
If your child has been playing for awhile now, you may be asking yourself if it's time to upgrade their instrument a higher quality one.
Many questions can arise when considering this:
is my child dedicated enough to warrant a better instrument?
am I holding my child back if I don't upgrade their instrument?
can I get an upgraded instrument at an affordable price?
what if my child quits soon after I make this purchase?
Over the years I've had many, many conversations with parents of private students regarding when to get their child a better musical instrument. I'll provide the same guidance here that I offer them, in hopes that it will help you navigate this question best for your own child.
Is my child dedicated enough to warrant a better instrument?
This is a legitimate question, and one I'm so glad many people ask. In my experience, it's best to upgrade an instrument when the student has shown enough dedication to warrant it.
Of course, their current instrument should always been in good working order; it shouldn't hold them back or be frustrating to play. (A piano on which middle C doesn't work will frustrate even the most enthusiastic young musician.)
But in my experience, it's best to upgrade once the student has demonstrated significant dedication AND their current instrument is preventing them from reaching the next level.
You and/or the music teacher can set the dedication parameters: perhaps they've committed a certain number of years to regular practice or reached a certain level in their studies. A private teacher or band director can help you determine when the upgrade is necessary for their development.
Am I holding my child back if I don't get them a better musical instrument?
The short answer is: no, but maybe yes.
I say "no" because, if your child's instrument is in good working order (even if it's a beginning one), they will continue to improve whether you upgrade or not.
HOWEVER, and this is a big however, it will eventually greatly influence how much progress they'll make improving their technique, tone quality, and expressiveness. Again, a band director or private instructor can help you know when they've reached the point that an upgrade is really a must.
Can I get an better musical instrument at an affordable price?
This is an easy one: definitely!
There are many online resources for purchasing instruments of all levels at very reasonable prices. (Approximately half of my piano, flute, and clarinet students purchased upgraded instruments online.)
Sites like Craigslist, Ebay, and Facebook Marketplace (to name a few) regularly list high quality instruments in excellent condition for sale. The prices are often 60-80% lower than you would spend on the same instrument new.
If you buy online, you'll need to be able to separate the good instrument deals from the bad. This means a little more leg-work and / or involving a private teacher or other instrument expert in the process. But the deals are so good it's worth the extra hassle.
And don't forget the option of renting. If you're hesitant to buy right away. consider checking with your area instrument shop about renting a higher quality instrument for a period of time.
What if my child quits soon after I make the purchase?
Those online resources I just mentioned? Those sites are also valuable if you need to unload an instrument that the student no longer needs.
If you purchased a new instrument, you will definitely sell it for less than you bought it for. Instruments are like cars: they decrease in value significantly the minute you "drive them off the lot."
But you can still recoup part of its value and know it's being played instead of collecting dust in the attic. If you purchased a used instrument and it's still in good condition, you can probably recoup much of the price you paid for it when you resell.
You can also ask your student's private teacher or band director to spread the word to other parents/students, or let fellow parents know you have an instrument to sell.
Buying your child a new instrument can be one of the most meaningful things you ever do for them. (I can still remember the absolute thrill it was when my parents bought me my first professional Buffet clarinet!) But knowing when (or if) to upgrade can be a bit tricky. I hope this information helps make the process a little easier and more enjoyable.
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