Tips for Buying a Band Instrument
In 6th grade, students who play flute, clarinet, alto sax, trumpet, trombone or percussion will need to supply their own instrument. Students who play oboe, bassoon, French horn, baritone or tuba may continue renting a school-owned instrument through 12th grade.
If your child wants to play an instrument in middle school, they should sign up for band. There are programs that can help families who may not be able to provide their own instrument.
If your child wants to play an instrument in middle school, they should sign up for band. There are programs that can help families who may not be able to provide their own instrument.
Instrument Purchasing Guide
Quality Instruments = SUCCESS
Instruments come in all shapes, sizes, and varying degrees of quality. Just like different brands of cars, tvs, smartphones, etc. there are a number of different brands of instruments and varying levels of quality.
Beware of “ISOs” (Instrument Shaped Objects). These are harder to play in tune, have a poor sound, and may frustrate the student to the point of eventually quitting. Many repair people refuse to work on these instruments because they cannot guarantee the results. A good quality student instrument made by a respected manufacturer that is well cared for can last through high school and beyond.
Sometimes instruments are listed as “Best Seller” or “On Sale.” These instruments are the “Best Seller” for a reason. They’re cheap and cheaply made. Avoid gimmicks such as the pink violin or the blue clarinet. Anything that is sold with white marching gloves is another tip off. Instrument purchases should be made based on the instrument’s sound and durability, not its appearance.
Lastly, local repair shops have been seeing an increasing number of ‘fakes’. Yamaha is known to be a good quality brand, but there are less scrupulous instrument manufacturers who have been making instruments and branding them as Yamaha. The only way to verify the authenticity is to have a repair person evaluate the instrument.
Where to start?
Budget - Start by determining your budget. There are several options available: buy new, rent new, rent used or buy used. Each store has their own rental and purchase options. Talk to them to see what works best for your family.
Try before you buy - have your child try the instrument before you buy it. If you buy used from a private party, have a music store inspect the instrument before you purchase it. Used instruments may be a good deal, especially if the instrument is an older one, made in the USA and has been taken care of. However used instruments may need pads replaced, keys adjusted or bridges replaced before they are playable. For example, that $100 sax purchased from ebay could potentially need a full repad which is over $500. The only way to know is to have a qualified repair technician evaluate it for you.
Levels of Quality - Band instruments are marketed in three grades of quality: (1) beginner/student, (2) intermediate, and (3) professional. Most so-called “intermediate” instruments are really “beginner” instruments with no more than a few modest cosmetic improvements such as a better case or silver-plating. None of these improvements really add much to the actual playing quality of the instrument, but do add to the cost. Examples of truly “intermediate” quality improvements (and worthy of paying more money for) would be such things as a solid silver head joint for a flute or clarinets with a body made of real grenadilla wood rather than plastic (which also is often referred to as “resin” or “composition” material).
Professional models are just as the name suggests. Students who are looking to continue playing after high school use these instruments. These instruments are made from higher quality materials and have better construction and durability. If you have a student that is just starting out, you may want to consider a student or intermediate model instrument.
String Parents -If you are looking to rent or purchase a stringed instrument, realize that they come in different sizes and that your child may need a smaller instrument. Ask the store if you can return the smaller one for a larger one when your child is ready for a larger size.
Local Music Stores
Music stores often let students try out different instruments. Many stores also offer financing plans on their instruments. Feel free to contact any music store for more information. (And remember, if a store sells toilet paper and hot dogs, it’s probably not a music store….)
Lakeside Music 920-452-8641, 809 S8th Street, Sheboygan
Dreams Unlimited 920-400-1177, 215 E. Mill Street in Plymouth
Heid Music 1-800-236-4343, 208 E. College Ave, Appleton
White House of Music (262) 334-4426, 869A S Main St, West Bend
Order online (by 8/1 for Bootcamp delivery) <whitehouseofmusic.com/studentstore>
The best course of action is to be informed before you decide to purchase or rent. Please ask if you are unsure or have questions.
Recommended Instruments:
Quality Instruments = SUCCESS
Instruments come in all shapes, sizes, and varying degrees of quality. Just like different brands of cars, tvs, smartphones, etc. there are a number of different brands of instruments and varying levels of quality.
