Tips for Buying the Right Instrument this Holiday Season

With Black Friday sales looming and the winter holidays right around the corner, you might be thinking that now is the time to upgrade your child to a larger guitar, get your first 88-key electric piano, or invest in something new to start learning. To help you make the best decisions, our teachers have already put in their two cents!

Miss Jen – “For families looking to purchase a piano, there are two routes they could take: acoustic or electric. Acoustic pianos have the best action feel and sound, though they carry a higher price tag, require maintenance with regular tuning at least once a year, and generally take up more space. Before purchasing a new or pre-owned acoustic piano, talk with your teacher and check out a certified retailer like C.J.’s Pianos in Phoenixville, Jacobs Music in Ephrata, or Cunningham Piano Company in King of Prussia.

Electric pianos are a great option for newer players or those looking for something more budget-friendly. Electric pianos are generally slimmer and easier to move and students can practice anytime of the day with headphones. A keyboard “weighted keys” will have the closest feel to an acoustic instrument, and the closer you can get to a full 88-keys, the better. Good brands to look into are Yamaha, Casio, Kawai, Roland, and Korg. There are many brands of electric pianos, so it is always good to read reviews as well before purchasing anything!”

Mr. John – “When buying a new guitar, there are a few things to keep in mind! For most beginners, especially young ones, your best bet would be a classical guitar, with soft nylon strings and a wide neck to give them room to learn their chords and place their fingers. A 1/2 size Yamaha or Ibanez ($150 – $200) is usually perfect for someone age 6 – 10, though it is best to visit a retailer like George’s Music or Guitar Center to see one in person. Classical guitars are also essential for older students with more experience who want to get serious about classical or jazz technique, with brands like Cordoba, Yamaha, or Takamine ($250 – $500) offering great quality at a reasonable price.

Full-size electric guitars and acoustic guitars with steel strings are perfect for any student age 10 and up, and you can still find incredible tone for a great deal! While more advanced players should talk with their teachers about higher-end models, first-time buyers can find excellent tone and quality with acoustic models from Fender, Yamaha, and Ibanez as well as electric models from Epiphone, Squier, and Harley Benton all in the $150 – $250 price range! It’s always important to read reviews when purchasing online, and it’s always best to visit a retailer (mentioned above) for your child to see how the guitar feels and sounds.

To round out this end of the string family, there are also plenty of excellent deals out there for electric basses and ukuleles! Bass is an amazing instrument to get into that some students tend to overlook, but you can get grooving with a $150 – $250 bass from brands like Harley Benton, Squier, and Music Man that will look and sound great! To get into ukulele, one of the most popular instruments we’ve seen the last few years, you can’t go wrong with a Kala, with many models under $100! Happy strumming 🤘”

Mr. Art – “It’s always exciting to invest in a new drum kit, whether for a total beginner or a student who has had years of lessons! A family looking into their first kit can find great-quality options like a Pearl Roadshow Jr. 5-Piece Complete Drum Set or a Ludwig Questlove 4-Piece Pocket Kit for just $350, to name a few. An entry-level electronic drum set like the Alesis Nitro Max Mesh is perfect for quieter practicing and at about the same price!

More advanced players looking to upgrade to a higher-quality kit can stay in the $500 – $700 range with options like a Pearl Roadshow Complete 5-Piece Drum Set, a Tama Stagestar 5-Piece Complete Drum Set, or a PDP  by DW Encore Complete 5-Piece Drum Set. Don’t forget to include sound-management essentials like Vic Firth Drum Mutes or Moongel Resonance Pads to keep volume at a safe level!”

Miss Emily & Miss Esther – “When it comes to stringed instruments like violin, viola, or cello, renting is almost always the way to go, especially with younger students! Stringed instruments come in different sizes, based mainly on the length of a student’s arm, and most students outgrow their current size within two years before reaching a full-sized instrument, usually by the end of middle school. Once a student is ready for a full-sized instrument AND they have shown a real commitment to playing, talk to your teacher or a local luthier about buying one. Be sure to avoid non-string retailers like Amazon and Temu, even though they may be convenient, to be sure you buy the right quality instrument! Websites like sharmusic.com have plenty of excellent resources for making string purchases, and shops like David Michie Violins (Philly), Mount Airy Violins and Bows, Fegley Instruments (Reading), and Taylor’s Music (West Chester) are all great places to start looking.”

Miss Kelly – “When it comes to woodwind and brass instruments (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, etc) renting is ALWAYS the way to go for a new or young student. The range of prices available for professional-quality woodwind or brass instruments may surprise you, and renting helps keep pricing reasonable as students learn and grow. Renting from a retailer like George’s, Taylor’s, or Music and Arts allows your child to try and find the best fit for them, and some of these retailers included a rent-to-buy option. Once a student is more advanced, older, or otherwise committed to continuing their musical journey, I strongly recommend having a conversation with their teacher to best explore all your options. We are more than happy to help!”