Instrumental rental

[Anonymous]

School sent a flyer home that kid needs a musical instrument (violin) for lesson the coming week. It mentions that we can do free rental through school (limited only) or through outside vendors. Kid is in 4th grade, how many violins do each school have for rental? I assume not that many, and how much is that for violin & related supplies for the whole school year if I pay?

[Anonymous]

We are not going to be able to tell you how many violins your unnamed school has for rent. That is something you need to ask the teacher.

My 4th grader received a list of instrumental rental stores from her elementary school so we called around and rented.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford it, I would rent from Potters Violins. Do not get the cheapest option — at least go for the medium-quality one. It will make a huge difference not only for your kid, but for you — presuming your kid practices, it will be especially painful at first with an inexpensive violin. The violin is not a forgiving instrument, and the ability to play woth clear tone will take time.

[Anonymous]

Chuck Levin’s in Wheaton is good-much cheaper than the Bethesda options and good customer service. We’ve rented string instruments for two kids there as they into larger sized instruments each year.

[Anonymous]

They often do not have enough and then the kids have to share / take turns.

If you rent one, you can stipulate that only your child is authorized to use it (a little bit mean, but helps your kid out)

House of Musical Traditions - plenty of rentals

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thank you for suggestions. I will do the rental at outside vendor. They say $25/month for violin rental and additional $5/month for protection plan(optional). Should I do the $5/month protection plan , do I need that? And the sheet lists that I need to get shoulder rest, fine tuners, spare strings, and folding metal music stand. I don't think they are included as part of rental, do you get all of them or they are optional to buy? Amazon?

[Anonymous]

Potter's violin in Takoma Park is by far the best luthier for strings students in MD. Fox provides a similar level of service in NoVa.

I believe we pay about $65 (?) monthly for renting the "premium" level for my daughter at Potter's. They are excellent at sizing fractionals and giving all kinds of advice, and will do string changes on the spot, but bow rehairs can take a week. If you want a 24hr turnaround on rehairs, you can go to Weaver's in Bethesda.

We've been renting violins at Potter's for years because DD's elementary, middle and high schools generally reserve their violins for families who can't afford to rent elsewhere; and because we want to avoid bringing her expensive, professional grade violin to her high school (she brings her own violin to her private lessons and to concerts, recitals and auditions).

[Anonymous]

We pay $42 a month, including the damage waiver, through House of Musical Traditions but the instrument comes from NEMC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thank you for suggestions. I will do the rental at outside vendor. They say $25/month for violin rental and additional $5/month for protection plan(optional). Should I do the $5/month protection plan , do I need that? And the sheet lists that I need to get shoulder rest, fine tuners, spare strings, and folding metal music stand. I don't think they are included as part of rental, do you get all of them or they are optional to buy? Amazon?

Depends what the plan covers, but know that young kids in school abuse their violins TERRIBLY. Potter's for a while hung a crushed violin on their wall to remind parents what happens in schools - someone had stepped on it

You need to get help finding the right height and size of shoulder rest. My kid skipped using one for many years, because she had a very short neck, so a shoulder rest threw off her posture. You can buy a set of spare strings, merely to present to the teacher if one breaks, so they can do the switch. It will be years before you or your child can change a string safely. Usually 4 fine tuners (one on each string) come with kids' rentals, but double-check. Stands are the bane of all musicians' existence! Pay extra for a sturdy one! Amazon is fine for the stand, but you'll need to try on shoulder rests at the luthier's, and the strings too, at least until you know what's recommended for her violin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thank you for suggestions. I will do the rental at outside vendor. They say $25/month for violin rental and additional $5/month for protection plan(optional). Should I do the $5/month protection plan , do I need that? And the sheet lists that I need to get shoulder rest, fine tuners, spare strings, and folding metal music stand. I don't think they are included as part of rental, do you get all of them or they are optional to buy? Amazon?

You definitely want the protection plan. Even if your child is careful, other kids around her might not be. You do need a shoulder rest and rosin. Tuners are part of the violin, and you can deal with spare strings if your child sticks with it, and it gets worn to the point where it needs to be changed. You need a music stand but it doesn't need to be fancy. The shoulder rest, rosin, and stand should cost you around $50 bucks total.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thank you for suggestions. I will do the rental at outside vendor. They say $25/month for violin rental and additional $5/month for protection plan(optional). Should I do the $5/month protection plan , do I need that? And the sheet lists that I need to get shoulder rest, fine tuners, spare strings, and folding metal music stand. I don't think they are included as part of rental, do you get all of them or they are optional to buy? Amazon?

You definitely want the protection plan. Even if your child is careful, other kids around her might not be. You do need a shoulder rest and rosin. Tuners are part of the violin, and you can deal with spare strings if your child sticks with it, and it gets worn to the point where it needs to be changed. You need a music stand but it doesn't need to be fancy. The shoulder rest, rosin, and stand should cost you around $50 bucks total.

Op here. Great, I will take the protection plan just on the safe side. Should I get all other supplies through the music store for the hassle (hope they don't charge me double the online price of similar product) or just order myself through Amazon for direct shipping. Violin is out first musical instrument to learn, so I know nothing much about it. We will use Potters to go with the basic one violin since we are beginner.

[Anonymous]

My son plays the violin and we’ve gone through the rental route for about 4 years now. We usually go through the store for the supplies. Supports a local business and you can get help with any questions. Right now, rosin is what you’d need to get started. Also, the teacher is a great source about shoulder rests, etc. We’re working with Lashof Violins in Gaithersburg, and they’ve been great at pricing and advice

[Anonymous]

The school rentals are for FARMS kids and are usually low quality. MCPS gives vents on the dollar per student for instrument maintenance. Get your kid a violin for $25/month from Lashof in Gaithersburg. The fee includes switching up to a larger instrument as your kid grows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thank you for suggestions. I will do the rental at outside vendor. They say $25/month for violin rental and additional $5/month for protection plan(optional). Should I do the $5/month protection plan , do I need that? And the sheet lists that I need to get shoulder rest, fine tuners, spare strings, and folding metal music stand. I don't think they are included as part of rental, do you get all of them or they are optional to buy? Amazon?

You definitely want the protection plan. Even if your child is careful, other kids around her might not be. You do need a shoulder rest and rosin. Tuners are part of the violin, and you can deal with spare strings if your child sticks with it, and it gets worn to the point where it needs to be changed. You need a music stand but it doesn't need to be fancy. The shoulder rest, rosin, and stand should cost you around $50 bucks total.

Op here. Great, I will take the protection plan just on the safe side. Should I get all other supplies through the music store for the hassle (hope they don't charge me double the online price of similar product) or just order myself through Amazon for direct shipping. Violin is out first musical instrument to learn, so I know nothing much about it. We will use Potters to go with the basic one violin since we are beginner.

Not a fan of Potters, but get your first batch of supplies with the violin rental. Refill as needed with the same brand from Amazon

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can afford it, I would rent from Potters Violins. Do not get the cheapest option — at least go for the medium-quality one. It will make a huge difference not only for your kid, but for you — presuming your kid practices, it will be especially painful at first with an inexpensive violin. The violin is not a forgiving instrument, and the ability to play woth clear tone will take time.

Would not recommend Potters. THE WORST for rentals. Had a horrible experience a few years ago where I was charged an exorbitant amount of money for slight wear and tear on a cello rental. Go to Foxes. Way better and much more reasonable than Potters.