PURCHASING AN INSTRUMENT

Purchasing your child's first instrument?

Giving your child the opportunity to participate in musical experiences is a wonderful gift that many parents want to give. Recent research consistently shows that participation in musical activities helps develop reasoning skills that apply in many other academic pursuits, in addition to just being fun!

Unfortunately, obtaining the required instrument can all too often be a difficult and costly experience for the parent. We would like to share some of our experience to help you avoid some of the most common problems that can arise.

First and foremost, there is nothing more frustrating for a music student or teacher than a musical instrument that does not work properly. Sometimes an instrument that seem to be a "good deal" turns out to have functional problems and can end up needing costly repairs, or worse - causing the student to quit in frustration. CAVEAT EMPTOR - let the buyer beware - certainly applies to purchasing any musical instrument. At Moore Music Company we service what we sell in our own repair shop (the only full-time band instrument repair facility in Guilford County), so you do not have to worry about getting a "lemon" from us.

Many parents suffer sticker-shock when they learn that new student-model band and orchestra instruments sell for $500 to $1500 today (depending on the particular instrument some may be even higher - Saxophones, for instance). Remember, these are not toys! The large "name brand" band instrument manufacturers - Yamaha and Selmer, for example - all make good quality instruments that meet or exceed the Music Educators National Conference minimum requirements. Orchestral string instruments from Glaesel, Knilling, Nagoya Suzuki, Meisel, as well as other smaller companies may be acceptable instruments for a beginning string player. Some music teachers may insist that you obtain a "name brand" instrument in an attempt to avoid some of the very serious problems that may occur with less well-known brands. At Moore Music Company, we guarantee that any instrument you obtain from us - new or used - will function properly and be of acceptable quality.

In many areas the school music programs for all the schools begin at approximately the same time of the year, usually at the start of the school year. During this busy season the best deals are usually the first to go in school supplies of all types, and musical instruments are no exception. Shop early if possible - you will likely have a better selection of instruments to choose from. June is not too early to start looking for an instrument for the fall semester if you know what you need. Moore Music Company is happy to reserve your child's instrument for up to 90 days in advance with just a small deposit, allowing you to AVOID THE RUSH!

Most musical instrument dealers offer a rent-to-own plan for school band and orchestra programs, and there may be good deals available on used instruments either at a dealer or from individuals. Some dealers may also offer a lease program, but leasing an instrument may be more expensive in the long run in many cases. The rent-to-own plans offer the advantage of allowing you to return the instrument and end your commitment should your child decide not to continue playing music, while still applying your payments toward the purchase of the instrument if your child does continue in the music program. Rent-to-own plans usually include maintenance and insurance to cover the instrument in case of loss or accidental damage, but some instrument dealers will quote their rental rates without including the fees for this important coverage. At Moore Music Company, we ALWAYS tell you the total rental rate per month including maintenance and insurance coverage. Some dealers may also offer early payoff options, which can save you money if you are confident that your child will continue to participate. At Moore Music Company we offer several early payoff options, including our unique 6 month "no interest, no fees" program. Please contact our band & orchestra department at (336) 274-4636 or e-mail us at info@mooremusiccompany.com for full details.

Should you decide to purchase an instrument for sale by owner, be sure to have it checked by a qualified person BEFORE you buy. Members of the National Association of Professional Band Instrument Repair Technicians (NAPBIRT), local musical instrument dealers, and school music instructors are good resources and may provide a quick evaluation of your potential purchase at little or no cost.

In some school districts musical instrument dealers have "full service" arrangements with the schools whereby the dealer comes to the school and provides the instruments for the parents to buy. While this is certainly convenient, such an arrangement does not always offer the best value. ALWAYS compare prices and contract terms with other dealers, and INSIST that you be allowed to obtain an instrument elsewhere if you are not offered competitive terms.

We hope that your child's musical experiences will be positive and fulfilling, and we at Moore Music Company are eager to help you accomplish these goals. Locally owned and operated, our philosophy of providing excellence in musical instrument sales and service has remained unchanged since 1939. Please feel free to contact us by phone or e-mail – or drop by our showroom at 615 West Market Street in Greensboro. We’ll be happy to answer all your questions.