Band instruments

[CrimsonMaiden]

For those in the know, would there be a cheaper place besides eBay to get one? Daughter is headed into middle school, and if she doesn't sign up this year, then she can never participate in band. The problem is... instrument rental is $50 a month, and at least right now, we cannot afford that. What I was hoping was to find her one through eBay or a discount shop somewhere that we could just buy outright and (if need be) beg and plead with her grandparents to help us buy it.

They say not to purchase one until after you attend the rental meeting. I don't know if they try to determine the best fitting instrument per child or what (when I was in school, you just picked what you wanted to play). If she can't play clarinet or the flute, then we probably won't be able to swing it at all. I don't think we can afford anything else just from the little bit of searching I've done so far.

 

[Katyusha]

For those in the know, would there be a cheaper place besides eBay to get one? Daughter is headed into middle school, and if she doesn't sign up this year, then she can never participate in band. The problem is... instrument rental is $50 a month, and at least right now, we cannot afford that. What I was hoping was to find her one through eBay or a discount shop somewhere that we could just buy outright and (if need be) beg and plead with her grandparents to help us buy it.

They say not to purchase one until after you attend the rental meeting. I don't know if they try to determine the best fitting instrument per child or what (when I was in school, you just picked what you wanted to play). If she can't play clarinet or the flute, then we probably won't be able to swing it at all. I don't think we can afford anything else just from the little bit of searching I've done so far.

Did you look only at new instruments or did you look at new AND used, other than on eBay? Also, if you have music stores that are local to you that rent or sell band instruments, ask if they sell used ones. That way you can be somewhat assured that the instrument still has quality while getting it for a greatly reduced price than a new one.

 

[impressive]

Daughter starts middle school next year, too -- and wants to play the clarinet. If we had to purchase an instrument, I'm not sure what I'd do -- because I'm afraid her orthodontia will inhibit her willingness to practice. On the other side of the coin, I'm thrilled she's expressing an interest, so I don't want to do anything to squelch that.

*sigh* As it stands, I've told her my concerns & she says she wants to go ahead with it. Barring a complete thumbs down from her orthodontist, I've okayed it.

I have no info re cheap instruments, though.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Did you look only at new instruments or did you look at new AND used, other than on eBay? Also, if you have music stores that are local to you that rent or sell band instruments, ask if they sell used ones. That way you can be somewhat assured that the instrument still has quality while getting it for a greatly reduced price than a new one.

I haven't looked anywhere besides ebay so far, and that was just a cursory glance (flutes at around $120 and clarinets at around $150... saxes were in the $300s). I live in a jerkwater cowtown, so we don't have any music stores here.

 

[Trinique_Fire]

For those in the know, would there be a cheaper place besides eBay to get one? Daughter is headed into middle school, and if she doesn't sign up this year, then she can never participate in band. The problem is... instrument rental is $50 a month, and at least right now, we cannot afford that. What I was hoping was to find her one through eBay or a discount shop somewhere that we could just buy outright and (if need be) beg and plead with her grandparents to help us buy it.

They say not to purchase one until after you attend the rental meeting. I don't know if they try to determine the best fitting instrument per child or what (when I was in school, you just picked what you wanted to play). If she can't play clarinet or the flute, then we probably won't be able to swing it at all. I don't think we can afford anything else just from the little bit of searching I've done so far.

Try your local Freecycle AND CL...also, every community has groups that are similar to Freecycle. They're worth checking out too.

ETA: Don't you love how schools get you with their little "catches?"

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Our town in so small, I doubt we have a freecycle or CL. How would I find out?

 

[Trinique_Fire]

Our town in so small, I doubt we have a freecycle or CL. How would I find out?

www.freecycle.org

Put in your city and state. Even if you don't have one directly in your area, a lot of times smaller towns have one that serves three or four local areas.

www.craigslist.org

Click on your state and it will give you options for the city/town closest to you.

Freecycle prefers that you pick up, but sometimes they make exceptions. Craigslist is more informal, and you can state in your ad whether or not you want someone to drop off to you.

ETA: Make sure you're very clear about what you're looking for. Don't accept any old instrument. Ask for pictures, instrument history, etc.

ETA2: Also try www.buysellcommunity.com

 

[Guest]

For those in the know, would there be a cheaper place besides eBay to get one? Daughter is headed into middle school, and if she doesn't sign up this year, then she can never participate in band. The problem is... instrument rental is $50 a month, and at least right now, we cannot afford that. What I was hoping was to find her one through eBay or a discount shop somewhere that we could just buy outright and (if need be) beg and plead with her grandparents to help us buy it.

They say not to purchase one until after you attend the rental meeting. I don't know if they try to determine the best fitting instrument per child or what (when I was in school, you just picked what you wanted to play). If she can't play clarinet or the flute, then we probably won't be able to swing it at all. I don't think we can afford anything else just from the little bit of searching I've done so far.

Most beginner instruments are around $600-800. Saxophones are the most expensive, at double that price or more.

