Massachusetts: What’s The Best Way To Secure Instruments For Kids
This time of year, families start to think about the big items needed for the start of the next school year. Some of them take some planning and budget. In addition, items like musical instruments for school can take some research. It’s not always easy to figure out where to rent or buy certain instruments from.
When I was growing up, I opted to play the saxophone in middle school in the school band. It was a requirement to take music class and select one instrument in the ensemble to learn. At 10-years-old in an age of pre-social media, and even limited internet, it seemed very easy to find where I go to rent a saxophone for the school year. When I switched to drums the next year, that was even easier.
Either by word of mouth or by personal experience, you would select a local music store to go to and rent the instrument. Depending upon which horn, strings, or brass piece you opted for, it also steered you in the direction of a local music establishment that would hook you up. Not only where the rental prices for the year very reasonable, the staff would also take a few moments with you to show you how to put to take the instrument out of the case and put properly put it together. For the sax, you were given a box of extra reeds and taught how and when you replace them.
This past year, my son opted to learn the trumpet for his school requirement and setting him up was unfortunately challenging. Here is why.
Where Do We Go To Rent Musical Instruments For School?
There are seven Guitar Center stores left in the state of Massachusetts. None of them are in close proximity to my county. In addition, large chains like Guitar Center often have great package rentals for drums or electronic equipment, but finding a trumpet is not as accessible.
We had two choices. We buy a trumpet second-hand from a Facebook market or local Craigslist type of deal. Or we buy one from a family in town that no longer needs theirs and is willing or looking to give it up. None of these options are dropped in your lap and both require some time and effort. Then, the questions become, do we really know what we are getting, and what other items (like cleaner or mouthpiece) do we need to buy separately.
That leads to the next point. Programs often suggest a rental pre-owned option given you don’t know if the kid will stick with the given instrument. It may lead them to being interested in another part of the band. Purchasing an instrument outright can be quite expensive. So, many folks like to be sure it will be of interest and pursued before committing to owning one.
There are a handful of private entities like David French Music or Music & Arts in Newton that do still offer limited rental. You just may have to drive a far distance as opposed to the next town over. The point is that nowadays, it’s not just a quick trip or errand to run, preparing for a kid to take music in school.
Though there are points made here providing information and suggesting ideas, another main point is genuinely asking – where do you go to secure the musical instrument you kid needs for school?
