Instrument Purchase Advice
BMS does not sell instruments. You are free to purchase an instrument from whoever you wish. Please ask your child's tutor BEFORE purchasing an instrument as they will be best placed to advise you. on an instrument suitable for your child’s level of playing. Below is a guide which may help you.
Keyboards
BMS does not hire out keyboards. All pupils learning keyboard must have an instrument at home to practice on. Below are some examples of recommended keyboards and the minimum quality for an entry level/beginner instrument.
The market for keyboards can be quite overwhelming as there are so many models and makes. Please use the suggestions below to help you navigate and use them as a starting point to see which features are right for your child.
Essential features: Full size keys, 61 keys minimum, speakers
Desirable features: Touch sensitive keys
Accessories: Keyboard stand and stool. It is work noting that you can often buy these as "bundles" with the instrument.
Entry Level - suitable for beginners
These represent the minimum standard instrument for your child to be able to make good progress and have a reliable instrument with the right features.
Axus AXP10 Portable Keyboard (approx £95)
Axus AXP2 Electronic Keyboard (approx £125)
Mid-Level - Recommended
This instrument has the advantage of touch sensitive keys which are desirable for good technique. This instrument is of good quality and is suitable for beginners to mid-level player
Yamaha PSR E360 (approx £180)
For those with a larger budget who would like a higher quality instrument who are looking for their child to learn "piano" skills
Look for weighted keys. These come semi-weighted or weighted. Semi-weighted will be around £500+, fully weighted will start at approx £1,000. If you are thinking about making this kind of an investment, we recommend you visit a shop to play the instrument before buying one.
Recommended Suppliers:
https://www.normans.co.uk/collections/portable-keyboards
https://www.gear4music.com/pianos-keyboards/keyboards
https://www.dawsons.co.uk/piano-and-keyboard-shop
Amazon and e-bay may also be good options.
Bowed String Instruments
Violins and violas are generally cheaper to buy than hire over the course of a year.
String instruments come in different sizes for students of different sizes! So please make sure you purchase the correct size instrument as advised by your BMS tutor. Buying an instrument that does not 'fit' your child is likely to make playing and learning more difficult and uncomfortable.
Be aware that instruments appearing to be good value online can sometimes be of poor quality even for beginner standards. Please also note that instruments listed on auction sites such as ebay may be damaged or unfit for playing. A poor quality instrument could potentially put your child off playing.
Your child's violin or viola tutor may request you to also buy a shoulder rest. A good reliable brand for beginner violin students is 'FOM' (make sure to get the size that fits the instrument)
Cello students will be required to purchase spike holders.
Violins
Expect to pay around £80 and upwards for a decent brand new violin. Model numbers for each brand go higher according to the level of quality of the materials used. Choose the highest model within your budget. A higher quality instrument (along with regular practice!) will help your child to produce a good sound.
Entry Level Instruments (suitable for beginners)
Top recommended brand: Stentor
Stentor Standard (minimum standard)
Stentor Student 1
Stentor Student 2 (if you want to invest in even better quality - great for intermediate players)
Other good value brands:
Primavera (90 ,100 or 200 models)
Forenza Prima 2 (please avoid 'Forenza Uno')
Mid-Level Instruments - (suitable for students playing at grade 3-5 level)
Stentor Student 2
Hidersine Piacenza
Please do ask for advice from your child's teacher if you are unsure through writing in their practice journal.
Violas
Stentor
Cellos
You can hire a cello from BMS subject to availability. If you wish to purchase a cello for your child we recommend Stentor. Please seek advice from your child's tutor.
Stentor
Spike holder/ end pin stopper: https://www.thestringzone.co.uk/multi-position-chair-anchored-cello-endpin-stop
Double Basses
You can hire a double bass from BMS subject to availability. If you wish to purchase a double bass for your child, please seek advice from your child's tutor.
Recommended Suppliers for String Instruments:
https://www.gear4music.com/orchestral/string-instruments
https://www.normans.co.uk/collections/stringed-instruments
https://folkiesmusic.co.uk/ - shop in Kilburn
For strings and other accessories: https://www.thestringzone.co.uk/
Classical Guitars
All children in primary schools are taught classical guitar as it gives them a really solid grounding in technique.
