments to these instruments, as they grow in size and as musicians, in middle school and high school.
Band Directors and accomplished musicians (high school kids count!) are typically very happy to check out a used horn for you. Your student will be able to test out instruments too (and give you a “reasonable” evaluation of how it plays), sooner than you think. Local music stores will give you free estimates on repairs, and most folks selling instruments understand where you are, making that first instrument purchase--they have been there too. Usually an agreement can be reached, to allow you to have the instrument checked over for needed repairs before you agree on a price.