My opinion as a band director: The trouble with the cheap import instruments is that they produce a poor sound and are harder for the child to get right. And as someone previously stated, its too difficult and Becomes frustrating so they quit. We've had kids buy these $100 horns, damage them, and then our repair tech has to tell the parents that the horn is basically scrapped. You often can't repair them which ends up costing you more than if you'd gone with a reputable brand in the first place. Young children are very rough on horns. Check pawn shops and Craigslist for great used brands that will last: Conn Selmer, Yamaha, etc. Your director should be able to recommend a few great options. Most repairs that may be needed are minor. Good luck!

OP here.

My mom got her the Walmart one and I bought all the sheet music, reeds, cork grease and swab for $25 on amazon.
DD told the teacher that my mom was getting the one from Walmart and the teacher told her you can't buy instruments where you get underwear. Well, I had a friend who plays check it out today and it turns out it's a great instrument.

I also applied for free lunch so at least one kid can use it. The other, with the allergies to corn and soy, can't eat non grassfed beef, or chicken, or mass produced breads, ketchup... Everything has soy and corn so there is no way for the school to provide the meals that kid needs. They are the two most difficult allergies to have and luckily they won't kill him but he will have hours upon hours of explosive diarrhea. Before we knew about his allergies he had diarrhea for three weeks straight. Fresh fruits will close his throat but those are easily identifiable.

When I was a kid in FCPS we still had to rent or buy our instruments.

Just talk to the teacher, nicely. Explain your situation. I'm sure there's some way she can accomodate you. You sound a little combative against the teacher for no reason - she doesn't know your financial situation and I doubt she told your daughter to pay an expensive instrument just to spite you...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can find a cheap clarient in a pawn shop. I played sax and clarinet throughout grade school and in college. I got my first instruments from a cheap pawn shop. A clarinet is a pretty cheap instrument used. The only instruments my school provided were things like drums or the Tuba because those can be pretty expensive to purchase. A clarinet is actually one of the cheapest instruments you can get.

I wouldn't stress about getting a high end instrument, your daughter might be over music in a year. But if she is still into it and your finances improve then purchase her a quality instrument.

My concern with used, is if it needs tuning or the pads replaced, that can cost as much as the instrument.

Well if cost is that much of a problem you are just going to have to tell your child she cannot play, because playing in the band can be expensive overall. What if you have to buy sheet music, plus reeds which will be a must and need to be replaced constantly, and yes the pads will wear out regardless, not to mention you'll have to buy a mouthpiece which can be pretty expensive as well.

Find her a cheaper activity to join.

Don't use Dale music. The best is Chuck Levin's. They are cheaper too. http://chucklevins.com/

You might try asking your neighborhood list serve or church if any old kids have one they bought but no longer use. I got a $15 trombone that way. Yamaha, so a top brand

Put an ISO on your local Freecycle and see if you get any replies. I'm sure there are a bunch of ex-clarinet players out there who have instruments stashed around the house.

Music teacher here. Band instruments are tricky with regards to many aspects and so teachers like to help a child pick an instrument they will be successful on. Do not buy, whatever you do!!! There it's a reason those instruments are so cheap. They won't sound right, no matter how well your child is playing, then they won't want to practice due to frustration,, and eventually quit. Plus, if something happens to the instrument, it generally cannot be repaired. Talk to the teacher, good ones will always work with you to find a solution for a kid that wants to play.

The clarinet sucks.
It can also cause buck teeth.
I'd skip it.
Can she sing? Sign her up for choir instead

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my experience, students have always had to provide the instrument. Luckily you can rent pretty inexpensively. Dale Music in Silver Spring offers the following rates: http://dalemusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Brochure2009.pdf

It's been around since I was a kid.

Unfortunately it's still too expensive. The letter didn't have any information about instruments provided by the school district but it looks like we can get one if we qualify for the free lunch program. We weren't filling that out because our kids do not eat school lunch because one kid is allergic to soy, corn, and fruit.

If you qualify for free lunch and your child had a documented food allergy (note from MD), the school will substitute allergic foods for non allergic.

Anonymous wrote:You can find a cheap clarient in a pawn shop. I played sax and clarinet throughout grade school and in college. I got my first instruments from a cheap pawn shop. A clarinet is a pretty cheap instrument used. The only instruments my school provided were things like drums or the Tuba because those can be pretty expensive to purchase. A clarinet is actually one of the cheapest instruments you can get.

I wouldn't stress about getting a high end instrument, your daughter might be over music in a year. But if she is still into it and your finances improve then purchase her a quality instrument.

My concern with used, is if it needs tuning or the pads replaced, that can cost as much as the instrument.