Local Music Stores for Instrument Rentals and Recommended Brands

Families are welcome to purchase supplies or rent instruments from any local music store. There are many advantages to renting an instrument:

1. Most stores offer free repairs during your rental period.
2. Rental programs are usually rent-to-own, meaning that all payments go toward the eventual purchase of the instrument.
3. You can be assured that you are receiving a high-quality, music teacher approved instrument that will last your student for years to come.
4. Instruments are able to be traded in for a larger size (strings) or different instrument without losing the money you have already paid.

***Please be aware that in recent years, many low quality instruments have been promoted over the Internet and in department stores. They are inexpensive and so poorly made that instrument repair professionals refuse to work on them. Having a high quality, durable instrument is crucial to ensuring your student's success in band and strings. Do not buy or rent a music instrument from a store or website (e.g. Amazon) that sells clothing and/or food and do not buy an instrument that is painted any color (blue, pink, etc). Be wary of deals that seem "too-good-to-be-true" - they probably are! Listed in the next column are several music stores that offer very competitive prices and reasonable rental plans for high quality instruments. If you need assistance obtaining an instrument, please contact Ms. Bryant and she would be happy to help you.

Recommended String Instrument Brands Include:

• Eastman, Glaesel, Scherl & Roth, Knilling, Meisel, Franz Hoffman, Klaus Mueller

All string instruments come in various sizes to allow students of all ages to play music. As your child grows, your rented instrument can be traded for a larger instrument at no charge. If you buy an instrument now, you will need to purchase several instruments in the near future as your child grows. Instruments should be in natural wood tone color. Also, if you choose to purchase an instrument, please be certain to get the correct size for your child (probably 1/4 or 1/2 size, not full size 4/4). To ensure you get the proper instrument size for your child, please bring your child with you to the music store.

Recommended Band Instrument Brands:

Flute: Yamaha, Gemeinhardt, Armstrong, Jupiter

Clarinet: Buffet, Yamaha, Selmer, Jupiter

Alto Saxophone: Yamaha, Selmer, Jupiter, JZ, Armstrong

Trumpet: Yamaha, King, Bach, Getzen, JZ

French Horn: THES may be able to provide this instrument

Trombone: Yamaha, Bach TB-300, King, Conn

Baritone: THES may be able to provide this instrument

Tuba: THES may be able to provide this instrument

Percussion: Pearl, Ludwig or Vic Firth bell kits

Click the store names to go directly to their websites.

Music and Arts*

Mike's Music*

Baltimore Brass Company*

Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center

Gailes' Violin Shop (Strings Only)

Shar Music (Strings Only)

Southwest Strings (Strings Only)

Bill's Music

Menchey Music