Good Reasons to Rent:

• To "test the waters" and allow a low-stress trial period for the student
• Financial commitment is less up front

When to Rent?

Renting should definitely be considered by all beginning players. Rental instruments can be acquired from some retail music stores and from many public and private schools.

The advantages of renting are that the initial financial commitment and maintenance costs are less. When a student is just beginning musical studies, it is difficult to assess what his or her level of commitment will be or the student may be sure but the parents may have doubts. Physical, mental and emotional development, as well as the student-teacher relationship and family dynamics all contribute to a student's success with an instrument. Family circumstances or new interests may draw the student away from music and in other directions. If you rent on a month-by-month, quarterly or semester basis, there will be less stress if the student loses interest in music or decides to pursue a different instrument.

A disadvantage to renting is that many rental or rent-to-own instruments are of lower quality and have limited trade value. In addition, long-term use of a lower quality instrument may inhibit a student's development.

Good Reasons to Buy:

·      To acquire a better sounding, more responsive instrument

·      To reward commitment

·      To accelerate progress

·      To increase future options for "trading-up"

·      To develop a long-term relationship with a violin shop and workshop able to provide:

                        Proper set-up of instruments

                        Quality maintenance

                        Opportunities to trade-up in quality

                        Professional expertise, connections and educational referrals

When to Buy?

When the student is no longer a beginner and the parents and teacher agree that the student is committed to continued musical studies, it is wise to consider purchasing an instrument. A better quality instrument will often enable progress due to improved sound and ease of response, which tend to encourage more practice. Better sound will also enable increased depth of understanding on the part of the student and increased enjoyment for the family.

When you are ready to buy, find a reputable dealer.  (See Ms. McCarty for suggestions.)  A good dealer will offer a selection of instruments by different makers and understand the national and international markets. Look for a shop that provides information and guidance without pressure. There are shops that have a good trade-in policy and also have the ability to provide sound adjustments, maintenance and repair service for your instruments and bows. Ideally, find a shop that sells both to students and professionals. Find someone you can trust and work with throughout the course of the student's musical education and career.