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Renting an Instrument
Renting an Instrument
BUYER BEWARE!!! Please do NOT buy an instrument during your first year of learning. Oftentimes, students change their minds on what instrument they want to learn how to play. Typically, inexpensive instruments purchased from Amazon or other websites are difficult to play, easy to break, and lead to frustration. If in doubt, please reach out to your teacher first.
Below are the recommended district vendors for renting instruments.
They bring instruments right to the school with everything you need to play.
Music Shop - Pricing can be viewed after entering district & school information
Elefante Music - please use the following code for Edison rentals -141042024
Music & Arts - Pricing can be viewed after entering district & school information
Orchestra Instrument Sizing
Orchestra Instrument Sizing
Violin and Viola Sizes
Choose 3/4 violin or 13” viola if your child is under 5'4" feet.
Choose 1/2 violin or 12" viola if your child is 4' or under.
*Do not rent a 14" viola or 4/4 violin.
Cello Sizes
Choose 1/2 cello if your child is under 5'4" and above 4'.
Choose 1/4 cello if your child is 4' or under.
*Do not rent a 3/4 size cello.
Bass Sizes
Please order a 1/4 bass to practice on at home. We have ones at John Marshall to use for our in-school lessons.
*Do not order a bass bigger than 1/4
BUYER BEWARE!!! Please do NOT buy an instrument during your first year of learning. Oftentimes, students change their minds on what instrument they want to learn how to play. Typically, inexpensive instruments purchased from Amazon or other websites are difficult to play, easy to break, and lead to frustration. If in doubt, please reach out to your teacher first.
Extras to Purchase
Extras to Purchase
Please consider purchasing the following materials to assist with your musician's growth on their instrument. These additions will make it easier for them to practice and increase their interest in the instrument.
Shoulder rest - violin/viola only. This will make it comfortable for the students to play their instrument properly. I find that students do not want to play their instrument if it is uncomfortable. You can buy a foam shoulder rest or a typical shoulder rest.
Key chain - This will make your musician's instrument case look different from their classmates' and make it easier to identify amongst all of the cases.
Cello/Bass endpin stopper - cello and bass only. This will prevent the instrument from slipping on and scrapping the floor. If your cello or bass already has a rubber tip on the endpin, this will not be needed.
Music stand - This will allow your musician to read their music comfortably.
Soft cloth - This will be used to wipe the instrument clean from rosin dust that accumulates while we play with our bow.
Extra strings - In case a string breaks, these can be used to replace it. The string size is the same size as your musician's instrument (4/4 or full-scale, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 12", 13", etc)
Method Book - See below.
If you rent from our list of recommended vendors, they will typically include a copy of the Essential Elements Method Book 1 for the rented instrument. This will be our primary resource for lessons each week. If you purchased your instrument, or if the rental does not come with the method book, please see below on where to purchase the book.
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