So your child comes to you and says "Mom, Dad, guess what? I'm going to be in the band!" This may be the start of a lifelong journey and love of music for your child, but right now you're probably thinking "Oh no, what are we getting ourselves into..." It's OK - here at Anaheim Band, we completely understand what you're going through. We work closely with many of the teachers and band directors in Southern California, and understand what they expect and how school music programs work. Hopefully, our decades of experience assisting students and families just like yours will make your first steps into the world of school music just a bit easier.

First Step - Choosing an Instrument

First things first - your child needs to decide what instrument he or she is going to play. Sometimes this is very easy, as the student may have already chosen at school and committed to a specific instrument. However, if you haven't yet made a final decision about which instrument to play, here are some factors to consider:

Size of the instrument - smaller players may not be able to properly physically handle some larger instruments like saxophones or tubas, so a smaller instrument like a flute, clarinet, or trumpet may be a better place to start. Cost - consider both the up-front cost to get started as well as the long-term expense of any supplies or accessories needed throughout the school year (like reeds for saxes and clarinets). Sound - some students may be drawn to the bold, brassy sounds of a trumpet or trombone, while others may prefer the more melodious sounds of a flute or clarinet. Needs of the Band - some schools or teachers may limit how many students can play a particular instrument. They do this to keep the entire ensemble balanced, since it doesn't make sense for a group to have 30 saxophone players but only one trombone. If you can, have a conversation with the teacher to find out what instruments are needed, and which ones are overcrowded. What friends are playing - for some students, this can override almost all other factors. Remember, the most important thing is that your child ENJOY the instrument he or she chooses, so talk it over and try to come to a decision that everyone will be happy with for the rest of the school year.

Next Step - Getting the Instrument

So you've discussed it as a family and decided what to play. Now it's time to actually GET an instrument! Here are some of the ways you might make that happen, along with some pros and cons to consider:

Option	Pros	Cons
Rent	Low initial cost, easy to change to a different instrument, repairs included (if rented from Anaheim Band, at least)	Can be the most expensive choice if done for a long time, credit approval process means not everyone will be able to rent
Buy New	New and shiny instrument makes student feel good, no worries about defective or dirty equipment, very affordable long term if the student stays with the instrument	Costs more up front, harder to change to a different instrument if the student loses interest, not all stores sell good quality equipment (not a problem at ABI!)
Buy Used	Can be very cost effective if you know what you're looking for and/or the seller is trustworthy	Can be MORE expensive than new if the instrument needs repairs, may inherit problems that can't be easily fixed, may be risky especially if buying online or sight unseen
Borrow from Friend or Family	A terrific option if available to you - often free, or perhaps some cost with minor repairs and adding accessories and supplies	Most people don't know anyone to borrow an instrument from, instrument might still need costly repairs (especially if the instrument has been in storage for many years)
Borrow from School	Another great option if available	Most schools have a very limited supply of instruments available, and when they do they may not be in top condition

We obviously hope that you'll consider acquiring your instrument from us here at Anaheim Band. Use the links along the top or side of the page to browse through our different categories, or click over to our buyer's guide for more things to consider when buying a student instrument.

If you do purchase a used instrument elsewhere, or are able to borrow something from a friend or family member, please feel free to bring the instrument in to ABI so that our repair technicians can evaluate it for you. Repair estimates are always free!

Future Steps - Private Lessons, Upgrading the Instrument, and Beyond

As your child progresses and begins to learn to play, you may want to consider private lessons. School band is a terrific way to get started, but with dozens of other students in the class chances are your own child won't get much individual attention from the instructor. A private music teacher can focus on your child's individual needs, reinforcing her strengths and correcting his weaknesses. ABI has a terrific on-site lesson studio, with professional teachers that know how to make students excel! A well-built student instrument that's properly maintained will last for many, many years. However, starter instruments are somewhat like bicycles with training wheels - a great way to learn, but sooner or later a player may outgrow the capabilities and need more advanced equipment. Here at Anaheim Band, we offer a large selection of upgrade instruments and accessories, so when your child is no longer a beginner and is ready to move up, come and see us to discuss the next step.

Additional Resources

We hope you'll use our website as a reference tool for planning your child's journey into music. In addition to all of our product categories and informational postings, we've collected some links that you may find useful for research.

We've also begun to assemble information about the various school music programs currently available in different districts around Southern California. Follow the links at the bottom of this page for more information about your specific program.

Remember, we're always ready to answer your questions or give advice. Feel free to call us (714-999-5015 or 800-540-4224), email us (sales@abimusic.com), or come see us in person.