Most companies rent flutes, clarinets, trumpets, trombones, and drum kits for around $25-30 a month. Maybe a bit more, depending.

Most schools provide the "bigger" instruments, to encourage kids to play them.
Bass clarinet, sometimes tenor sax, trombone, baritone, tuba - that sort. Not really beginner instruments, however.

I would check the newspaper over ebay, truly. Pawn shops, even. The big danger in purchasing used flutes, clarinets and saxophones is that the pads are old and damaged ($100 - 150 repair job) so even if you get a good deal on the instrument itself you're screwed from the get-go.

You must buy a decent brand name. There are quite a few instruments being sold that are made in Taiwan - made out of very poor quality metals. They break easily and are not repairable.

If you have questions about specific brands, please PM? If you have any questions at all -

 

[jomar]

Craigslist?

Did you google 'dirt cheap musical instruments in excellent condition'?

eBay might be your best bet given where you live.

 

[Maeve_redux]

I started out with clarinet and went to more expensive instruments from there. As soon as Dad figured out which one had been decided on, we hit.... pawn shops!

Pawn shops, second hand stores, music shops, craigslist, and freecycle are all wonderful places to get instruments. Just make sure that, as soon as you buy one - or before, if the current owner is willing - take it to a music shop to make sure all the parts are working. All wind instruments need their pads, corks, valves, etc. checked to make sure it's in correct working condition.

Good luck out there!

 

[Guest]

Okay, never mind what I said about ebay! You have to sift through things but I found some deals for clarinets already.

This clarinet is $200 with $15 shipping, Buy it Now. It's a Yamaha - excellent quality.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Yamaha-20-stude...ryZ47098QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Here is a Selmer-Bundy model - also very good for $185 and free shipping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SELMER-BUNDY-RE...ryZ47098QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Guest]

Here is a Selmer flute - $149.00, $16.50 shipping. Recently repadded - this is a good deal.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Selmer-Closed-H...ryZ10183QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Something for you to think about with a flute - you'd never have to buy reeds (which run $2.00 apiece for clarinets. She'll go through them pretty fast at the beginning, then one or two a month throughout the year.

It's not a lot of money but it always seems to hit at the most inopportune times.

 

[tickledkitty]

I got a very, very nice clarinet from a pawn shop when I was in college for $65. The guy there obviously didn't know what he had. I nearly peed my pants when I saw the name on it and at the same time tried really hard not to let on that it was anything special.

I took it to my clarinet teacher, and he said it was worth around $800 as is. He said once I had it cleaned and repadded it would be worth $300 to $400 more. So, in the end, I had an $1100 instrument, which we paid around $90 for.

It's worth a try. I mean, even if you don't make out like that, you could still probably turn around and sell it for more than what you paid for it.

 

[Guest]

I got a very, very nice clarinet from a pawn shop when I was in college for $65. The guy there obviously didn't know what he had. I nearly peed my pants when I saw the name on it and at the same time tried really hard not to let on that it was anything special.

I took it to my clarinet teacher, and he said it was worth around $800 as is. He said once I had it cleaned and repadded it would be worth $300 to $400 more. So, in the end, I had an $1100 instrument, which we paid around $90 for.

It's worth a try. I mean, even if you don't make out like that, you could still probably turn around and sell it for more than what you paid for it.

I found a very nice student model flute for $25 at a garage sale. They just wanted to get rid of it. I was pleased.

(Not as great a deal as yours, though!)

 

[tickledkitty]

I found a very nice student model flute for $25 at a garage sale. They just wanted to get rid of it. I was pleased.

(Not as great a deal as yours, though!)

It was a Buffet Crampon. One of the luckiest things that ever happened to me. I needed a professional instrument and had no idea in the world how I was going to get one. It felt like a miracle.

 

[Guest]

It was a Buffet Crampon. One of the luckiest things that ever happened to me. I needed a professional instrument and had no idea in the world how I was going to get one. It felt like a miracle.

That's marvelous.

Last summer we upgraded daughter's flute to an open hole and bought son the drum set. (It's one of the reasons hubby and I work second jobs - all those delightful expenses. Anyway.)

The flute thing was not expected. During a parade the end joint of her flute was crushed by a float - ahem. Not fixable. To replace that one piece was nearly $300. So I used the end joint from my garage sale flute (didn't exactly match) and she made that work until the summer. Then we upgraded.

You do what you can.

 

[tickledkitty]

That's marvelous.

Last summer we upgraded daughter's flute to an open hole and bought son the drum set. (It's one of the reasons hubby and I work second jobs - all those delightful expenses. Anyway.)

The flute thing was not expected. During a parade the end joint of her flute was crushed by a float - ahem. Not fixable. To replace that one piece was nearly $300. So I used the end joint from my garage sale flute (didn't exactly match) and she made that work until the summer. Then we upgraded.

You do what you can.

