When parents begin looking into renting a violin, viola, cello, or bass for their child, one of the first questions they ask is how long the rental agreement lasts. Many families worry about being locked into a long contract or committing before they know whether orchestra will be a good fit.
At Northland Violins and Von’s Violin Shop, the answer is simple and reassuring. Our rental agreement is month to month. There is no fixed end date, no long-term obligation, and no requirement to decide everything up front.
What “Month to Month” Really Means
A month-to-month rental agreement means exactly what it sounds like. The rental continues one month at a time and automatically renews each month as long as the instrument is kept. There is no minimum number of months required, and there is no maximum length either.
Families can rent an instrument for as long as they want. Some students rent for a few months. Others rent for several years. Both options are perfectly acceptable.
The agreement remains active until the instrument is returned or until the family decides to purchase the instrument.
No Long-Term Contract
One of the biggest advantages of renting from Northland Violins is the absence of a long-term contract. Parents are not required to commit to a semester, a school year, or any other fixed term.
This flexibility is especially helpful for families with new orchestra students. Children may need time to adjust to lessons, school schedules, and practice routines. A month-to-month agreement allows parents to support their child without feeling locked into a decision too early.
If circumstances change, the rental can change with them.
Renting for a Few Months or for Years
Some families use rentals as a short-term solution while their child explores music for the first time. Others choose to rent for much longer, especially while a student is growing and changing instrument sizes.
Because the agreement does not expire, families can keep the rental for as long as it makes sense for them. There is no pressure to return the instrument by a certain date, and no penalty for continuing month after month.
This makes renting a practical option not only for beginners, but also for students who are progressing and need flexibility.
Returning the Instrument
If a family decides to stop renting, the process is straightforward. The instrument can be returned at any time. The rental simply ends once the instrument is brought back and the account is settled through the return date.
Parents do not need to wait for a contract period to end or give advance notice months ahead of time. This makes planning easier and removes unnecessary stress. Some families return the instrument over the Summer break, many keep the instrument so their student can continue to practice.
For families who live farther away, Northland Violins provides guidance on returning instruments properly. Double basses, due to their size, must be returned in person.
Buying the Instrument Instead
A month-to-month rental agreement does not prevent a family from purchasing the instrument later. In fact, many families choose to start with renting and move to ownership once they are confident their child wants to continue playing.
Northland Violins and Von’s Violin Shop allow renters to apply rental payments toward purchasing the instrument, for the first 18 Payments as outlined in the rental agreement. Families can also choose to buy the instrument at any time rather than waiting for a specific point in the rental timeline.
This means renting does not close the door to buying. It keeps that option open.
Renting Without Pressure
The purpose of a flexible rental agreement is to remove pressure from the beginning of a student’s musical journey. Parents do not have to make long-term decisions before they have enough information.
A child can try orchestra, grow into their instrument, and develop skills while the family maintains control over how long the rental continues. Whether that ends in returning the instrument, continuing to rent indefinitely, or purchasing it, the choice always belongs to the family.
The Bottom Line
At Northland Violins, a typical rental agreement is not defined by a fixed length. It is defined by flexibility. Families can rent an instrument for a single month, for an entire school career, or anywhere in between.
They can keep renting, buy the instrument, or return it when they are ready. There is no deadline forcing a decision.
Learn More About Renting at Northland Violins
If you have questions about rental agreements or want to understand how renting works in your situation, you are welcome to learn more by calling, emailing, or coming into the shop. We are happy to explain the process and help you choose the option that works best for your family.
Renting should feel supportive and flexible, and that is exactly how Northland Violins designs its rental program.