Getting Your Child The Right Instrument

When Should My Child Have Their Instrument

For participation in the Dater School 5th Grade Band, students should bring their instruments to school on their second lesson.  The 2nd lesson will most likely fall on the 2nd week of school.  No instruments are required on their 1st lesson but they should have them at home all ready to go.

Renting an Instrument 

All instrument rentals are handled online or in-store and not through Dater school. The instruments that are rented through your local music retailers (Music & Arts, The Music Shop) are very dependable, tunable, and easily repaired. Renting from a reputable dealer takes the worry out of choosing a quality brand instrument and takes the stress out of where to go for repairs. Order your instrument early to ensure availability for Fall lessons.

Before renting, please see the “What do I need for Band” link on my webpage for what accessories ( ie. Music stand, lesson book, reeds, etc.) must be purchased for each instrument.

Pre-Owned

If you have a family-owned instrument, your child can certainly use that. It may be a good idea to let me know the brand and model of the instrument in order to make sure that it is a reputable instrument that will perform well for your child. In addition, if the instrument has not been serviced in the last 6 months, please bring it to a repair shop to have it cleaned and regulated. This way you know it will be ready for your child’s exciting first lesson!

If you do not already own an instrument, one of the easiest ways to get a quality instrument for your child is to rent one. When choosing an instrument dealer, in addition to the price of instrument rentals, you may also wish to consider the proximity of the dealer to your home or work for convenience in getting repairs done and/or buying supplies.

Buying on EBay and Department Stores

Before buying a new or pre-owned instrument, be sure to contact Mr. J. and send a link to the instrument.  Instruments purchased online or at big box stores may sometimes be inferior, challenging to play, not easily fixed, and create problems for developing students. The price of an instrument is not necessarily the best indicator of its value and play-ability.  I will do my best to assist you with any instrument purchase questions.  

Recommended Brands When Using/Buying Pre-owned

I have found over the years that the following instruments are durable, easy to repair, and will give your child the best opportunity to succeed as a young musician. (The brands are not listed in any particular order).

C Flute: Gemeinhardt, Armstrong, Yamaha, Artley, Selmer, Bundy, Jupiter 

(As a general rule, do not purchase open-hole flutes for beginners).

Bb Clarinet:  Yamaha, Buffet, Holton, Bundy, LeBlanc, Buescher, Selmer, Jupiter

Trombone:  Bach, Conn, Yamaha, Selmer, King, Blessing, Olds, 

Alto Saxophone:  Selmer, Yamaha, King, Bundy, Buescher, Armstrong, Conn

Baritone (full size):  Yamaha, Bach, Jupiter, Conn, King, Eastman

Bb Trumpet:  Holton, Selmer, Bach, Yamaha, King, Conn, Olds, Besson

French Horn:  Yamaha, Holton, Bach, Conn, King, Getzen (Make sure that you're renting a single horn in the key of F and not Bb).

Bell Kit:  Yamaha, Ludwig, Pearl, Slingerland (Bell kits generally come with a stand and practice pad. Look for the bell kits that have the name of the notes stamped on the keys). Percussion students do not need to rent a snare drum with their bell kits.