Getting a Musical Instrument Without Spending a Fortune
Places to Buy Musical Instruments
Ebay
A new student clarinet costs more than $700 from musicarts.com, but you can get clarinets for less than $100 on Ebay. They have a whole section for musical instruments. If you want a better quality instrument, Ebay has those too. Professional clarinets can be purchased on Ebay for about half the price at musicarts.com. Ebay also has instruments that are harder to find in a regular music store, like harps, flugelhorns, or baritone saxophones. Because some people buy musical instruments and then decide that they are not interested in playing any more, you can get a good deal.
Renting
If you are sure that you want to play a musical instrument, renting is not the cheapest way to get a musical instrument, but the monthly price is often fairly reasonable. The monthly cost varies, from less than $10 a month to more than $20 a month, depending on what instrument you are trying to learn. After renting the instrument for a specified period of time, the instrument is usually yours. At the end of the rental term when you own the instrument, you might be able to trade up for a better instrument, if you pay more money. Renting is a good choice for children learning their first instrument, or for adults that are not sure what they want to play. If you know exactly what you want, you are probably better off saving for the instrument of your choice and buying it outright.
Craig's List
Another place that you can purchase musical instruments is off Craig's List. They have a special section for musical instruments as well, and it is not as organized as Ebay. The prices vary, so know the value of what you are trying to buy before you buy it. On my local Craig's List, there is currently a piano on sale for $300 or best offer, and an acoustic guitar for $100. One advantage of Craig's List over Ebay is that you can actually inspect the instrument before you buy it. If it is in bad shape, you can pass on the purchase. That's not as easy to do on Ebay, where you will probably make a long-distance transaction.
Other Places
Check with your family and friends, they might have a musical instrument that they don't want any more that they might be willing to give or sell to you. I acquired my clarinet from my dad. When I was a kid, someone stole it. We eventually found out who took it and got it back, but in the meantime, a friend of my dad's gave us another one. My grandpa also has a clarinet that he got when he was a kid. If you're really lucky, you might be able to find one on Freecycle. Ask around, and let people know that you are interested in getting a particular musical instrument. You might be surprised.
If you want to play a musical instrument but don't have a lot of money, you have options. Look around, and you might be able to get a good deal.
Published by Brooke Lorren
Brooke Lorren is a freelance content producer living in central Arizona; she has been writing for over 10 years and has created over 1000 articles, blog posts, and web sites. She has also helped her husband... View profile
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- New musical instruments can cost a lot, but you don't have to pay full price.
- Alternate ways to get instruments include Ebay, Craig's list, and renting.