Instrument Drive

Classroom Budget

Use It or Lose It!

Are you looking to stretch your classroom dollars? We can help!

We have instruments for children of all ages! Some of our favorites for the younger age groups include:

• Egg Shakers

• Recorders

• NUVO Instruments

• Ukuleles

We also have a huge selection of instruments for students from intermediate up to high school - and beyond! Need an instrument not on this list? Let us know!

• Woodwind Instruments

  • Clarinet

  • Flute

  • Oboe

  • Piccolo

  • Saxophone (Alto, Tenor, Baritone)

• Brass Instruments

  • Baritone

  • Cornet

  • Euphonium

  • French Horn

  • Trombone

  • Trumpet

  • Tuba

• Orchestral Strings

  • Cello

  • Viola

  • Violin

  • Upright Bass

• Percussion

• Keyboards

• Clavinovas

• Drum Sets (acoustic & electronic)

Contact our instrument specialists today and let us help supply your music classroom!

Frets for Vets

Therapy through music. We can’t think of a group anymore deserving than our combat veterans. That’s why we are proud to partner with JJO Radio for the FRETS 4 VETS program.

• 10 FREE guitar lessons for combat veterans

• FREE use of a practice guitar

• FREE guitar at graduation

To register, contact us below or call the Madison Vet Center at 608.264.5342.

Choosing the Right Instrument

There’s nothing like the excitement of a student choosing their first instrument! But how do you choose the right instrument for your child? Here are some things to consider:

• Sound! Each instrument has a unique sound. What sound does your child gravitate toward? The boom of the bass drum? The buuuuuup of the trumpet? The smooth jazz sound of the saxophone? The low sound of a cello? Or perhaps the ethereal sound of the flute? Each instrument has a sound all its own and it’s important for the student to ‘like’ the sound! Success depends on how much the student practices. If the student doesn’t like the sound of the instrument, it’s likely that they will not find as much (if any) enjoyment in playing the instrument which will lead to less time practicing.

• Size! The size of the instrument for a student is something often overlooked but it is important! Again, if the instrument is too large for the student to comfortably handle, they are less likely to want to practice. In particular, the violin has different sizes available based on age and arm length. Getting the right instrument ‘fit’ is important to a successful start!

• Cost! The price of a good, quality instrument is one thing but one should also consider maintenance, repairs, and accessories. Renting a band and/or orchestra instrument not only makes good economic sense but also offers the flexibility of easy exchanges or returns.

Why Rent from Knapton?

Since 2000, we’ve been helping assisting students of all ages get their start in music or expand their musical ability. Our knowledgeable staff sincerely cares about helping customers find what they need. We offer a large selection of band and orchestra instruments for rental or purchase. When you choose Knapton for your music needs, you get:

• Trusted brands! We carry band and orchestra instruments from trusted brands including, but not limited to, Eastman, Maple Leaf, Gemeinhardt, Blessing Brass, JP Musical Instruments, and Antigua Winds.
• Beginner and Step-Up Instruments! We carry a large selection of instruments perfect for beginners as well as ‘step-up’ instruments for when your student is ready to move up to a higher-quality instrument.
• Easy to Rent! There are no enrollment fees or long-term commitments with our month-to-month rental contracts! Plus, you can use your rental credit towards the purchase of a new or gently pre-owned instrument.
• Accessories Included! Your rental instrument will come with everything you need to play right out of the case!
• Convenience! We work with your child’s school to have on hand the required method books. We can also drop off and/or pick up rentals, instruments for repair, and accessories as needed!
• FREE Maintenace and Repair! We understand that accidents happen! Repairs and maintenance are included with the rental contract. Complimentary loaners are available to use while your instrument is in our repair shop.
• WE’RE HERE FOR YOU! We are open 7 days a week to assist you! We’re here to help you explore all the available options simply because we want your music experience to be amazing!

What instruments do you rent?

We have brass, woodwind, strings, and percussion kits available to rent! This includes the following instruments: flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone (alto and tenor), trombone, trumpet, baritone, french horn, violin, viola, cello, and upright bass.

What about other instruments?

Knapton Musik Knotes is a full-service music store catering to all ages and abilities. In addition to band and orchestra instruments, we also carry digital pianos and keyboards, Yamaha clavinovas, percussion instruments, guitars, amplifiers, folk instruments, and more! We offer music lessons and have a huge selection of accessories and thousands of music books for all genres. Knapton Musik Knotes truly is your local one-stop music shop!

All About That Brass

Jazz. Big band. Marching bands. Orchestra. These are the genres that come to mind when we think of brass instruments. Why? Brass instruments are portable and can be played loudly!

What determines a ‘brass’ instrument?

A brass instrument is not determined by the material it is made from but rather by how it is played. While both brass and woodwind instruments require ‘force of air’ to make sound, there is NO TRACE of wood or reed in brass instruments!