BMS does not hire out guitars as it considered more cost effective to purchase the instrument outright.
Guitars come in different sizes, always check with the music tutor before making a purchase..
Always remember that off brand instrument purchased second hand on eBay/Facebook Marketplace may be of poor quality even for beginner standards. Always check with the tutor or someone with working knowledge of Guitars before purchasing.
There are some essential accessories that will need to be purchased alongside the instrument, please see below for a detailed list.
Classical Guitars
Expect to pay between £50-80 for a decent beginner guitar brand new. Where possible choose the highest model within your budget. A higher quality instrument (along with regular practice!) will help your child to produce a good sound.
Some low cost recommended brands include -
3rd Avenue
Rocket
Stagg
Valencia
Some higher cost recommended brands include -
Fender
Ortega
Yamaha
Essential accessories would include -
Case
Tuner
Spare string pack
Most music stores will provide starter kits with all accessories included in one price. Other accessories like guitar stands, capos and straps are non essential , please only purchase if you have room in your budget.
Classical Guitar Books
All pupils learning with BMS in primary schools will use The Guitarist's Way. This is available from Amazon
Recommended Suppliers
https://www.normans.co.uk/collections/guitars-folk
https://www.thomann.de/gb/guitars_and_basses.html
https://folkiesmusic.co.uk/ - shop in Kilburn
Electric Guitars
Electric Guitars
Expect to pay between £110-250 for a decent beginner guitar brand new. Where possible choose the highest model within your budget. A higher quality instrument (along with regular practice!) will help your child to produce a good sound.
Some low cost recommended brands include -
Squier
Epiphone
Stagg
Harvey Benton
Some higher cost recommended brands include -
Fender
Ibanez
Yamaha
Essential accessories would include -
Case
Tuner
Jack lead
Strap
Amp
Plectrum
Most music stores will provide starter kits with all accessories included in one price. Other accessories like guitar stands, capos and straps are non essential , please only purchase if you have room in your budget.
Woodwind
Due to the cost of certain Woodwind Instruments we recommend that beginners hire an instrument through BMS or another music shop. If you wish to purchase an instrument for your child, please see the guide below for recommended makes and models.
Some important things to consider before purchasing or hiring -
Woodwind instruments are made in different tunings which vary between different instrument types. Please always check which tuning is correct with the Woodwind Tutor before hiring or purchasing.
There are some essential accessories that are needed when purchasing an instrument, some examples are listed below.
Always remember that off brand instrument purchased second hand on eBay/Facebook Marketplace may be of poor quality even for beginner standards. Always check with the tutor or someone with working knowledge of Guitars before purchasing.
Flute
Expect to pay between £115-160 for a decent beginner Flute brand new. Where possible choose the highest model within your budget. A higher quality instrument (along with regular practice!) will help your child to produce a good sound.
Below are some examples of makes and models -
Some low cost recommended brands include -
Trevor James - 5X
John Packer - JP111
Elkhart - 100 Series
Some higher cost recommended brands include -
Yamaha - YFL212/YFL312
Trevor James - TJ10X
Jupiter - JFL-700EC
Clarinet
Expect to pay between £200-400 for a decent beginner Clarinet brand new. Where possible choose the highest model within your budget. A higher quality instrument (along with regular practice!) will help your child to produce a good sound.
The vast majority of Clarinets are tuned in Bb, as always please check with the Woodwind tutor to confirm. Below are some examples of makes and models -
Some low cost recommended brands include -
Woodcraft - WCL-100
John Packer - JP121
Montrux - Student
Some higher cost recommended brands include -
Yamaha - YCL 255S
Jupiter JCL-700S
Buffet - Prodige
Saxophone
Expect to pay between £400-600 for a decent beginner Saxophone brand new. Where possible choose the highest model within your budget. A higher quality instrument (along with regular practice!) will help your child to produce a good sound.
Saxophone are tuned Eb (Alto) and Bb (Tenor), as always please check with the Woodwind tutor to confirm. Below are some examples of makes and models -
Some Eb (Alto) model brands include -
Trevor James - Classic II/The Horn
Yamaha - YAS-280/YAS-480
Some F/Bb (Compensation/Double) model brands include -
Yamaha - YTS-280/YTS-480
Jupiter - JTS700Q
Oboe/Bassoon
Oboes and Bassoons are considered speaclist insturments. It is recomended that you speak with the Woodwind tutor and vist music stores, some listed below, before purchasing or hiring these instruemnts.
