Learning to play a musical instrument, whether as a child or an adult, can be a wonderful thing. It’s challenging, it’s exciting, and it can open up whole worlds of enjoyment and achievement. But it can also be expensive. Buying a good saxophone can set you back as much as $8,000. A cello, double that. That’s why instrument rental is a really good idea.

If you’re just starting out, it can be a great way to discover if your choice of instrument is really for you. If you’re an experienced player and trying to decide upon your first big instrument purchase, renting can help you really get to know which instrument maker and model suits your style.

But before you sign up to start renting a musical instrument, there are a few things that you need to consider.

7 Questions You Need to Ask Before Renting a Musical Instrument

How can I rent an instrument?

With an online supplier like Rent From Home, instrument rental is easy. You can either rent online or you can call us toll-free to discuss your options. Either way, we’ll help you to find the instrument you’re looking for. Once you’ve placed your order, we can ship it to you free of charge. Delivery times vary, according to where you are in the USA. If you live in Florida, you can even receive your instrument within one working day. Store pick-up is also available.

Can I choose the brand I rent?

Many instrument rental providers work on the assumption that renters have no preference. At Rent From Home, we know that people rent for all kinds of different reasons – parents testing a child’s commitment to a new hobby, pros needing to fill the gap while their own instrument is in for repair, a producer or artist looking for a specific sound for a specific project. This means that one size and one sound doesn’t fit all. And that’s why we make sure that our clients have the option to select from a wide range of professional brands.

Do I need to know what I’m looking for?

A good instrument supplier will help you to find what you need. We have many customers who come to us with very specific requests. They might want a Selmer oboe or a Jupiter clarinet, and we’ll happily oblige. But we have just as many customers who haven’t a single clue about what to look for or what they need from their instruments. And we’ll equally happily spend as much time as they need, helping to make sure that they find the instrument for them.

Can I upgrade later?

Absolutely. Whether you want to try a different make or an entirely different instrument, if you’re renting from Rent From Home, just let us know your needs and we’ll set the exchange in motion.

What happens if I damage the instrument?

It’s an incontrovertible fact of life that accidents happen. You can take as much care of an instrument as if it were a newborn baby, and yet still manage to dent it, crack it or snap off the mouthpiece. Especially if you happen to be a kid! Accidents happen. And any good rental instrument supplier will understand that. At Rent From Home, our Loss Damage Waiver Plus Maintenance Program (LDW) protects your rented instrument against theft or damage beyond repair. So, while we’d rather that you didn’t totally destroy our instruments, we’re not going to be too upset with you if you accidentally do.

What happens if I change my mind?

Every instrument rental specialist will have their own terms and conditions. But the beauty of renting is that you have the flexibility to change your mind. Rent From Home works on a month-to-month contract, with no minimum fees. So, if you play for a week and your choice of instrument doesn’t work for you, you simply need to send it back. If you don’t have a VIR Affiliated Retailer near you, we can arrange a free courier collection.

Are there any additional costs?

When you’re renting a musical instrument, all costs should be included in the rental contract. With rent From Home, you’re paying for the instrument, repairs, maintenance, and insurance against irreparable damage. This is all packed into one neat price plan, so everything is covered, and you don’t need to worry about any unexpected and unpleasant surprises.

Renting anything is often considered a compromise. But with musical instruments, renting can be the most sensible option. It gives you room to grow and change. It gives you chance to learn and experiment. And it takes away the worry and expense of ongoing maintenance and repairs. So, are you ready to rent from home? Check out our instrument list to get started.