Rent to own a musical instrument

[okeydokey]

My Dd is entering the middle school band. They tried out all the instruments and she decided she wants to play the Oboe. The school is having an instrument night on Monday and some local shops will be there to sell or rent instruments. I know they all do a rent to own program where after a certain number of months the instrument belongs to you. I can't seem to find the terms on the paperwork they sent home about interest. Do you generally pay interest of the rent to own programs. If so, it seems better just to buy one outright, since they do say they'll give a 20% discount that way.

In one way it makes sense to rent it at first to see if she really does like playing this particular instrument. I also see that they sell them on ebay, but I am leary of buying something of such a large value sight unseen, not that I even know what to look as for quality.

These kids keep costing more as the years go by, don't they!

 

[Skatermom23]

I suggest you rent an instrument for at least the first half of the year to see how she likes it. If you think it will be something that she will continue through HS, then look to buying one outright. I would not buy your rented instrument. Definitely do not buy one off of ebay. Stick to your local music store, woodwinds and brasswinds (online) or my favorite is Chuck Levins in Maryland. They have great prices on quality instruments and ship everywhere.

 

[okeydokey]

What's the downside of buying the one she is renting? I figure if we've paid 300 or so to rent, I would want that applied to the buy cost. Do you think the quality of the rentals is not as good? They also offer a repair/replace fee. Is this necessary?

Also, if you have recently bought an Oboe, what do they generally run?

 

[cvjw]

My DS wanted to play trumpet in the 6th grade band. We did the rent to own option, and I am so glad we did. He only lasted that one year in band. If we had bought a trumpet, instead of renting one, we would have lost even more money! His band teacher did not recommend the brand of trumpet that we were renting. She preferred a couple of different brands for serious trumpet players, saying they were better quality. We did not get to pick the brand of trumpet that we were renting. Another plus to renting was the repair clause. We had to use it a couple of times that year, and it was included in the rental agreement. It would have been a couple of hundred dollars, if we had to pay it.

 

[Jusacuz]

We are renting a saxophone and the best part for us has been the free repairs. If we had bought it outright, had we been able to afford it, the repairs would add up to a lot of money. My sister purchased a french horn for her son and he played it one year. Now she has a $2000+ instrument that she can't sell for nearly that price now.

Keep in mind, too, that as part of the band expense, reeds are also very costly. Even after two years, I gasp at the $30 or more that I spend on saxophone reeds every month or so. Granted my son is now playing three different types of saxophones, but it is something to think about when deciding on instrument purchasing.

 

[Skatermom23]

What's the downside of buying the one she is renting? I figure if we've paid 300 or so to rent, I would want that applied to the buy cost. Do you think the quality of the rentals is not as good? They also offer a repair/replace fee. Is this necessary?

Also, if you have recently bought an Oboe, what do they generally run?

The downside is that the instrument, generally, that you rent will be overpriced. You can get a much better quality instrument for a a great price and it will be brand new! The repairs are something to consider if you have a kid that doesn't take care of the instrument. Honestly, in all the years of my two teens owning instruments, the only repairs that have been done have been regular maintenance items. Most places have an initial three month trial that is dirt cheap. You will have a good idea after that if your kid is going to stick with it or not. As to the reeds....never buy them retail. I spend $30 a year, compared to a previous poster who spends that monthly. Look online and you will find sales and deals. Do not buy them from the local store...except in a pinch

 

[Cindy B]

My son has been an oboe player for about 5 years. There are a few things to know about the oboe-- it is very different than any other woodwind.

First, the reeds are much more expensive than clarinet/saxophone reeds. Sometimes your local music store will NOT carry oboe reeds and they may be difficult to find. Once you find them, know that you will pay anywhere from $7-25 PER REED! Clarinet reeds are about $5 for a Box of reeds, oboe reeds are sold individually. Once you get good, you can Make your own reeds but the supplies and time involved is too much for a novice.

Second, a starter oboe is a Selmer plastic. Don't go off on the rent to owns because the music store will try to get you to purchase a not so good oboe. Rent for the year, keep up with it. If your child is good, purchase your own outright.. because the tone and sound of a plastic oboe is very very different than a wood oboe. Wood oboes are expensive-- they are in the high four figures... some very good oboes can run about 10K! The Yamaha 441 is a great oboe that can last from middle school to high school (my sons has!)

An oboe is a beautiful instrument, but it is difficult to play. My son did not migrate from piano, saxophone or flute to the oboe like most students do. He went straight to the oboe and was quite good. The fingering and playing technique is very different than other instruments. If you don't get the breathing correct right away (umberschure-- i know I am spelling that wrong) you will break reeds right away!

