Need french horn help from music teachers.

[ranthony]

My DS will be starting band next fall in the 4th grade and has chosen the french horn. The rental cost for the year for the instrument will be near $400. I'm thinking it might be better to try to find a good used horn instead of renting. Of course I hope he will stick with it, but if he doesn't I could try to sell the horn and recoup some of the $$ and if he does stick with it we'd have the horn for the following years.

I've spoken with the music teacher briefly about this and she suggested I look for a french horn from Yamaha, Jupiter, King or Blessing. We've also spoken about maintenance and she feels that even if the horn did need some repair during the year it probably wouldn't be anything too expensive. I've seen some for sale on e-bay for about the cost of the yearly rental. I've also seen some from Conn...are those good horns? Which brands should I avoid and what else should I consider? TIA

 

[princessmom29]

Not a music teacher, but a former band nerd. French horns are one of the more expensive brass instruments. Easily $1000 plus for a quality used concert instrument I would think, unless you happened to know someone getting rid of one.

 

[ranthony]

Wow! His music teacher did say they are very expensive and difficult to learn. Would something like this not be appropriate for a 4th grader just starting out?

http://cgi.ebay.com/KING-SINGLE-FRE...7352?pt=Brass_Instruments&hash=item564420f268

 

[Tinijocaro]

I would send the teacher the link-even within the specific brands she listed, there are good models and not so good models.

General info for parents wondering about buying an instrument:

When the music teacher gives you specific brands, please purchase one of those brands and check the specific model with the teacher. Buying off-brand instruments on ebay or anywhere will only cause your child frustration, yourself expensive repairs on an inferior instrument, and make the teacher think you as a parent are not very smart.

I teach strings and you would not believe the crap people buy on ebay. Then when I tell them the instrument will need repairs, they don't get it. "But it's brand new" I say, "But you bought an inferior instrument". One reputable online store warns parents not to buy VSO's. A VSO is a "violin-shaped object." Just because it looks like a violin, doesn't mean that it is actually something you should give your child to learn on.

Can you tell this is a pet-peeve of mine?

 

[OhMari]

The French horn you found is for a person that starts out. Within 2 or 3 years your son will want a double French horn. The double is easier to play and you can play your high and low notes better.

the French horn is very hard to play. think of a bugler. You have to do the work for each note. It is really sad that rental from the schools is getting so expensive, but I'm sure schools have to make it up somehow.

 

[Tinijocaro]

I'm guessing the rental cost is from a music store, at least I sure hope so!

 

[ranthony]

I teach strings and you would not believe the crap people buy on ebay. Then when I tell them the instrument will need repairs, they don't get it. "But it's brand new" I say, "But you bought an inferior instrument". One reputable online store warns parents not to buy VSO's. A VSO is a "violin-shaped object." Just because it looks like a violin, doesn't mean that it is actually something you should give your child to learn on.

I do not want to make those mistakes. If the darn rental wasn't so expensive I would just rent...I'm sure it's easier for the teachers. If something goes wrong with the instument it just gets swapped out.

The French horn you found is for a person that starts out. Within 2 or 3 years your son will want a double French horn. The double is easier to play and you can play your high and low notes better.

The teacher did request just a single, not a double FH.

I know there are going to be kids that can't even afford to learn on the least expensive rental instuments like the flute or clarinet. It's sad really.

 

[princessmom29]

Wow! His music teacher did say they are very expensive and difficult to learn. Would something like this not be appropriate for a 4th grader just starting out?

http://cgi.ebay.com/KING-SINGLE-FRE...7352?pt=Brass_Instruments&hash=item564420f268

that instument was made in 1955. You might want to consier that, and what shape in migh t be in after all those years of use. It coiuld be well taken care of, but might not be. I personally would never buy a musical instrument that I couldn't put my hands on and try out before buying. YOu just don't know what you are getting.

 

[ranthony]

I'm guessing the rental cost is from a music store, at least I sure hope so!

Yes the school sent home all the paperwork last week about band and the contract for renting from the music store they work with. There were 3 levels of instument rental with the FH being in the most expensive bracket with the Baritone Horn and the Tenor Sax. The "introductory offer" for 5 months is $150 and then the monthly rate after that is $40. Add tax to all of this and for the year with we're close to $400. Then, they suggest you get the repair plan at $5 per month. So, you can see my dilemma.

 

[Tinijocaro]

I do not want to make those mistakes. If the darn rental wasn't so expensive I would just rent...I'm sure it's easier for the teachers. If something goes wrong with the instument it just gets swapped out.



The teacher did request just a single, not a double FH.

