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!