If you rent, make sure that you ask about the pads and keys. My sons rental oboe F trill key (i think it was that one) was always loose. We wound up getting a new rental with better keys and pads.

 

[IluvKingLouis]

Semi professional violinist here

Contact local community orchestra's to see if any of their members have an old instrument lying around (I know I do). They might let you rent it, then buy it and they won't be looking for a huge mark up but rather will be thrilled to death to find a good home for there student instrument.

Most of the rent to own instruments are pretty poor, and nothing will dissuade a new music student quicker then trying to learn on an instrument that sounds awful.

 

[Stitch76]

My DD(10) is in 5th grade this year and just started beginning band. We went Monday for her to pick out her instrument. She decided on the trumpet. I had to drop $50 that night for a deposit and another $35 a month for the rental agreement (It's rent to own if I choose, but I was told that it retails for about $800, so we will be paying on it forever if she decides to stick with it). When I got home I looked up trumpets on e-bay and several were selling in the $100 -$200 range. What is the big difference in trumpets. She's only 10, she's just learning, I don't think she'll be playing professionally for quite a while. If she does she is super gifted and will make us rich anyway so we won't have to worry about the $$$$. For those who have been in this situation, would one of the cheaper trumpets do? Also, what is involved in the upkeep of a trumpet. I never played anything but the radio!

 

[SaraJayne]

With instruments, you get what you pay for. I started playing woodwinds in 5th grade and I'm so glad my parents invested in a good quality flute (Gemeinhardt) and didn't get me a cheap instrument.

My DS is renting a brass instrument for right now, because we wanted to see if he liked it and if he'd stick it out.

Per our rental agreement, only 12 months of rent are applied toward the purchase of a new trumpet (not the one we're renting).

Good quality instruments are expensive and are an investment.

 

[G's mommy]

My DS has played violin and saxophone and has quit both! Thankfully, we just rented. I would rent for the first year and see how it goes.

 

[dhcoffey]

You might also want to check with your local high school bands. My DD just started 6th grade and started band playing the flute. My oldest is in marching band and had a friend that switched from flute to sax, so she sold us her flute for $200.

Heather

 

[Cindy B]

You might also want to check with your local high school bands. My DD just started 6th grade and started band playing the flute. My oldest is in marching band and had a friend that switched from flute to sax, so she sold us her flute for $200.

Heather

The oboe is such an expensive or specialty instrument that many students don't have "extra" or "spare" instruments until you get to college or semi pro level. Oboes may be available online-- or from a former student but they are (in my experience) few and far between.

The oboe and bassoon are way different than many of the other woodwinds. Not many people have seen or heard or oboe let alone have an extra. Flutes, sax, clarinets are quite frankly a dime a dozen. Oboes are fairly rare and bassoons are very rare. Oboes and French Horns are pretty hard to come by in a general sense of band instruments.

 

[enchantingodin]

My DD(10) is in 5th grade this year and just started beginning band. We went Monday for her to pick out her instrument. She decided on the trumpet. I had to drop $50 that night for a deposit and another $35 a month for the rental agreement (It's rent to own if I choose, but I was told that it retails for about $800, so we will be paying on it forever if she decides to stick with it). When I got home I looked up trumpets on e-bay and several were selling in the $100 -$200 range. What is the big difference in trumpets. She's only 10, she's just learning, I don't think she'll be playing professionally for quite a while. If she does she is super gifted and will make us rich anyway so we won't have to worry about the $$$$. For those who have been in this situation, would one of the cheaper trumpets do? Also, what is involved in the upkeep of a trumpet. I never played anything but the radio!

NO!!!! A thousand times NO! Do NOT get an instrument off of ebay unless you know what you're doing. 9 times outta 10 those vial things won't even last you 6 months. HUGE waste of your time and money.

 

[enchantingodin]

Hi OP I'm a part time professional flutist who also worked at a music store in college for a year.

What Cindy_B has said is dead right on. Oboe is very difficult to play! And those that do usually come over from flute first. Because for the most part them have the same fingerings. Are you ready to pay for private lessons? Most oboest need them to get the correct embouchure. And the earlier the better. Because otherwise when she does go to lessons the teacher will have to undo any 'bad' habits. Not to mention since it IS such a difficult instrument she might quit from frustration if her band director is the typical male trumpet player who has no idea about woodwinds. It takes a lot of 'power' to play. I attempted a semester in college to learn one. I myself got frustrated and quit soon after.

I have to ask - who's idea was it for her to play the oboe anyway? Hers? Or the directors? Reason I ask is again most people don't start out there... In fact I would advise to you is to actually steer her away from oboe all together. But please don't misunderstand. Oboe is a beautiful instrument. It's just very difficult AND very expensive. So if you at all think this is just a passing phase for her, try to get her into flute first or maybe clarinet.

