Instrument Upgrades

Is your child ready for an upgrade from their beginner instrument, which is sometimes called a "step up" instrument? Use the following questions to guide you:

• Does your child show a dedication to band, i.e. consistent submission of Pass Offs and other assignments, well-established practice habits, and attendance at all required band events?
• Do you/your child/your child's private instructor feel he or she has "outgrown" his or her current instrument? This can be attributed to the development of good habits on the instrument, i.e. embouchure, characteristic tone, etc.
• Does your child feel frustrated with the construction of his or her current instrument, and/or do you consistently need to send the instrument to the shop for repairs or adjustments?

If you have answered "yes" to one or more of the above questions, it may be time to consider an upgrade. Please consult the slides below for recommendations of quality instrument brands and models. Use the arrows to toggle to the left or right to locate your instrument.

In purchasing an instrument, it is imperative that the brand is widely recognized and highly regarded. Recently, there has been a large influx of online retailers selling instruments whose prices and appearance online look great, but are made with extremely poor quality materials and craftsmanship. These instruments are absolutely not worth the investment.

Rather than providing a list of unacceptable brands, it is more efficient to provide a list of recommended brands. Those listed above are simply some of the most popular and time-tested instruments on the market today; there are certainly more than the above that are a worthwhile investment.

Remember that it is much more prudent to search for a used instrument that is a quality brand, than to pay the same amount of money for a new instrument that is not a quality brand. Your band director and/or private instructor will be happy to help you in your search for a quality investment.

The most important consideration is that a higher quality instrument will not necessarily make a higher quality musician; PRACTICE WILL! If your budget does not currently allow for the investment in a step up instrument, simply make the investment of time in the practice room. Hard work always pays off.