The first horns were actually made of hollowed-out animal horns and were used as a form of communication! It was during the 16th century that horns were used as a musical instrument. As it was, the horns used weren’t very versatile and during performances, players would have had to switch between different horns for different sounds. It wasn’t until the next century that the horn was modified with a ‘flared end’ or bell and the French Horn was born.

french Horn

Today’s horns have pistons and valves and usually lots of curves. In addition to adding a visual appeal, curves help the air move smoothly and allow players to easily change pitch. Of course, curves also make the instrument more ‘portable’. Could you imagine if a french horn was straight? If the tubing on a french horn was straight, the length would extend about 18 feet!

How do you choose the right instrument, brass or otherwise? While there are certain things to take into consideration, choose the instrument that has the sound you are most attracted to! Whether you are looking to rent or purchase, our experienced staff can help you choose the instrument that is right for you!

Shop Small ♥ Love Local

Add to cart.

Buy now.

Online retailers make it look that simple. But is it?

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

While it may seem ‘that’ simple, buying an instrument is not a “one size fits all” experience. Choosing the right instrument is more than picking from a pretty picture, there are several things to take into consideration.

For example, many instruments come in different sizes. When purchasing an instrument for yourself (or someone else), it’s important to choose an instrument that is appropriately sized for the user.

More than a Feeling

How does the instrument ‘feel’? Does it feel ‘comfortable’? Try it out! How are the strings? How is the weight? Is it easy to hold or does it feel awkward? Be honest with yourself. If the instrument doesn’t have the right fit and feel, it’s less likely to be played.

Music is What Feelings Sound Like

Beyond the feel, there is also the sound. It’s easy to think that the same type of instruments all sound the same, but the tone of an instrument can vary greatly depending on the materials and workmanship. Bright and shiny doesn’t mean it’s a high (or even good) quality instrument.

Try Before You Buy

When you shop with us, you can try before you buy. Our experienced staff members will listen and ask the right questions to help you choose the right instrument. For your convenience, we have private studios available to try the instrument out for both size and sound.

Fear of Commitment?

Are you afraid of commitment? Choosing an instrument is kind of a big deal and we understand that you might want to keep your options open! We have a large variety of band and orchestra instruments to choose from. Plus, all our rental instruments come with the necessary accessories (i.e., mouthpieces, ligatures, cork grease, swabs, reeds, and bows) so you can start playing right out of the case. Of course, if you don’t love it, you can always bring it back and try something else!

Think. Shop. Buy local!

We pride ourselves on product expertise while adding a personal touch to your shopping experience. Plus, when you shop local, you’re investing in your local community by helping to create more jobs and generating more tax revenue - which in turn benefits the community! That sounds like a win-win for everyone!

Facts About Band Instruments - WOODWINDS

What makes a woodwind - a woodwind?

Merriam-Webster defines woodwind “as any of a group of wind instruments (such as a clarinet, flute, oboe, or saxophone) that are characterized by a cylindrical or conical tube of wood or metal usually ending in a slightly flared bell, that produce tones by the vibration of one or two reeds in the mouthpiece or by the passing of air over a mouth hole, and that usually have finger holes or keys by which the player may produce all the tones within an instrument's range.”

What does this mean in layman’s terms? Well, not every woodwind is made of wood and not every woodwind requires a reed - it’s all about the shape!

While there are several woodwind instruments, we are going to focus on three of the most popular!

The Flute is the oldest of all woodwinds dating back over 30,000 years and has been made from bones, wood, stone, or clay throughout history. Today’s flutes are typically made from nickel, brass, silver, or wood.

Did you know? Every flute has a unique sound! The sound of a flute is determined by the material it is made from and from the thickness of the material used. The flute is easy to maintain and transport. Since sound is produced by blowing air across the hole of the mouthpiece, there is no need for a reed!

In comparison, the Clarinet has only been around since the 18th century. Early clarinets were made of boxwood. Professionally, today’s clarinets are made from African hardwoods while beginners can easily find clarinets made from plastic resin.

The clarinet is a versatile instrument. It is played in symphonies and orchestras as well as jazz bands and other music ensembles. Using only a single reed, the clarinet is easy to clean, maintain, and transport making it a great beginner’s instrument.

While we often think of jazz when we think of the Saxophone, it was originally invented as an orchestral instrument in the 19th century. Made from metal, the saxophone requires a reed to make sound, thereby making it a woodwind instrument.

Due to their modern design, saxophones are considered a good beginner’s instrument.

Whether you are a student looking for a quality first instrument or a professional, our experienced staff is here to guide you in finding the instrument that is right for YOU.

Happy New Year!

WELCOME 2021!

Like most, we are excited to put 2020 in the rear view mirror and look forward to 2021!

We want to take this moment to say THANK YOU.

THANK YOU to everyone who shopped with us.

THANK YOU to everyone who referred their friends and family to us.

THANK YOU for entrusting us with your music needs.

We look forward to helping you with your musical needs in 2021 and beyond!