A TVS Blog Post by Brandon Godman
We are frequently asked the question, “I want to learn to play the violin, should I rent or buy my first instrument?” You will notice that the answer to most questions about instruments, bows, and learning to play them is, “It depends.” Let’s first examine the two options, then we will outline what might be the best option for a particular player.
When purchasing an instrument and bow, you have the ability to define your price range, play everything in the shop, and find the perfect match for you. Being the owner, you are in charge of the maintenance and care of your instrument and bow. When purchasing from The Violin Shop, and our associates, you will be covered under our warranty program, and will have the ability to take advantage of our trade-in program in the future.
When renting, you will receive an instrument, bow, case (or cello bag), and rosin with your rental. All regular maintenance is taken care of by The Violin Shop at no cost to the renter, and an insurance program is offered to allow you to rent “worry free” of all damage, so long as the instrument is returned to us. When choosing the instrument, your options are limited to what we have available at that moment. When it’s time to move up to the next size, it is hassle free and no charge to do so. One of the best perks of our rental program is 100% of your rental payments are accrued to an equity account. When you decide to purchase an instrument, you can apply equity to up to 50% of your purchase. If you decide playing an instrument is not the right fit for you, you can return it and end the contract with no questions asked.
Now for the players. If the new player is a kiddo who needs a fractional sized instrument, then we generally always recommend renting. The benefits are outlined above, and can be summarized with the word “easy”. Renting an instrument gets the player on the right track with the right equipment, while also accruing equity to be applied to a purchase down the road. If a player starts out on a 1/4 size or smaller, we usually recommend you start considering a purchase around a ½ or ¾ size, as the skill level will start exceeding that of a rental instrument.
For adult beginners, it really all depends on your commitment, personality, and financial situation. If you are just curious if you’ll take to playing, renting is really the way to go. We often hear, “I know I won’t commit if I don’t have a stake in the game.” We completely understand this, and can definitely recommend an outfit that will be suitable for the beginning of your journey. Lastly, some folks just like to know they are investing in quality, even if they are just starting out. All instruments and bows at The Violin Shop are curated and adjusted to strict shop standards. We are happy to discuss what may be a good investment and how it may serve you in the future as you grow into it.
In the end, whether you rent or buy is your personal choice. What’s most exciting is that you’re starting a journey that will last a lifetime, and we will be here to help out at every step!
Brandon is the owner of The Violin Shop and The Fiddle Mercantile. He has been a self-proclaimed fiddle geek since he started playing at age 10.