8th grade band instrument (flute) purchasing advice needed

[Mono~rail]

DD13 has been in band since 6th grade. Her instrument is clarinet, but with all her orthodontic devices, she is having a hard time with it. She tried her cousins flute and did fine with it. Now she wants us to buy her a flute. Towards the end of last school year we had bought her clarinet. Her step mom took her then asked us for half the money so we had no say so.

This time her step mom doesn't want to buy a flute or rent one either (she's aggravated with the instrument switching and rightly so). DD13 called me out of the blue today from the music store and expected me to pull $350 out of my rear end for the flute! While I had her on the phone I did a quick eBay search and found some for approx $100. DD13 said the salesman at the store said we shouldn't buy one from the internet because it will not have a warranty. His advice (according to DD13) was to find one at a pawn shop and bring it to the music store for them to "inspect" prior to purchasing it.

I don't want to spend a car payment on a new flute for 8th grade band. DD13 acts like she is in the New York Symphony Orchestra and needs an expensive flute ($350 is expensive for us).

I tried to rent one for $25/month but the store said I have to come in and fill out a credit app. SM wouldn't even pay the rental and let me pay her back. I'm just ready to pull my hair out right now!

Anybody have advice regarding buying junior high band instruments off eBay?

 

[jahexom]

My advice is: DON'T. Unless you know exactly what to look for, I would advise against it. I would talk to her band director and get recommendations, or go to a reputable music store. If she is not sure about staying with an instrument then rental may be the way to go. Good luck.

Jen

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I had good luck purchasing an alto clarinet for DD16 thru eBay. However, I was concerned that it would be unplayable, need extensive work or be just plain unusable. With eBay, you always take that chance.

Ask your DD's band director what makes and models he would recommend for beginners. Your DD does not need a top of the line flute but she should have a quality beginners' instrument. Cheaper instruments (like the ones that you see in the Penney's catalogue) will sound shrill and cheap.

Once you've educated yourself, go out and comparison shop. Call local music stores, check the local paper, and scour the internet. Find out what the "going rate" is for a new flute at several locations.

If you decide to go the eBay route, check the seller's feedback. Have they sold other band instruments or are they just trying to get some money out of a flute that they found tucked away in Grandma's attic? If they've sold other instruments, what kind of feedback are others leaving? Do they have a return policy? If they don't state one, ask.

Another thought: Would your DD be willing to sell that almost-new clarinet to help defray the cost of the flute? If not, I wouldn't be buying another instrument. Like you, I would be very reluctant to fork over the equivalent of a car payment in order to buy a second band instrument in less than 6 months. (DD16 actually paid for the alto clarinet herself, after spending 5 years playing my old Bb clarinet).

 

[Mono~rail]

Another thought: Would your DD be willing to sell that almost-new clarinet to help defray the cost of the flute? If not, I wouldn't be buying another instrument. Like you, I would be very reluctant to fork over the equivalent of a car payment in order to buy a second band instrument in less than 6 months. (DD16 actually paid for the alto clarinet herself, after spending 5 years playing my old Bb clarinet).

Step mom doesn't want to sell the clarinet. Dh says we need to do the $25/month rental because he (& SM) don't think she is going to stick with band through high school.

 

[DMRick]

My daughter bought a a "brand new" trumpet off ebay and it was a piece of junk. You are prob better off buying used from a music store, unless you know your brand names and how to do repairs.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I have to agree - do not buy an instrument off of ebay. We bought a violin off ebay that was a piece of junk.

Renting looks like the best option for you.

 

[Evil Queen]

Step mom doesn't want to sell the clarinet. Dh says we need to do the $25/month rental because he (& SM) don't think she is going to stick with band through high school.

I think you all have found the answer.

My son rented for 2 years (5th and 6th grade). I bought him a new inexpensive one in 7th grade. In high school for marching band, I bought a very nice expensive one. But he carried both of the bought ones to practice. As long as it didn't lightening storm they had to practice in the rain, and I hated replacing the pads all the time, so the cheaper one would be used on those days.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Talk to the band director - we just went through this in replacing daughter's clarient - I didn't want a real expensive one or a brand new one as she just plays the b flat clarient in marching band, and a bass clarient for symphontic band

She tested all of the used ones at the music store here - and out of all of them selected 3 for band director to check over - and we went with the one he said was the best for the dollar - though we did have to get a better mouthpiece for it.

Can the orthodontic device (s) be removed for band class? Daugther didn't have any trouble with the braces, but she does with her retainers

I would go with the rental option for now, most music stores have a rent to own policy, with your rental going to a purchase down the road

Good luck

 

[Mono~rail]

Can the orthodontic device (s) be removed for band class? Daugther didn't have any trouble with the braces, but she does with her retainers

I would go with the rental option for now, most music stores have a rent to own policy, with your rental going to a purchase down the road

Good luck

No, unfortunately for her, she has a Herbst device attached to her jaw teeth. It serves the purpose of 24/7 head gear. It and the braces will be removed Dec. 2007.

 

[PaulaSue]

I know nothing about music but I swear I saw them at Target last week (4 musical instruments total). Sorry I don't know prices or quality but HTHs.

 

[branv]

I guess I will be the dissenting opinion here. I would buy the flute used at Brook Mays, at a pawn store (making sure it has the finger holes, not the beginner's flute without) or on Ebay. If anything, print out some of the specs of the items you see on ebay, and talk to the band director about them. I had a decent flute when I was in band, in 1985 it cost $400, I was consistently 1st chair...and I still quit after 10th grade! In fact, of the friends I had in band, I made it the longest. Everyone else quit by 9th grade. Perhaps if she lasts the year, and actually shows some ability, I would test her commitment to the instrument by perhaps offering it as a Christmas gift NEXT Christmas.