I know there are going to be kids that can't even afford to learn on the least expensive rental instuments like the flute or clarinet. It's sad really.

Those kids will get to use school owned instruments like the Tuba or String Bass!

 

[Katy Belle]

The band here won't put a kid that young on a Frech Horn. I think its 7 th grade, and they have to first show great promise on the trumpet or trombone. Two of my boys play the Tuba and we rent it from the school, I think its only $100 a year. $400 is a lot! We will be buying a tuba for college..ugh.

DS started on the trumpet and used DHs OLD trumpet from the 70s. The band director said instruments were better made back then. Maybe you could find an old one?

 

[ranthony]

Those kids will get to use school owned instruments like the Tuba or String Bass!

A freind of mine has a daughter in 4th this year who quit playing the flute in the winter. She was sent to spend the period with the other kids that didn't sign up for band (7 out of 86 kids). One of the little girls told her that her family couldn't afford the instument. They spent that period the whole year just waiting for their classmates to finish band.

 

[ranthony]

Two of my boys play the Tuba and we rent it from the school, I think its only $100 a year. $400 is a lot!

I didn't think the school owned intruments. They "partner' with a music shop which provides all the rentals and repairs with all costs assumed by the parents.

Maybe I should just rent the darn thing. I don't really know what to look for and it sounds like there might be a high attrition rate with this particular instrument KWIM?

 

[ranthony]

Do these prices seem high?

Here are the only choices.

Group A = Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, Percussion Kit (bells), Snare Drum , all around $200 per year.

Group B = Oboe, Alto Saxophone, around $300 per year.

Group C = French Horn, Baritone Sax, Tenor Sax, around $400 per year.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

When ds12 wanted to play the clarinet a few years ago. I didn't want to spend the $$ on the rental and purchased one of Craiglist for $60. Well after $150 in repairs DS12 decided he didn't want to play anymore. He went to band class but wouldn't practice at home. Now I have clarinet that sits in the case.

Now DS11 wanted to play the voilin this year. The music store has a 4 month trail period for $45ish. After the 4 month period rental was $40 which included the $8 insurance plan. Everything minus the insurance plan that we pay will go towards the purchase of a new instrument when DS is ready for a full size violin. He is very good at playing. The music instructor says he has to grow a few more inches to need the next size up (he is already over 5 ft tall).

I would recommend that you rent one from the music store for the trial period to see if he has an actual interest in it. I wish I did that the first time around w/ DS12.

 

[Rachie0507]

I play the horn. I wouldn't make that investment yet. I also have a kids, one plays clarinet and the other plays guitar. At their ages (11 and 9), I won't let them touch the horn! The horn is a very difficult instrument to learn. It can also be very finicky, mechanically speaking. If you rent for a year, you can rely on the technicians from rental company to service it. I don't play as regularly as I once did. When I do need to play, I have to have my horn serviced first. It usually costs between $150-$200. Maintenance is pretty costly. I am surprised that the music teacher is recommending a single. A double allows a better range and tone quality.

To answer your question though, I have a King and love it. Dents in the tubing can effect the tone quality, look for one as dent-free as possible. And I would look for a double, even if the teacher said it isn't necessary.

 

[piglet too]

You could check for other music rental stores in your area. My son's school works with a certain store, but we found our baritone rental someplace else for a lot less. It is still a great baritone (Yamaha) and the only difference comes down to the fact that we have to take the intrument oursleves to get repairs. If it was through the school, the store pickes up and delivers there.

 

[Kat77]

Not a music teacher, but a former band nerd. French horns are one of the more expensive brass instruments. Easily $1000 plus for a quality used concert instrument I would think, unless you happened to know someone getting rid of one.

I agree. You're not going to find anything worthwhile for less than $1000.

No one in our family plays french horn but we have purchased several instuments over the last 4 years. I dislike giving this advice to the mom of such a young band student but I would look into financing (rent to own?) a double horn if I could not drop a grand on used right now. The cost difference is only about $500-$800 (I know...only?!) and it would mean not having to buy another instument in a few years.

Our school supplies the more expensive instuments like french horns, euphoniums, tubas and kids pay a semester fee to use them. It's like $40-$80 dollars.

 

[ranthony]

I'm getting a bit concerned about his ability to learn this instrument. I'll never tell him that, but I wish he would have made a different choice.

I guess I should rent. I do think the music store offers to apply the cost of the first 18 months of rental toward purchase.

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Don't worry about your son learning the instrument-while the french horn, oboe and all the string instruments are among the hardest to learn, kids do it ALL THE TIME. Just be sure he practices a few times a week-with purpose, not just noodling around.

It's less about the instrument he chooses and more the effort he makes at home.