As for what kind to get her.... most people don't realize that instruments are kinda like cars. I'm not as sure with oboes but for flutes there are student, intermediate, and professional levels, and many brands there in. You really do get what you pay for. That being said - rental is kinda a necessary evil. You don't want to drop 3k on something she won't even use for a year. And really don't look at is as rent to own. Just look at is as rental. If she does get serious you'll want to get her a good instrument that will last her for at least 3-5 years.

Well I feel like I've rambled here and it's way past by bedtime. So if you have any questions - please feel free to ask. I'll try my best to answer them.

 

[Cindy B]

There are defnetely different types of oboes. A rental Selmer is a good start however an intermediate (like the 441 my son has) is quite costly. For example, my son outgrew the rental in less than a year. He got the 441 in 5th grade and his is now taking the same oboe to high school- 9th grade in September.

Oboe is NOT a marching band instrument--it is a symphony instrument. For example in my sons high school there are two large bands-- marching and symphonic. My son is in symphonic but will switch to the the small woodwind class later on next year (small class with a few oboes and a bassoon)

It is a beautiful instrument. You can learn the oboe "cold"-- my son did. He did not have sax, flute or piano background beforehand and did extremely well.

 

[PHXscuba]

We got lucky with our first band student -- he is playing my 25-year-old trumpet! Now DD is starting band and decided on the clarinet.

I saw many clarinets on Craigslist for $150 or so, and most of the ads said something like "my kid played it for one year and didn't want to any more." I didn't want to be one of those people in a year, plus I couldn't evaluate the quality myself (I would be better able to with a trumpet).

I figured rental for a school year would be about as much as buying one off Craigslist, but the benefits of renting would be: 1. if she decides to switch to another instrument it's easy, 2. the lack of repair costs (I have forked over $$$ for trumpet repairs the last 3 years!) 3. No instrument to sell if she doesn't keep playing 4. some residual rent-to-own value if she does continue.

There was a significant difference between the music stores in town, as much as $10 a month for a clarinet. If you have an option to rent from several, find out the monthly cost (with insurance), deductibles for repairs, how much goes toward rent-to-own credit, and if they give any discounts for paying in advance.

PHXscuba

 

[spaceacewannabe]

My DS wanted to play trumpet in the 6th grade band. We did the rent to own option, and I am so glad we did. He only lasted that one year in band. If we had bought a trumpet, instead of renting one, we would have lost even more money! His band teacher did not recommend the brand of trumpet that we were renting. She preferred a couple of different brands for serious trumpet players, saying they were better quality. We did not get to pick the brand of trumpet that we were renting. Another plus to renting was the repair clause. We had to use it a couple of times that year, and it was included in the rental agreement. It would have been a couple of hundred dollars, if we had to pay it.

I apologize that I haven't read the whole thread yet---but if the store is giving you an unacceptable brand (some do), you should be able to go in and tell them you would like to rent a ____ (probably Yamaha, Holton, Bach, Getzen...). If they don't carry an acceptable brand...then it's probably not a very good music store. We have one locally that will rent you the junky, cheap-o ones if you don't let them know it's not okay. It really depends on the reputability of the store. If they can't or won't rent you a brand that's okay with the direct, I would rent elsewhere. KWIM?

 

[TupperMom7]

I didn't read the other responses, but they have two rental companies come to our school for the musical instrument assembly. You can look at the instruments and sign up for renting them from those companies. The advantage is that we will pay $20 a month for 3 months and that way she can see if she likes the instrument. If she refuses to practice, hates the instrument, etc., then we are only out $60. If she likes it, we will probalby buy a used instrument on our own because the rent to own price is like $50+ a month for like the rest of our lives. Another advantage to renting them is that if anything happens to the instrument, the company supplies a loaner while the original is being fixed.

 

[KevinW]

I have to say no to the renting. Generally the rentals are lower quality instrument and or been used a lot. I know about the ebay horror stories, but if you do your homework on brands, levels and going prices, you can get a good deal. I bought my DD a Yamaha standard flute off ebay ($700 flute for $250) for a reasonable amount that just needed a tune up and some new pads. You need to be patient, look at photos, request addition photos and information if you have questions. Then after she got really good, I bought an intermediate Yamaha for her ($1000+ flute for $600). Again, almost perfect off ebay, just a minor pad tune-up required.

Now my other DD had picked up the standard flute and is playing. Money well spent IMO. Also, after they are done with them, it can go back on ebay to recoup $$

Also picked up a piccolo of ebay, but she doesnt use it as much because the school got a grant and has REALY nice ones! That one is going back on ebay soon, but again, nothing but a tune-up required.

Also, when you own an instrument for school, always get it inspected during the early summer so its ready to go for band camp!