Instrument purchase

Students need a serviceable instrument on which to practise and progress. This is particularly the case if grade work is to be undertaken. Both flutes and pianos can br hired initially from music shops, rather than being bought outright.

FLUTES:While good quality instruments will cost more, the additional outlay is likely to be justified by more rapid progress.Second-hand instruments may be a good investment if they have been looked after. Advanced students who invest in a precious metal headjoint will find the resulting tonal enhancement more than justifies the outlay. 

PIANOS: Again, the second-hand market is well worth exploring, and quite decent pianos can be sometimes picked up for nothing on websites such as http://freecycle.org: all that needs to be paid for is carriage and (when the instrument has been in place for a few weeks) tuning.

While the ideal instrument for beginner pianists is an acoustic instrument with a balanced keyboard, many instruments begin on an electric keyboard (which, like the electric organ, can also be studied in its own right). Provided the instrument is touch-sensitice and has at least 61 keys (5 octaves) much good work for the early piano grades can be done on these.

While we do not have instruments for hire, we will be pleased to advise on their purchase, and to offer an opinion.