Yup, that's why you need a cheap/crappy instrument for marching band and a nice one for concert band. I think my marching band clarinet came from a garage sale, as well. It was very old and plastic, so it didn't matter if it got rained on.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Most beginner instruments are around $600-800. Saxophones are the most expensive, at double that price or more.

Most companies rent flutes, clarinets, trumpets, trombones, and drum kits for around $25-30 a month. Maybe a bit more, depending.

I played the sax in high school. Got mine from my best friend's brother for $100. I don't remember exactly what happened, but at some point during my high school years, it got damaged, and all the pads had to be replaced. We didn't have to pay for it though. The school did (I don't know why, I just know we didn't pay for the repairs). We didn't pay for replacement reeds either. The band director always had them. I guess it was part of the budget.

They do have the rental available (they say at about $50 a month). I just don't know that we will be financially able to do that. We *might* be, but I want to research alternatives in case we can't so we'll be prepared when the time comes. There's a huge difference between $150 and $600.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Sarah, I will be pming you for reliable brands.

 

[Guest]

Yup, that's why you need a cheap/crappy instrument for marching band and a nice one for concert band. I think my marching band clarinet came from a garage sale, as well. It was very old and plastic, so it didn't matter if it got rained on.

Yep. She still has her old flute (made up of two old flutes) for band this fall. Can't believe she goes to the high school!!! She's only 13!!!

But I hope she has as much fun in music as I did.

 

[Guest]

I played the sax in high school. Got mine from my best friend's brother for $100. I don't remember exactly what happened, but at some point during my high school years, it got damaged, and all the pads had to be replaced. We didn't have to pay for it though. The school did (I don't know why, I just know we didn't pay for the repairs). We didn't pay for replacement reeds either. The band director always had them. I guess it was part of the budget.

They do have the rental available (they say at about $50 a month). I just don't know that we will be financially able to do that. We *might* be, but I want to research alternatives in case we can't so we'll be prepared when the time comes. There's a huge difference between $150 and $600.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Sarah, I will be pming you for reliable brands.

Please do so!

I don't want to post the "bad" ones in open forum.

Even Sears sells band instruments, for pete's sake! They don't have any brand name on them at all.

Good for you, by the way, for doing this for your daughter.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

I just hope she takes to instruments better than I did. It wasn't until I switched over to voice, after five futile years of fighting practicing, that it actually became rewarding. The next five were wonderful. Shoot, I even managed to sing in the Army.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I just hope she takes to instruments better than I did. It wasn't until I switched over to voice, after five futile years of fighting practicing, that it actually became rewarding. The next five were wonderful. Shoot, I even managed to sing in the Army.

Hopefully, she will. And if it turns out that it's just not her thing, then that's okay too. At least she would have tried.

 

[tickledkitty]

Yep. She still has her old flute (made up of two old flutes) for band this fall. Can't believe she goes to the high school!!! She's only 13!!!

But I hope she has as much fun in music as I did.

Those were the best times, weren't they?

Hopefully, she will. And if it turns out that it's just not her thing, then that's okay too. At least she would have tried.

Crim, that's a really good attitude to have. I think you could find her an instrument cheaper than $50 a month. I mean, are they giving you the option to buy it? Keep in mind that it doesn't have to be the very best quality for someone just starting out.

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Crim, that's a really good attitude to have. I think you could find her an instrument cheaper than $50 a month. I mean, are they giving you the option to buy it? Keep in mind that it doesn't have to be the very best quality for someone just starting out.

I reread the letter and it's *rent to own*... but it would still be cheaper to buy one outright if I can find a good deal than it would be to pay $50 a month for 10-12 months (or however long it would take to pay it off.) I looked for an email address for the band teacher, but there wasn't one. I'm going to ask my daughter's principal if he knows of an easy way for me to get in contact so I can ask some questions.

We have to have the sign up paper turned in to her now school before school is over, so we are going to go ahead and sign it... and pray we can work it out somehow.

 

[Guest]

I reread the letter and it's *rent to own*... but it would still be cheaper to buy one outright if I can find a good deal than it would be to pay $50 a month for 10-12 months (or however long it would take to pay it off.) I looked for an email address for the band teacher, but there wasn't one. I'm going to ask my daughter's principal if he knows of an easy way for me to get in contact so I can ask some questions.

We have to have the sign up paper turned in to her now school before school is over, so we are going to go ahead and sign it... and pray we can work it out somehow.

What I would do when I started students?

I'd invite a music company or two to bring a truckload of instruments with them for a meeting at the school. Then they would talk to the parents about pricing, options, rent to own or buying outright. I'd tell them to bring some used instruments, too.

Usually the rent to own plan gave the child a few months to try things out. If it didn't work, stop payments, return instrument, no harm no foul.

And if kids wanted French horn, baritone, trombone, tuba - the school provided those instruments free of charge.

Usually kids would have picked out what they wanted to play before this meeting, but that doesn't really matter. If your daughter wants to be in band, she can be in band. Just show up the first day of class with an instrument. You can go to the meeting to compare prices, of course.