Acquiring an Instrument

REMINDER: Students will need: Instrument, Book, and supplies

🎻 J.R. Judd Violins🎻

Specializes in HIGH QUALITY AFFORDABLE STUDENT STRING INSTRUMENTSViolin, Viola, Cello, Bass

https://www.jrjuddviolins.com/

(570) 321-8070

1964 Lycoming Creek Rd - Williamsport, PA

(Delivers quickly to SCASD)

🎺 R.M. Sides 🎺

Band and String Instruments

https://www.rmsides.com/

(814) 861-6882

434 W. Aaron Drive - State College, PA

🎻Homestead Strings🎻

Violin, Viola, Cello

https://www.homesteadstrings.com/

(814)-201-7545

301 Homestead Lane - Boalsburg, PA

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Renting or Buying

SCASD Music Faculty will present information about how to obtain an affordable, quality instrument that your child can find success with. Please try and obtain your child's instrument as soon as you can! Please reach out with any questions about rentals.

An instrument of suitable quality is essential.

To give your child a successful first year in the instrumental program, parents are encouraged to avoid temptations to purchase cheap online instruments that appear to be "too good to be true". Instruments of poor quality can be frustrating and are often unplayable due to insufficient design, materials, and workmanship. Many conscientious parents bring these low-quality instruments to repair shops and are discouraged to find that the repairs needed to make the instrument playable are much greater than the cost of the instrument.

Please reach out to your child's instrumental teacher with any questions to help clarify differences between vendors or to inquire about the quality of a brand of instrument.

Most families will rent an instrument.

Rental fees usually accumulate towards the cost of the instrument (Rent-to-Own programs).
Instrument rental contracts usually include damage insurance.
Easy exchanges. The rental companies will come directly to the school if your child needs to exchange an instrument.
Easy delivery. The rental companies can deliver your child's instrument directly to their school.
Strings only: String instruments must be sized to fit your child. Your child likely still has much growing to do! If you purchase an instrument now, you will need to keep purchasing a larger size as your child grows.

Buying an instrument.

We do not typically recommend buying an instrument for beginner students. Here's why:

Accidents happen! Rental programs tend to cover the instrument in cases of damage, where purchased instruments would not unless they are specifically insured. For more information on what a vendor would cover, please contact them directly.
Instrument brands that are poorly made and can lead to a challenging year for your child.
Please check with your child's instrumental teacher if you do plan on buying an instrument.
String students change sizes frequently (size exchanges through rental programs are free of charge)

If you already own an instrument.

Please contact your child's instrumental teacher to have them assess if the instrument is in good playing condition and is the proper size. It may be possible that the instrument you have is not a good fit for your child. To ensure the instrument is in good playing condition, we can recommend stores to make any needed repairs.

Strings only!

String instruments come in different sizes! The size charts below are average guidelines.

Most Average Sized 4th Grade Students:

1/2 size Violin
12 inch Viola
1/2 size Cello
1/4 size Bass

Above Average 4th Grade Student:

3/4 size Violin
13 inch Viola
3/4 size Cello
1/2 size Bass

Percussion only!

Percussion students will need a percussion bell kit & drum pad. Here are some places that sell this:

RM Sides Percussion Bell Kit & Drum Pad Local State College business **includes method book too!

Amazon Percussion Bell Kit & Drum Pad

Vendors

The vendors below are not endorsed by the State College Area School District. They are simply resources to provide you with as much information as possible. You are welcome to use any vendor you like, but we recommend that you please check with your child's instrumental teacher to make sure you are getting the proper instrument.

** Ask the vendor about delivering to your child's school **

Once you acquire an instrument...

⭐️ Leave it in the case! ⭐️

To help foster correct playing posture and technique from the start, let the teacher give the first introduction.

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