Purchasing or renting a band instrument can be a complicated decision, and a very personal one, as it involves personal taste as well as personal finances. However, there are some things to keep in mind as you consider buying an instrument for your student.
First, most instruments that students start on in 4th or 5th grade are "beginner" instruments. This usually means that they are built to different tolerances than would be an instrument thought of as "intermediate" or "professional". This also means that at some point, if your student continues to progress musically, that instrument will begin to get in the way of their development to one degree or another. At some point, buying an upgraded instrument (or sometimes just an upgraded mouthpiece) can make a world of difference in the ability of a student to progress.
If you are considering buying an instrument or mouthpiece for your student, please consider the following points:
-having an opportunity to play the instrument before purchase is ideal and in many instances necessary
-there are many instrument options for sale online which can be described more accurately as "instrument shaped objects" which will likely be worse than the students existing instrument. Just because it looks new and shiny doesn't mean it will play well. If you aren't sure about something you are considering buying, please feel free to contact me.
-buying used can be a WONDERFUL thing. As with buying a car, you can often get great deals on used instruments if you know what to look for. Over the years, I have purchase many instruments with great success through classified ads in either newspapers or online. Again, if you need help, please feel free to contact me.
-when upgrading to a better instrument, going all the way to "professional" level instrument can be the right move in many cases. Buying that "professional" level instrument will take your student as far as they can go skill-wise, and also usually hold better resale value if the time ever comes to sell.
First, most instruments that students start on in 4th or 5th grade are "beginner" instruments. This usually means that they are built to different tolerances than would be an instrument thought of as "intermediate" or "professional". This also means that at some point, if your student continues to progress musically, that instrument will begin to get in the way of their development to one degree or another. At some point, buying an upgraded instrument (or sometimes just an upgraded mouthpiece) can make a world of difference in the ability of a student to progress.
If you are considering buying an instrument or mouthpiece for your student, please consider the following points:
-having an opportunity to play the instrument before purchase is ideal and in many instances necessary
-there are many instrument options for sale online which can be described more accurately as "instrument shaped objects" which will likely be worse than the students existing instrument. Just because it looks new and shiny doesn't mean it will play well. If you aren't sure about something you are considering buying, please feel free to contact me.
-buying used can be a WONDERFUL thing. As with buying a car, you can often get great deals on used instruments if you know what to look for. Over the years, I have purchase many instruments with great success through classified ads in either newspapers or online. Again, if you need help, please feel free to contact me.
-when upgrading to a better instrument, going all the way to "professional" level instrument can be the right move in many cases. Buying that "professional" level instrument will take your student as far as they can go skill-wise, and also usually hold better resale value if the time ever comes to sell.