Buy the best instrument you can possibly afford

In an ideal world, all beginners would start on the best instrument that money can buy. But for most, that is not possible. My advise is to get the best that you can afford. Instruments are like most things - the more you spend, the better they get. By playing a quality instrument you will greatly improve as a musician and have a whole lot more FUN along the way!

Why buy a quality instrument?

1. They go better - The better the instrument, the better the sound, the easier it is to play. As a result it is going to be more satisfying and enjoyable for the player (and the listener). The more enjoyable it is, the more you will play it. The more you play it, the better you get. The better you get the more satisfying it becomes- thereby setting up a virtuous cycle.

2. They last longer – a quality instrument will last a lifetime and will require less maintenance along the way.

3. What makes a quality instrument better than cheaper ones?
· Better design
· Better materials
· Better manufacturing
· Better tuning (very important)
· Better feel under the fingers (ergonomics)
· More efficient tone production – that is, for the same amount of energy, a better sound is produced
· Less servicing required
· Far more enjoyable to play and listen to
· They hold their value more than a cheap instrument

There really is no comparison between a “cheap” instrument and a quality instrument. The old saying applies – “ You get what you pay for”

There are 3 levels or models of instruments

· Student – for the beginner player
· Semi Professional – for the intermediate player
· Professional – advanced to professional player

New versus Used

The main difference between a new and used woodwind instrument is the condition of the pads (pads seal the holes on the instrument). The newer the pads, the more effective they are but having said that, pads maintain their effectiveness for years. If an instrument is treated with care, they will last a long time. (This only applies to quality instruments – cheap ones just don’t last, the older they are the worse they get).

The major advantage of a used instrument over a new one, is price. The price differential between new and used can save you 100’s to 1000’s of dollars. By buying a used instrument you will be saving money, and still have a great instrument.

Pitfalls of buying a used instrument

There are still many pitfalls for the unsuspecting buyer - the following is a list of things to look out for -

1. Pads –the pads must be in good condition, if not the servicing costs can be hundreds of dollars (sometimes well over a $1000).
2. Pad regulation –the pads must be sealing the toneholes accurately.
3. Condition of the corks.
4. Body condition.
5. Worn pivot joints.
6. Sloppy tenon joints

It takes a trained eye to identify many of these problems and evaluate the repair costs. Unless you can pick these faults, it is always advisable to purchase an instrument from a reputable instrument retailer offering a guarantee. If you get it wrong, it can easily cost a small fortune to repair an instrument.

“It’s cheaper to spend more money”

In my opinion, it is cheaper to spend more money! The more “expensive” instruments are far better value than the “cheaper” ones. So if you can, always go for the quality brands, you won’t regret it.

As I mentioned early, in an ideal world, all students would start on the best instrument that money can buy. A beginner benefits greatly when playing a professional instrument. The better the instrument, the easier the whole learning process is. The easier it is, the more satisfying it is. The more satisfying it is, the more it will be played, hereby creating a virtuous cycle.

What is the difference between the brands?

Using an analogy with cars, the difference between brands can be explained. All cars are essentially the same. They all have a steering wheel, doors, a motor, wheels and need a good driver. But not all cars are the same quality, they differ between different brands and models. Instruments are much the same, they all have the same basic design, but vary greatly in quality and all need a good driver! Like cars there is a substantial difference between the “cheap” brands and the quality brands.

The best brands

From more than 20 years teaching experience, I have found the following brands to be the best.

For Sax – Yamaha, Yanagisawa, Keilwerth, Selmer (Paris), Buffet (Paris)

For Clarinet – Yamaha, Buffet (Paris), Selmer (Paris), Leblanc,
Peter Eaton, Howarth, Noblet

For Flute – Yamaha, Buffet, Pearl, Sankyo, Muramatsu

A common myth

The best way to ensure that your child gives up - “I’ll start my child off on a cheap instrument to see if they like it.”

Playing on a “cheap” instrument is like learning to drive with the hand break on and 4 flat tyres! It just makes it a lot harder. As a parent, your role is to help your child reach their potential, the best way for them to achieve this, is to play on a quality instrument.