So you want to start learning saxophone, but you don’t want to invest in buying a horn just yet. Is there another option?
Choosing to hire a saxophone is a great way to get started. We chatted to Rob from Music Corner in the UK to get the lowdown on hiring your sax.
Why hire a sax?
There’s no doubt about it, buying a saxophone is an expensive business. For many beginner players just starting out, the cost of a brand new saxophone is a big obstacle. And while there are some great secondhand instruments out there, if you’re new to saxophone, buying used can feel like a risk.
This is where hiring a saxophone can be a great option. “Our mission is to bring down the cost of high quality, teacher-approved instruments, so more people can afford to play an instrument,” says Rob.
Flexibility
As a beginner player, you might not be sure whether you want to learn alto or tenor saxophone. “Hiring a sax delays the expensive commitment of buying a new instrument, before the customer really understands what they need,” says Rob.
This means you can try out different makes and models of horn. And of course, you can upgrade your instrument as your sax skills develop.
Peace of mind
Your learning journey on saxophone will be much easier and more enjoyable if your sax is in good shape. A poorly maintained sax can really hold you back. When you hire a saxophone from Music Corner, they take care of maintenance for you. “The cost of a typical service on a sax is roughly £185, and we offer cover that supplies a service every 2 years for just £5 per month. This also includes insurance type cover against theft, loss and damage,” explains Rob. “Our family history is in maintaining instruments and have a team of NAMIR approved repairers that keep our instruments in top condition.”
How long do people hire a saxophone for?
With Music Corner, the minimum hire period is 3 months. However, some people hire their sax for much longer. “We have people that continue to hire for years as it’s a flexible and affordable solution,” says Rob. “Others swap to an upgraded instrument, or move from an alto to a tenor sax, for example.”
If you are visiting the UK and don’t want to bring your horn with you, Music Corner also offer short term hire.
Who hires a saxophone?
As you might expect, Music Corner work with a lot of schools and sax teachers to provide saxophones to young learners.
However, it’s not just for kids! “It’s also adults coming back to playing or fulfilling an ambition to play,” says Rob.
It’s not just for beginner players either. Hiring is a great way to try out a different member of the saxophone family. So if you’re an alto player and you’re thinking of moving to a tenor, or even a baritone or soprano saxophone, you can hire a horn to try it out.
You might even get to hire a saxophone previously played by someone famous! “We have provided a number of instruments to celebrity customers and their families, and some recently ended up on a cruise ship band,” says Rob.
Deciding to buy
If you fall in love with the saxophone, chances are you will want to own a horn of your own. At Music Corner, customers have a “rent to buy” option. This means if you hire, and then decide to buy, up to 12 months of hire fees can be deducted from the purchase price.
Succeeding on saxophone
As well as access to a great instrument, to success on saxophone you need access to great quality lessons, resources and support. Sax School PRO has everything you need to take you from an absolute beginner to advanced tactics. Our pro tutor team is there to support you and answer questions in our live clinics, and our amazing worldwide Community of learners will keep you motivated.