The Dangers of Buying an Off-Brand Instrument:

Quality instruments are made from experienced craftsmen—they know the right materials in crafting them, the steps on how they are made, and have been making them for hundreds of years. You can't expect excellent quality and playability from an off-brand instrument because their makers use very cheap and low quality materials in their production.

Off-brand flutes and saxophones are often made with pot-metal (a metal commonly used in cheap jewelry) rather than silver alloys or brass. Off-brand clarinets are typically made of low-quality plastic and the keys are made of a soft pliable metal. Off-brand brass instruments are often constructed with the same soft metals that have a low melting point.

The Down-Low on Colored Instruments:

Colored instruments are everywhere! They seem fun and entertaining; however, the cheap colored lacquer has the potential to peel off of the poorly made materials. I have had students begin the year with a colored instrument and get so frustrated that their parents end up going to rent or buy a name-brand instrument later in the year. Unfortunately, if they had started the year with a name-brand instrument, they would have saved the money they spent on the original colorful instrument.

Repairs of Off-Brand Instruments:

Music stores are hesitant to fix off-brand instruments. The materials that are used in the instruments give repairmen a harder time when re-soldering the keys or valves. Also, the parts are often not available because they are made differently than most name brand instruments.

Where to Rent or Buy:

• Buy or rent instruments from a real music store. Consider renting to own - it costs less and you can pay on a monthly basis

• Purchase a used brand-name instrument that has been refurbished by a reputable dealer

• If you choose to buy an instrument online, buy the brands that are well known. If you find an instrument online, please send me a link so that I can take a look at the instrument

Examples of Quality/Name-Brand Band Instruments:

Bach, Yamaha, Conn, Holton, King, Selmer, Jupiter, Bundy, Vito, Gemeinhardt, Artley, Armstrong, Loree, Fox, LeBlanc, Buffet, Cannonball

And finally…

Buying or renting a band instrument is an investment. Although, off-brand prices seem very appealing and the pictures look almost the same as their brand name predecessors, please take the time to purchase or rent your child a quality instrument so that their band experience is as positive and successful as possible. Do not hesitate to contact me or even send me links to any instrument that you are considering purchasing!