Acquiring a Stringed Instrument

August 23, 2009

Choosing an instrument is an important decision which should not be made lightly. After all, you will be hearing and working with this instrument every day!

When you are looking for a stringed instrument, you have several options:

* Rent or purchase from a local music store
* Rent or purchase from a mail order music store
* Purchase from a family within the Western Reserve Suzuki School

Most music shops will rent stringed instruments for a monthly fee. Some will even credit the rental cost toward a purchase if you buy within a certain time-frame. Make sure you know exactly what you are getting – and what you are not getting -when you sign the rental agreement. If you have any uncertainty, ask the vendor! They have heard all your questions before and are usually happy to help.

Purchasing an instrument is an investment, and can be intimidating. Remember, your teacher is happy to help guide you through this process! Any good dealer will allow you to choose several models from different vendors within your price range to try out. You should bring the choices to your private lesson so your teacher can see and hear them and help you make an educated decision.

Many dealers will give you partial or full credit toward the purchase of the next larger size instrument, so you are not “stuck” with several instruments your child has outgrown. This may be an important factor to consider since your child can grow through several instruments sizes in a single year of (s)he is growing rapidly.

Size matters with instruments. If you cannot find the size you need, it is better to keep searching than to settle for the wrong size.

Purchasing an instrument from another family in the Western Reserve Suzuki School has its advantages: you can spend more time with aninstrument before you purchase it and you can usually get a pretty good price.

If you have questions or concerns about purchasing an instrument, please speak to your teacher and to other WRSS parents. Everyone in this program has been through the uncertainty of these choices before and most are happy to share their wisdom and experience with you!