Purchasing an instrument for the first time can feel intimidating as you begin to consider all of the various brands, sizes, prices, etc…
fortunately, we have some excellent tips from our very own expressions instructors for you!
KEYBOARDS
If you are brand new to the piano, it is highly recommended to start out with purchasing a keyboard first, then gradually expand to purchasing a piano.
The trick to purchasing a keyboard is to find the closest match possible to an acoustic piano. A good keyboard will give a beginning student a great start as it supports their budding technique. The name brand of the instrument is not especially relevant, but there are some key features you will want to ensure your new keyboard include:
- Full-size keyboard with all 88 keys.
- Weighted keys (also referred to as “touch sensitive” or “hammered-grade action”).
- Includes or supports a foot pedal (also referred to as “sustain” or “damper” pedal).
You should be able to find this instrument at Amazon, Steinway Piano Gallery, Evola Music, Costco, or Guitar Center.
You can expect to spend about $600-$1500 depending upon the quality of the instrument.
GUITARS
When looking into purchasing a guitar, the best place to purchase one would be in a physical store, such as Guitar Center, Marshall Music, or Anderson. You’ll be able to check out the various guitars and see how they feel. Be sure to ask an employee for assistance when handling instruments!
For younger students, you may want to consider getting a 3/4 sized guitar, as the student should be able to comfortable reach the last turning pegs on the head-stock.
Acoustic or Electric? It’s all up to preference. It’s the same instrument, just different sounds. Some quality brands to consider include Fender, Squier, Epiphone, Ibanex, Mitchell and Yamaha.
Most guitars will come with a kit including a bag and picks, but if yours happens not to, the main accessories you’ll need include guitar picks, a tuner (clip-on is preferred), a metronome, and strings (0.10 - 0.46 is the standard string thickness).
DRUM SETS
If you are brand new to drums, the best option is to wait to purchase a full drum set and instead purchase a practice pad to start. If after a month of lessons, your student is still interested in the drums, then go for purchasing a set! To save yourself time and money, investing in a practice pad to begin with is best. They are typically pretty cheap and all mostly the same.
If you are ready to research and purchase a drum set, some of the recommended brands included Yamaha, Pearl, Gretsch, Sonor, Ludwig, Tama, Mapex, DW, and for a cheaper option, PDP.
For someone’s very first drum set, we recommend you look into something along the $200 - $600 range. One website we recommend for purchasing drum sets is Sweetwater.com, as you can often find pretty good deals.
Violin & viola & cello
When looking into a violin/viola/cello, it is actually recommended to start by renting one, especially if you are a child. Children usually start on a fractional-size violin, while most adults will play a 4/4 size. For the viola, violas usually start out at 12”, so it is recommended to wait to play viola until you are large enough (violins come in smaller sizes). With the cello, it also varies on the height of the student, but many would typically start off with a 3/4 size cello. It is highly recommended to go into a shop in order to have the staff measure the student to find the correct size.
By renting one, you can easily upgrade to a new size later. Rentals will also include many of the other accessories required, such as a violin bow, case, shoulder rest, rosin, and more! While there isn’t a specific brand of violin we would recommend for purchasing, many serious students tend to visit several shops to try out the various instruments and bows before settling on their final instrument.
Two places we would recommend for renting would include Shar Music in Ann Arbor or Psarianos Violins in Troy. Both have excellent reviews as well as wonderful renting programs. You can purchase rosin, strings, and other accessories at their stores or online through Amazon.com.
Brass instruments
TROMBONE: With the trombone, it’s recommended to buy rather than rent. They are typically inexpensive ($75 - $100) but in one year of renting a trombone, you’ll have spent almost double than you would have spent just purchasing one. When looking into purchasing one, you should avoid “no-name” brands and go with standard instrument companies, such as C. G. Conn, Conn-Selmer, Bach, Yamaha, Getzen, King, Edwards, P-Bone and Shires. When renting or purchasing a trombone, any dents in the bell are easily fixed, while some in the crook of the tuning slide or hand slide may have minor effect on sound.
EUPHONIUM: Opposite of the trombone, renting a euphonium is going to much more cost-effective, as even used ones will run into the thousands. Some brands to look for are Conn, Yamaha, Schiller, Besson, Miraphone, Jupiter and Wilson. One big thing to look into with a euphonium is the brand, as well as if it includes a 4th compensating valve.
TUBA: Similar to the euphonium, renting a tuba is the best option, as you also have to figure out what size tuba your student would play. Brands to look for include Conn, Yamaha, Miraphone, Meini Weston, and B&S. One big thing to factor in for tubas is deciding if you want rotor valves or pistons. Both have their pros/cons, so it usually boils down to personal preference.
WOODWINDS
One golden rule for woodwind instrument - if the price is too good to be true, it probably is! You don’t know where it’s been, so it’s always better to go somewhere in person. Keep an eye on the quality and price - if the instrument is made out of cheap materials, some repairmen may not be able to guarantee they can repair the instrument.
With used instruments, you may end up spending the same amount on a used instrument and repairs as you would a new instrument. One suggestion when you have the instrument is to go through it with a fine tooth comb - take it apart, view each piece individually, then reassemble to ensure there are no issues putting it back together.
Recommended places to go for rentals include Marshall Music and Anderson Music. Some brands to avoid include Bundy, Jupiter, Aristocrat, Etude and Mendini.