It is very important for students to have a good quality instrument to practice on at home. At the bottom of this page are links to a few local music shops.

Sometimes you can find good deals on the internet, but going to a shop is best. There you can see and play the instruments and get proper advice.

Keyboards
At school we use Yamaha keyboards and they have proven to be reliable and sturdy. A ‘touch sensitive’ (PSR series) is recommended (online new YAMAHA PSR E353 from $350). The more recent PSR is around $450, and has better quality speakers and sounds. After a year or two of lessons, in order to develop proper technique, it’s important to upgrade to a weighted keys keyboard (feels like playing a piano), new from about $600 or a real piano of course! GH Music sells Yamaha keyboards and has a great variety of keyboards you can try (take your budding musician along!). Worth looking on Gumtree/Ebay also.

Guitars
Student model acoustic guitars are relatively inexpensive. Young beginners may need a 1/2 size guitar (you can enquire with the teacher after a lesson or two), older students a 3/4 size. Prices start at about $100. For our CD recording I bought a Yamaha 3/4 size guitar, they are better quality and have a brighter sound. Electric guitar can be played from grade 4 and up, especially if it’s full size (3/4 size definitely an option!). A quality student Fender with practice amplifier retails for around $400. Don’t spend much less than this, it could be a lemon!  Acoustic Centre (Sth Melb) is a guitarist’s paradise! Closer by Scarlett Music and GH Music are good music shops too.

Ukulele
You can buy a beginner (almost a toy) ukulele for around $30. Make sure the tuning pegs work properly! But much better to buy a good quality one (from about $150).

Violin
Violins are available in 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 size. If unsure about size, consult with your child’s teacher. Susan (our violin teacher) recommends Stentor violins. Other recommended brands are Gliga, Ragetti and Sandner. Vincent Hayes has a great workshop in Williamstown and supplies and services quality instruments at a reasonable price. Take your child along to his workshop, it’s inspiring! Contact Vincent mob: 0425 706 667. Vincent may be away on the Sea Shepherd though.

Wind and Brass instruments
Recorders are available for about $20 at music shops. Yamaha is a dependable brand.
For clarinet, saxophone and flute and trumpet I recommend Ozwinds (http://www.ozwinds.com.au). They offer good advice and sell quality student instruments at a reasonable price. It’s worth the drive.

If you have further enquiries about instrument purchase, please contact us via the contact form?

Local Music Shops
GH Music
Scarlett Music