3 Simple Rules on How to Buy or Rent Musical Instruments for your Child

Hello everyone! Thank you for visiting Marcello’s Musings. Here we will discuss various topics. They will be mostly in the music field with some variances on Fanatic Fridays where other subjects can be covered either by me or in response to questions left by the readership. So here we go!

My name is Marcello Rossi. In my experiences at Gus Zoppi Music Center in Sterling Heights, MI where I was a private music instructor for over 25 years, I have taught many students playing different wind instruments: from Trumpet to Tuba, Clarinet to Baritone Saxophone. Most of them became award winning instrumentalists at the American Guild of Music Regional Festivals where I entered them in solo competitions. I am very proud of the successes we achieved together and will always have fond memories of Gus Zoppi Music Center. Once that wonderful place closed in 2016, I moved my students to teach at The Piano Place in Troy, MI. I also have affiliation with Anderson Music in Troy and Evola Music in Shelby. Feel free to check out my website for further info: https://marrossproductions.com/

Many parents (thousands really) have sought my advice as to what is the right brand to rent or buy for their child. Of course that answer varies as to what instrument they are looking to get. Is it a Brass Instrument or Woodwind? What is the best value for their dollar? What are the top brands available? What is most appropriate for the education level and age of the child? The variables go on and on.

One thing that was always consistent with every parent that entered the store before even looking for a teacher, was the instrument they should get for their child to play. Of course that is a good question and the most common one we hear. People go online to find recommendations and I’m sure that is why you are reading this post, but the most important information you will need is why one would pick one instrument brand over another. Here are a few rules to follow:

Rule #1: NEVER THINK THAT A NEW INSTRUMENT THAT YOU CAN GET FOR $100 IS A GOOD BUY!
This is the biggest issue I found with parents. They are already done finding an instrument! Unfortunately they found it online from some music outlet selling a bright, shiny new instrument for around $100. RED FLAG. Always ask yourself, how is someone selling a “new” instrument for $100 dollars and making a profit? And considering it is a rule of good business that it will up-charge merchandise to make 100% profit just so they can have a “sale” and still make a profit, that would mean they acquired the instrument for easily 25% or more less than they are selling it. Does that make sense? Of course it does! In most instances, you get what you pay for. I have found that these “new” instrument break down quickly and easily have “air Leaks”. That is bad news and the instrument will have to be returned (hopefully it was sold with a return guarantee) and a refund could take place.

Rule #2: ALWAYS GO WITH A PROVEN BRAND WHEN CHOOSING AN INSTRUMENT

Brands that have staying power are the first ones to be considered. Why? Because they are good enough to have stayed in business! The woodwind family (flutes, saxophones, clarinets and oboes) have specific brands that are trusted in the music community. Those brands are Yamaha, Selmer and Conn. There are others that can make the list, but these are very well respected and widely used brands that have not had issues with poor manufacturing. For the money a parent would like to invest in an instrument for their child, this would be a safe, sure buy. For the brass wind family (trumpets, trombones, baritones and tubas), once again Yamaha is popular as

well as King, Holton and Bach. There are other well respected, higher end brands but, again, for young players these brands are trusted and well used without issues.
The links to the above brands point to instruments that are available on Amazon right now. There are many instruments new and used that are available on that site. Just stick to the suggested brands and search around. I am confident you will find what you are looking for.

Rule #3: BE SURE TO CHECK THE PRODUCT WARRANTY

Don’t be in a rush to purchase an instrument without checking the return policy and/ or a satisfaction warranty. The brands listed above have such warranties. Why? Because they know they have a solid product to sell. The lesser products may not have a guarantee and even if they do, you don’t want to keep returning the instrument for them to “fix”. This proves to be a waste of time with plenty of aggravation.

Please share a comment if you wish and I hope this information will be useful in your buying or renting endeavors for yourself or your child. Happy shopping!