Ironically, I STILL have my flute. I look at it every once in a while thinking what a doofus I was to give it up. All it needs is new pads and a new cork, I sometimes think about picking it up again Just think how many parents out there are left with their kids expensive instruments when they give it up. You won't necessarily end up with a junker by buying one of these used one.

Important warning though - it is better if you can buy a used flute your daughter can test out first. It sounds really weird, but one time while my flute was being repaired I tried to use one of the ones the band had. I swear to you, I couldn't make one normal sound out of it. I truly believe that no matter how "machine made" some instruments may be, sometimes there is just the "right" instrument for each person

 

[Lisa_M]

I bought my cello off ebay and got it for a great deal. It's not the best quality in the world, but it is great for what I use it for, leisurely playing. It is the kind of quality you would find in school instruments.

I don't know about flutes on Ebay, but you should be able to find one that is good for a good price on ebay. My advice is look at the seller's feedback and email people that have purchased flutes from that seller to get a little more information on the quality etc.

 

[branv]

I just had to post again to tell you what I noticed. After reading this post, out of curiousity I pulled out my old flute to see what model it was. I saw the exact same model for under $100 on ebay...the Armstrong 103. All I can say is that either they've come out with new ways to make flutes or mines depreciated (or my mother greatly exaggerated how much mine cost all those years ago). Either way, like I said before, from 6-10th grade I played this flute as 1st chair, top scores in solo and ensembles festivals. So my opinion is that if this flute worked for me, it would probably be fine for your daughter! Your only issue may be that you buy these flutes and find that the pads are worn out, etc. However, you may still save money if it needs minor repairs/polishing. Good luck!

 

[Mskanga]

I bought my daughter's flute on ebay , I got the specifics from the band director as to what to look for and I got one from ebay for $50 , brand new from a store going out of business. I knew I was taking a chance but I figured all I had to lose was $50. Four years later that flute is still going strong and is played in first chair too.

 

[ceecee]

Don't get one on Ebay. New pads and springs can cost up to $150.00 and you wounldn't know what it may need. I would rent one if it's only $25.00 a month to make sure she will stick with it. Although you could probably buy a used one for $150.00-200 good enough for her to start out with. Explain to her she gets a used or rental because of deciding to switch. Does her orthodontist say she can't play it? My girlfriend played clarinet with braces for 3 years.
I got my flute (a very nice one for my Christmas present in 8th grade (my 4th year of band). Before that I had a used one bought at a music store. How about used instruments from a music store??? I treated this flute with kid gloves and I still have it. DD has decided not to take band ( I thought I could give her lessons free and we have a good instrument once I trusted her enough).
Target does have them for $100.00 or so but they are not good. You would end up buying a better one later on anyway.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Former music teacher saying don't go eBay. For every successful sale, there are lots that aren't so fortunate. A pawn shop might be a good way to go, so you can see the condition of the pads and springs. When I was teaching, Bundy was a fairly decent beginner brand.

If you buy one outright and she winds up quitting in HS, you'll be able to resell (assuming that she takes care of it).

And don't buy Target. Starting an instrument can be challenging anyway, and buying a low-quality instrument will only impede her progress.

 

[mnasf]

Anybody have advice regarding buying junior high band instruments off eBay?[/QUOTE]


I researched good clarinet brands and models then bought a used one on Ebay. They had registration #s that you could look up on another website that told you when they were manufactured. I also went with someone with good feedback. My son's clarinet teacher thinks we have a great instrument. I just researched good student ones. Be careful about the brands, etc. I played the flute!

 

[Mono~rail]

Explain to her she gets a used or rental because of deciding to switch. Does her orthodontist say she can't play it? My girlfriend played clarinet with braces for 3 years.

Her braces aren't the problem with her playing the clarinet. It is the Herbst device on her upper and lower jaw teeth. She has a severe overbite and TMJ. This Herbst device is a rod on each side of her mouth that is attached to her upper and lower back teeth and it pulls her jaw into allignment. It is just something you would have to see inside her mouth to believe. She cries most every night because it hurts. She can barely open her mouth. The Herbst takes the place of regular headgear because she would have to wear it 24/7 to be effective. She would look like one of the headgear nerds from an 80's movie.

I guess I'm more lenient on her for switching because I don't feel like it is her fault. The band director is allowing her to "finger along" while the other kids play their instruments.

 

[frogmommy]

Hi-

I majored in music in college and play the flute. DH is a band director Try the classifieds or perhaps craigslist. There might be some local used deals as this is around the time when kids are deciding to drop band or sell their instruments to have a little cash for college. Also your band director may know of someone who is trying to sell. Please do not buy the brand new instruments from Target, Kmart, etc... not worth the money. Yamaha is a good brand. Geimindhart (sp?) used to be a decent brand if you can find one. You might actually find a decent deal at a pawn shop...it would be wise to go with someone who actually has experience playing though. Bundys are strictly starter instruments, and cheaper than the other instruments I named (for a reason).

I wouldn't bother having the student test the instrument out as some have suggested. This would be an excellent idea if she actually played, but since she's a beginner it wouldn't give you any useful information. I WOULD however take it to a local flute instructor to be inspected if possible. Band directors have very general information about each instrument, but unless they specialize in woodwinds they may not know exactly what to look for beyond brand names or very basic stuff.

 

[InstImpres]

I bought DD THREE flutes off ebay, have had 1 of them repaired twice and now rent from the music shop. This is all in under 2 years and we had a loner for 4 months, enough said!