Beware of “ISOs” (Instrument Shaped Objects). These are harder to play in tune, have a poor sound, and may frustrate the student to the point of eventually quitting. Many repair people refuse to work on these instruments because they cannot guarantee the results. A good quality student instrument made by a respected manufacturer that is well cared for can last through high school and beyond.
Sometimes instruments are listed as “Best Seller” or “On Sale.” These instruments are the “Best Seller” for a reason. They’re cheap and cheaply made. Avoid gimmicks such as the pink violin or the blue clarinet. Anything that is sold with white marching gloves is another tip off. Instrument purchases should be made based on the instrument’s sound and durability, not its appearance.
Lastly, local repair shops have been seeing an increasing number of ‘fakes’. Yamaha is known to be a good quality brand, but there are less scrupulous instrument manufacturers who have been making instruments and branding them as Yamaha. The only way to verify the authenticity is to have a repair person evaluate the instrument.
Where to start?
Budget - Start by determining your budget. There are several options available: buy new, rent new, rent used or buy used. Each store has their own rental and purchase options. Talk to them to see what works best for your family.
Try before you buy - have your child try the instrument before you buy it. If you buy used from a private party, have a music store inspect the instrument before you purchase it. Used instruments may be a good deal, especially if the instrument is an older one, made in the USA and has been taken care of. However used instruments may need pads replaced, keys adjusted or bridges replaced before they are playable. For example, that $100 sax purchased from ebay could potentially need a full repad which is over $500. The only way to know is to have a qualified repair technician evaluate it for you.
Levels of Quality - Band instruments are marketed in three grades of quality: (1) beginner/student, (2) intermediate, and (3) professional. Most so-called “intermediate” instruments are really “beginner” instruments with no more than a few modest cosmetic improvements such as a better case or silver-plating. None of these improvements really add much to the actual playing quality of the instrument, but do add to the cost. Examples of truly “intermediate” quality improvements (and worthy of paying more money for) would be such things as a solid silver head joint for a flute or clarinets with a body made of real grenadilla wood rather than plastic (which also is often referred to as “resin” or “composition” material).
Professional models are just as the name suggests. Students who are looking to continue playing after high school use these instruments. These instruments are made from higher quality materials and have better construction and durability. If you have a student that is just starting out, you may want to consider a student or intermediate model instrument.
String Parents -If you are looking to rent or purchase a stringed instrument, realize that they come in different sizes and that your child may need a smaller instrument. Ask the store if you can return the smaller one for a larger one when your child is ready for a larger size.
Local Music Stores
Music stores often let students try out different instruments. Many stores also offer financing plans on their instruments. Feel free to contact any music store for more information. (And remember, if a store sells toilet paper and hot dogs, it’s probably not a music store….)
Lakeside Music 920-452-8641, 809 S8th Street, Sheboygan
Dreams Unlimited 920-400-1177, 215 E. Mill Street in Plymouth
Heid Music 1-800-236-4343, 208 E. College Ave, Appleton
White House of Music (262) 334-4426, 869A S Main St, West Bend
Order online (by 8/1 for Bootcamp delivery) <whitehouseofmusic.com/studentstore>
The best course of action is to be informed before you decide to purchase or rent. Please ask if you are unsure or have questions.
Recommended Instruments:
Flute
Trevor James Yamaha Di Zhao Clarinet Yamaha Jupiter Buffet Vito or Leblanc Selmer (older models) |
Alto Saxophone
Yamaha Selmer (older models) Vito Cannonball Trumpet Yamaha Getzen Bach Trombone Yamaha Getzen Bach |
Percussion (Snare Drum)
Pearl Ludwig Yamaha Percussion (Bell Kit) Ludwig Yamaha Pearl Violin/Viola/Cello Eastman Strings Yamaha Stentor Franz Hoffmann |
Please do NOT purchase the following brands of musical instruments:
Accent
Aklot Allora Andoer Cecilio Conductor |
DeLuca
Estella Etude Glory Jean-Paul |
Hawk
Herch Hissonic Kaizer Lagrima |
Lazarro
Lexington Lezzaro Le’Var LJ Hutchen |
Mendini
Merano Mirage Mugig Nuvo Palentino |
Samick
Sky Vangoa Windsor Yinfente |