Beginners Always Need High Quality Instruments
to Succeed in Their Music
In life, we all have
the ability to set priorities based upon our system of values. Accordingly, we
allocate our resources, including time, energy and money. If, for example, you
wanted to become the best possible golfer, you might take lessons, subscribe to
magazines, watch videos, and purchase a well-made set of clubs. The clubs alone
could cost you thousands of dollars, but you justify the expense because
high-quality equipment increases your chances of success and, consequently,
happiness.
Q: "What
does a quality instrument have to do with music education?
A: In a word, "Everything!"
Choosing the right
instrument will mean that money was well spent. It will also mean that
the student will get the most success and enjoyment from playing music.
Good quality equipment makes the development of a new skill much easier.
It doesn't matter whether the new challenge is learning to play golf or
a clarinet - the lower the quality of equipment being used, the more
difficult and frustrating the development of skills will be.
A musical instrument is an extension of the player. An instrument is a
very personal item because it virtually becomes part of the person
playing it. This is why the issue of quality is so important when
acquiring that first instrument. High-quality equipment will help any
level of learner improve, and it is especially important to the progress
of a beginner.
As with any other product on the market, musical instruments are not all
created equally. Quality standards vary from pure junk to very desirable
for the student. To the untrained eye, a toy or an imitation product
made off-shore in a third world country and sold as a "store-brand" may
look similar to a serious instrument, but in reality it is very
different. This is how some retailers mislead unsuspecting parents into
buying less expensive and inferior products. This is why parents should
arm themselves with knowledge when acquiring an instrument.
"If a
parent buys or rents the cheapest thing they can find, they will almost
be guaranteed not to have to spend money on music again."
The beginner's
task is the most difficult. Everything is new, and every step a
challenge. There are so many physical and mental tasks to master that
the last thing a beginner needs is problems with his or her equipment,
which can turn an already difficult process into a series of
insurmountable tasks. This is especially true in the case of
elementary-age students learning to play band instruments for the first
time. A poor quality instrument will only frustrate the beginner.
It will play out of tune, not produce notes properly, go out of
adjustment and have poor tone quality. These are all issues that
will contribute to a decrease in self-confidence and will result in a
loss of interest in playing. A young student will not have the
experience to know that his or her instrument is bad, they will simply
think that they are not good at music and will want to quit. Sadly, when
kids quit music, they usually quit for life!
"Parents
usually must be educated to the fact that choice of instrument for their
child can have a major influence on the child's success or failure."
John Whyte
(Chicago Area Music Educator)
Each year, many
students begin instrumental study with excitement and anticipation only
to be discouraged by the frustration of playing poorly made or
antiquated instruments that play badly and are incapable of producing a
characteristic sound, even when the student is doing everything
correctly. The list of potential problems inherent in low-grade band
instruments is virtually endless and certainly too long to detail in
this article.
"Quality should be your most important consideration when looking
for a band instrument."
Most parents feel intimidated by having to purchase something they feel
they know nothing about. The good news is that they do not have to
be experts at all. It's as simple as just buying quality.
As with any other product, a brand-name instrument, purchased from a
knowledgeable dealer, will automatically guarantee that you have made a
smart purchase by buying the right product. There are obvious steps
that can be taken in advance, though, to ensure that beginning band
students avoid the frustration and eventual failure that can result from
attempts to learn on unplayable instruments. Parents of prospective
music students should do the following:
- Learn about the
product on which you will be spending money. Call all of the stores that
deal with wind instruments in your area and ask as many questions as
possible. There is no such thing as a "dumb question".
- Do not spend
your money at a store simply because of the way it appears and happens
to be near-by and convenient. These factors have nothing to do with
quality of the instrument or expertise of the staff, and will not
necessarily produce the best value for your dollar.
Remember that
the company which supplies your school, may not be suitable for
your own personal needs as a private consumer.
Purchase only a
Brand-Name instrument made by a reputable instrument
manufacturer. Never buy a "No-Name" or "Store-Brand" product.
Buy from a
company that will be there for you after the sale and one that
provides a solid one-year unconditional warranty on
every instrument that they sell.
Do not commit
yourself too fast. Take your time and investigate all of
your options.
Be careful,
never buy an instrument from someone who doesn't know what they are
selling you.
Don't be
intimidated by musical instruments. It's amazing what you can learn in
one afternoon of investigation and shopping around using the
Yellow Pages.
At every
opportunity, parents should be encouraged to obtain the best student
instrument they can afford. Their children will thank them - musically -
every time they perform. Most importantly, music will stay with them for
the rest of their lives.
At Cinco Ranch Conservatory of Music, we take quality very
seriously. By selling only quality instruments, we ensure that the
student who starts off playing on an instrument from Cinco Ranch
Conservatory of Music will be playing music many years into the
future and, hopefully, become a return customer!
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