Help

As musicians ourselves and parents of musicians we think learning to play an instrument is one of the most challenging but exciting thingst that you can do. However we appreciate that the first steps can be daunting especially when the costs seem to be mounting up and there seems to be a lot of new technical things to learn. So we would like to give you the information that we tell those that come into the shop and hope it helps. Of course if there are any other queries then just get in touch.

Advice for Parents
  1. One of the first things to remember is that it doesn’t have to cost as much as you think.
    • We have two purchase schemes in store that are aimed to lighten the blow of purchasing an instrument: ‘The Take It Away’ scheme and the ‘Assisted Purchase Scheme’. Both of these schemes are easy to setup and can be completed in-store at the time of your purchase.
    • Buying a good second hand instrument is far better than buying a cheap new one. For the same price a second hand instrument will often last as long with you as it did with the previous owner.
    • We offer a rental package where you pay £45-£75 to rent an instrument for 3 months after which you can buy any instrument with that amount deducted.
  2. It is better to get an instrument that suits your child than to buy one that costs more but may put them off playing in the long term.
  3. Find out what the continuing costs will be for the instrument you are investing in e.g. a sax or clarinet will need new reeds from time to time. Some instruments also need regular servicing and it is worth finding out how much it will cost and how regularly it needs doing.
  4. Tuition. Sometimes it can be really hard to track down a teacher for your child’s instrument. Find out from your school or even your local council whether they have a list of approved teachers and their working times. As a music store we have are always in touch with teachers wanting to give music tuition. So we have created an active database of local teachers whom we can put you in touch with; some of them even teach from our premises when we have space. We therefore have quite a comprehensive list which would be a good place to start looking.
  5. Buy some ear plugs - we even sell these!

Whatever you are struggling with please come and see us at the shop. Being musicians and parents of musicians ourselves we will try to help you as best we can.

Advice for Students

So you want to learn an instrument. Have you told your parents yet? Wait. Make sure you have all the facts first. And then they have no reason to say no!

First thing to tell them is “It doesn’t cost as much as you think”. There are very good second hand instruments ‘that you will be more than happy with’. Remember it is better to get a good second hand instrument than it is to get a bad new one which needs repairing all the time.

Secondly mention that there are two schemes to purchase instruments that make it cheaper and spreads the cost - mention the words ‘interest free!’. You can also rent instuments for a short time if you just want to try them.

You may also need to say something about how you will get a paper round or other job to help with the cost. (You don’t really have to do it you just have to show that you are willing.)

Thirdly tell them that you will practice every day. But tell them you will practice in the loft, or garage, so no one can hear you. You will be amazed at how much this will help.