Buying & Renting Instruments

Please do not purchase an instrument before your teacher has fitted the student and matched them with an instrument.

Every family must consider the intersection of instrument quality and cost that works for them. Good reeds are just as important for sound as a good instrument. View the Materials List for a list of required materials and recommended equipment for each instrument.

Renting vs. Buying

Students can rent their instrument from Severance Middle School directly, depending on the instrument and availability. Please contact Mr. Swanson for availability and rental fees.

If you intend to rent an instrument for an extended period of time, you may consider renting-to-own. Many local shops offer rent-to-own programs where the majority of your payment is put toward owning the instrument. These programs offer flexibility and still allow you to upgrade your instrument as needed. Prices and options vary between stores, though most offer payment programs with zero interest and maintenance plans in case the instrument breaks.

Buying an instrument outright poses a risk that students might grow out of their instrument quickly, and buying one they will grow into may be physically harmful to the student. High-quality instruments tend to be more expensive, and a lump sum payment may not make sense for every family. Similarly, beware manufacturers who sacrifice quality to provide a lower cost option, as these instruments are more likely to experience issues and failures that can be difficult to fix.

Buyer Beware

Risks to be aware of when purchasing an instrument include:

  • Instruments you cannot see or touch: string instruments manufactured in humid environments and shipped to our dry climate will adjust poorly and cause problems with tuning if they are not set up locally.
  • Instruments you cannot readily return.
  • Colored instruments: we have found that instruments offering in fun colors tent to be an attempt to hide lack of quality, and adding extra paint can diminish sound quality.
  • Used instruments: these can be a great deal, but be sure to look for signs of wear and rot, which can be subtle. Feel free to show your instructors any instruments you find, as we can help you evaluate whether a deal is too good to be true.

Local Stores

Below is a list of recommended music stores in the area at which instruments can be bought, rented, and repaired. Most other materials needed for class are also available here.