Instrument Rental: Oregon

Band Instruments

M.U.S.E. has one of the best rental programs in the area for "band" Instruments!!

We will make these instruments available to rent starting in August. If you pre register your child for band you are automatically part of the "Jump Start Program". This entitles you to several opportunities in August where you can come and have your child try out and instrument and at the same time you can rent the instrument all in one trip! Weeven are going to offer a free introductory class on that same visit if choose. We will get the dates and times of these events out to you in the mail in July.

About the rental program.....

M.U.S.E. has quality student instruments, at very affordable prices. These instruments, if not new, look like new and make students feel proud to be playing such a good looking instrument. Many stores rent instruments that have been in currculation for a long time and look pretty ratty. In addition, our rental program applies 85% of rental payments toward purchase. You are not obligated to purchase and can stop renting at any time. Each instrument is covered by a damage waiver (no deductible) and by a fire and burglary waiver. NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. Any repairs are covered under your monthly payments-there is no extra charge for repair. For more information and pricing give us a call 1-800-233-6873

(for string instruments press this link): String rental

What Instrument to Choose?

The best recommendation we can make is to choose the instrument your child is excited about. If your child is not sure what to play, take your child to a local store to browse and have the store personnel help you. A common question asked by students and parents is " What is the easiest or hardest instrument to play?" The simple answer is practice. Each instrument has its' challenges but nothing too hard that cannot be overcome with practice.

How much of a time commitment should you plan for in terms of practicing?

Beginning band students should plan to practice 15-20 minutes a day, 3-5 days a week. Small amounts of focused practice time and consistency are the most important factors that will guarantee your child's success. The best thing you can do, whether you yourself have musical experience or not, is help your child set up a practice routine. You may even want to come up with some reward incentives for them. M.U.S.E. instructors do this with "Band Bucks" which are coupons that students can earn for practicing and doing well in class. Students redeem these coupons for special rewards. It is absolutely crucial for students to practice at home. Start structuring their practice sessions immediately. Learning an instrument really starts at home and is reinforced with weekly lessons. A child will not learn an instrument if they only play once a week in class.

Other Suggestions:

• Fold-up-wire-music stands are highly recommended and should be almost mandatory. Stands cost in range of $12-$15 and can be purchased at any music store or through M.U.S.E. Students need to have a good place to set their music while they practice. Laying music down on the bed or on a table creates bad posture and awkwardness in reading the music. Please consider the purchase of a music stand.

• Clarinet and saxophone students need to purchase a box of reeds. Reeds will chip and break over time. If students take care of their reeds(instructors will talk about this in class), a reed can last 2-4 weeks. A box of 10 reeds would be good to start with. Keep 2-3 reeds in the instrument case and leave the others at home. Rental instruments usually come with just one reed.

• Trumpet and Trombone players need valve oil/slide oil.

• Flute players usually have a cleaning rod in their cases when renting or purchasing an instrument. Just rap a cloth around the rod and push through flute after each playing session to get rid of moisture.

Drummers: Drum students need to rent a snare drum. In addition, drum students should have a set of tuned bells (mallet instrument that is usually 2 octaves and is similar to a Xylophone). M.U.S.E. rents drum/bell kits, all in one carry bag that has either wheels or shoulder straps. The cost of this kit is the same as a trumpet, clarinet, and flute(see NEMC Brochure).

The curriculum that M.U.S.E. has developed starts drummers on the bells for the first few months so they can learn how to read notes and melodies. The instruction book then introduces the snare drum, and by the end of the first year, students have the option to play either drums or tuned bells on any given song or exercise. We require that students have both the bells and drums.

Other places to rent instruments: (Click Here)