? for band people

bh2720

I thought we had some band/orchestra people on here (Flutecat, you still around?) and I need some info.

My sweet little niece has decided that she wants to play the great big baritone in band next year! My sister is freaking out because when she started looking at how much they cost they are more than $600. If the school has one available, she can rent it for $100 for the whole year, which is great, but the band teacher said that the odds of them having one are going to be slim next year. So far the one place that the band teacher recommended checking has a baritone for $30/month, but by the time the school year is over they would have spent in renting more than half the cost of just buying one.

My sister isn't convinced that my niece is going to stick with this forever, so she'd like to make her initial investment in the band pretty small. Any suggestions for a place to rent or buy a baritone at a super low price? 

annabear07

Yay for a a Brass player!! Sorry I just had to get that out! I don't have any experience with music shops in the area. However when I started there were a few different options for renting, there was rent to own, just renting, and purchasing. Perhaps you can find a place with the rent to own option so not all the money spent on renting goes to waste. Sorry I don't have more advice! Oh and the other option might be Craig's list where aspiring musicians that have lost interest might be selling their horns.

living_insanity

we have a baritone at our school.  I dont see how it is so popular the band teacher wouldnt be able to get her hands on one especially if she already knows someone wants to play.  frequently people in my school district post they need X instrument and are willing to trade to get it with another school.

 

renting to own is a good option.

 

also I think $600 is a really good price for a baritone!  I was thinking of a used store like music go round but even their baritone is about that much $. 

honestly my personal clarinet cost several thousand dollars so a few hundred for such a large brass instrument is actually a good deal.  

smacb

I joined the band in 6th grade in the 80's.  My parents bought me an alto sax for $600.  It was a rent to own deal.  I rented it for a month or so and when it was clear it was something I wanted to do, they bought it.  When I quit band in high school, my parents sold the sax for $600 through a classified ad.