Student Beginner Musical Instrument Buying Guide for Parents & Carers

So your child has expressed interest in joining the school band - rejoice! Learning music has many proven benefits across language, maths, concentration and social skills, to name a few. 

You've jumped on Google, and after researching, you've realised this fantastic experience is costly! You need clarification on the range of prices in the market and are shocked to see how expensive some of these instruments, even beginner models, can be. You're still determining whether your child will enjoy playing and want to keep going, so naturally, you're looking for affordable options. Making the right choice is paramount, and we're here to help!

Buying a Used / Second-Hand Instrument

There are benefits to buying a second-hand instrument. The initial investment can be significantly lower, and you can obtain a higher quality brand or model for much less than the equivalent would cost new. However, whilst the price might look attractive at first, it is genuinely impossible to know the history of an instrument. Unlike a car, a musical instrument does not have a service manual, and a lot of necessary, regular maintenance is required to keep a musical instrument in top playing condition. There can be many hidden costs and unforeseen repairs which leads to dissapointment and frustration.  

Musical instruments, some more than others, are fragile and can be compromised quite easily. Some of the main concerns are incorrect storage, rough handling, and poor hygiene. Any instrument played by the mouth can suffer from bacterial growth when not stored and maintained correctly. Left uncared for, an instrument will start to degrade - resulting in poor pad condition, rot, degeneration of lubricants and mould. String instruments (guitar, violin etc.) require new strings every 3, 6 or 12 months, depending on how worn they have become. You can negate some of these risks by purchasing a quality brand, ensuring the instrument is still under warranty and buying from an authorised second-hand dealer. Used brass and woodwind instruments should always be serviced between players for hygiene and playability. We offer servicing and repairs for brass & woodwind, guitars, violins, cellos, ukuleles and most other string instruments. Visit our website or contact us for further information.

Hiring Musical Instruments from School

Many schools offer musical instrument rentals as part of their music program, an excellent option for young beginners when you're still determining if they will commit long-term. Renting from your school also allows you to move up a size or switch instruments without consequence. In addition, Mall Music supplies many quality instruments to local schools. If you're a local school looking for musical instruments get in touch with our education team. 

Rent-to-Buy with Studio 19 Rentals

Studio 19 is another excellent choice for beginners. Its rental program allows you to take home a brand-new instrument with low monthly payments without the uncompromising nature of regular finance offers. In addition, you can return studio 19 rentals after the minimum 6-month period. You can also apply to buy out the instrument at any time, a great option if your student shows continued interest. They also offer an optional Protection Plan that includes cover for accidental damage - which we regularly see amongst young student musicians.

Purchasing your Instrument Outright

The purchase of your first musical instrument is a memorable moment. Visiting a local specialist music store allows you to connect with someone knowledgeable, using them as your guide to select the instrument that best suits you. You'll have peace of mind that you've made a good investment, taking home a musical instrument your child will enjoy playing for years. In addition, many of our brands offer extended warranty for up to 5 years on band instruments. Finally, if you take care of your instrument, you can recoup the investment by reselling it or pass down to a younger sibling.

Mall Music has two physical Sydney stores, at Westfield Warringah Mall and Macquarie Centre. We are open seven days a week and on most public holidays. Talk to our team about your musical instrument needs, or browse our band & orchestral musical instrument range online.