Accessories
Essential accessories are -
Flute - Case, Cleaning Cloth, Cleaning Rod
Clarinet - Case, Cleaning Cloth, Cork Grease, Reed Pack (Sizes varires)
Saxophone - Case, Cleaning Pullthrough, Cork Grease, Sligh/Harness, Reed Pack (Sizes varires)
Recommended Suppliers for String Instruments:
https://www.normans.co.uk/collections/woodwind
https://www.johnpacker.co.uk/shop/woodwind-instruments
https://www.rosehillinstruments.co.uk/c/4/woodwind
https://folkiesmusic.co.uk/ - shop in Kilburn
Brass
Due to the cost of certain Brass Instruments we recommend that beginners hire an instrument through BMS or another music shop. If you wish to purchase an instrument for your child, please see the guide below for recomended makes and models.
Some important things to concider before pruchasing or hiring -
Brass instruments are made in different tunings which vary between different instrument types. Please always check which tuning is correct with the Brass Tutor before hiring or purchasing.
There are some essential accessories that are needed when purchasing an instrument, some examples are listed below.
Always remember that off brand instrument purchased second hand on eBay/Facebook Marketplace may be of poor quality even for beginner standards. Always check with the tutor or someone with working knowledge of Guitars before purchasing.
Trumpet
Expect to pay between £150-250 for a decent beginner Trumpet brand new. Where possible choose the highest model within your budget. A higher quality instrument (along with regular practice!) will help your child to produce a good sound.
The vast majority of Turmpets are tuned in Bb, as always please check with the Brass tutor to confirm. Below are some examples of makes and models -
Some low cost recommended brands include -
Elkhart - 100 Series/100TR Series
John Packer - JP105/JP151
Vincent Bach - Prelude
Some higher cost recommended brands include -
Yamaha - YTR2330/YTR3335
John Packer - JP251
Jupiter - JTR500-Q/JTR700-RQ
Trombone
Expect to pay between £200-300 for a decent beginner Trombone brand new. Where possible choose the highest model within your budget. A higher quality instrument (along with regular practice!) will help your child to produce a good sound.
The vast majority of Trombones are tuned in Bb, as always please check with the Brass tutor to confirm. Below are some examples of makes and models -
Some low cost recommended brands include -
Elkhart - 100 Series
John Packer - JP031/JP132R
Vincent Bach - Prelude
Some higher cost recommended brands include -
Yamaha - YSL 354/YSL 447
John Packer - JP231 RATH
Jupiter - JTB700
French Horn
Expect to pay between £300-400 for a decent beginner French Horn brand new. Where possible choose the highest model within your budget. A higher quality instrument (along with regular practice!) will help your child to produce a good sound.
French Horns tuned Bb (Single) and F/Bb (Compensation/Double), as always please check with the Brass tutor to confirm. Below are some examples of makes and models -
Some Bb (Single) model brands include -
Elkhart - 100 Series
John Packer - JP161
Some F/Bb (Compensation/Double) model brands include -
Yamaha - YSL 354/YSL 447
John Packer - JP263 RATH/JP261
Eastman - EFH520
Euphonium/Tuba
Euphoiums and Tubas are considered speaclist insturments. It is recomended that you speak with the Brass tutor and vist music stores, some listed below, before purchasing or hiring these instruemnts.
Accessories
Essential accessories are -
Trumpet/French Horn/Euphonium/Tuba - Case, Mouthpiece, Vavle Oil, Cleaning Cloth
Trombone - Case, Mouthpiece, Slide Cream, Cleaning Cloth
Optional accessories include -
All Instruments - Practice Mutes, Laccur Cloths
Euphonium/Tuba - Instrument Stands
Recommended Suppliers for String Instruments:
https://www.johnpacker.co.uk/shop/brass-instruments
https://www.normans.co.uk/collections/brass
https://www.rosehillinstruments.co.uk/c/2/brass
https://folkiesmusic.co.uk/ - shop in Kilburn