| If you are considering buying a musical instrument, | | | | strings or is out of tune you may need to pay |
| no doubt you have been confronted with so | | | | someone to set it up for you which is an |
| much choice and information that your head is | | | | additional cost. When you purchase a new |
| swimming. Sales people will usually guide you to | | | | instrument from a reliable retailer the instrument |
| the most profitable product for them or sell you | | | | will be properly set up and in tune when you |
| on the many benefits of a product you may not | | | | purchase it and you can start playing it straight |
| be ready for. So how do you choose the best | | | | away. |
| musical instrument for your needs if you aren't an | | | | There are two ways to look at the quality issue. |
| expert? | | | | First, a good quality instrument will sound better |
| The first step toward purchasing a musical | | | | and consequently encourage a learner to stick |
| instrument is to assess your needs. What do you | | | | with lessons and practice. During the initial phases |
| want the instrument to do for you? How do you | | | | of learning, a student will be practicing scales and |
| want to use it? How experienced are you | | | | often boring pieces of music, which can be |
| currently? What is your track record with | | | | discouraging if played on a poor quality instrument. |
| purchasing and using musical instruments? Is the | | | | Second, an expensive instrument can be a waste |
| instrument for you or someone else? Will they still | | | | of money for a learner if they give up and do not |
| be using it in a year's time? In two year's time? | | | | continue with it. |
| Once you have evaluated your needs, begin to | | | | It should be said here that even inexpensive |
| research your alternatives. What are the | | | | instruments are often quite good and more than |
| differences between products and prices? Will an | | | | adequate for learners, however, they will not last |
| expensive product be necessary or can you gain | | | | long beyond the beginning phase and will need to |
| the same benefits with a lower priced product? | | | | be replaced. Nevertheless, your first instrument |
| Make a list of potential products and prices and | | | | will have done its job and you will be better able |
| then phone a number of teachers of that | | | | to choose your permanent instrument from |
| instrument and ask them for their | | | | experience and knowledge. |
| recommendations and if there are any products | | | | Once you have made these academic decisions, it |
| you should avoid, being careful to let them know | | | | is time to take a few different instruments for a |
| your current level of skill. | | | | trial run. Sit down in showrooms and play the |
| If you are purchasing for a child you will need to | | | | instruments. It doesn't matter whether or not you |
| remember that many instruments are sized for | | | | can really play and don't be embarrassed by what |
| the child's height or finger reach and will need to | | | | other people may think; you'll probably never see |
| be regularly replaced as the child grows. It would | | | | them again. An instrument needs to feel good as |
| be a waste of money to spend a great deal on | | | | you play it. You have to be comfortable and you |
| these training instruments unless your child is a | | | | have to like the sound. If you don't like your |
| virtuoso. | | | | instrument you won't play it. If you are purchasing |
| If you are a beginner, you may want to consider | | | | a guitar, violin, viola, cello or any other stringed |
| a lower cost instrument as an introduction to | | | | instrument make sure you can comfortably get |
| playing until you are confident you will continue | | | | your hand around the neck and reach the strings |
| and you are ready to benefit from a higher | | | | with your fingers. |
| quality instrument. However, if you would prefer a | | | | If you take the time to assess your needs, |
| higher quality instrument but don't want to spend | | | | research your options and try a number of |
| the money to buy it new, you can often | | | | instruments before you buy, you will find that you |
| purchase good quality instruments second hand as | | | | will be able to find a comfortable instrument with |
| many people purchase instruments and then don't | | | | a sound you like that is within your budget. |
| use them. However, if the instrument has broken | | | | |