How to Find a Musical Instrument
Wanting to play music is great, but if you don’t have any instruments already lying around your house, it can be hard to find a quality instrument to learn on. If you’re wondering what your options are, read on to learn how to get a musical instrument.
Free or almost free instruments
Use the one you already have! We all possess one instrument from birth, which is our singing voice! Learning to sing correctly in a way that maximizes your potential is a wonderful way to study music and increase your confidence.
Ask around. Ask family or friends, or post on social media asking if anyone has an instrument they no longer use. They might be able to give it to you for free or sell it to you at a reasonable price. These instruments may need to be serviced to be ready to play, or you might need some new supplies to have everything you need. However, paying for a tune up is a lot more affordable than buying an instrument outright or paying a monthly rental fee. Even if you can’t find an instrument this way, you may still be able to find an instrument to borrow or use on a regular basis. A lot of beginning musicians have learned to play on a church drum set or on someone else’s piano. If there’s a will, there’s a way.
Rent an instrument
Rent, or rent to own from a local musical instrument rental store. Renting can be a great way to spend some time with an instrument and make sure you want to invest in purchasing one. It’s also great for growing kids who use smaller sizes and upgrade as they grow. We recommend our friends and locally-based supporters at Meyer Music for their excellent selection and knowledgeable staff. They have four locations where you can go in and try out instruments to make your selection. They will also offer you any accessories you need to go with your instrument and provide repairs and service as needed.
Rent, or rent to own from an online instrument rental service. While you don’t get to try online instrument rentals in-person before you buy, you can find some great deals and customer service options via online rent and rent-to-own services like RentMyInstrument.com. If you know for sure what instrument you’re interested in, or if you live in a remote area, this can be a good option. RentMyInstrument.com offers free shipping on rentals, purchases, and repairs.
Buy a new or used instrument
Purchase a new or used instrument from a local music store. Purchasing from a local music store allows you to go in and put your hands on something before you buy. This is always a great choice and again, we recommend our supporters at Meyer Music with four locations in Southwest Michigan for their excellent selection and knowledgeable staff. If it’s a piano you’re after, we wholeheartedly recommend our friend Jessica Hastings at Hastings Piano Services. She has an incredible selection of used and refurbished pianos at a range of prices and also assists with moving and tuning.
Search online for new and used instruments for sale. Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Amazon and Ebay all have used and new instruments for sale. But, how to be sure what to buy? Just email hello@kalamazoomusicschool.com and we will help you find the right instrument for your age, ability level, and budget so you don’t end up with a “lemon.” Stores like Sweetwater Sound, or Woodwind and Brasswind also have some refurbished used instruments and in some cases, you’ll benefit from their expertise in selecting an option. If you want even more online options, you can check out sites dedicated to music instrument resale such as Music Go Round and Reverb.