If your student is starting orchestra, one of the very first questions you’ll face is simple, but important:
Should I rent an instrument, or should I buy one outright?
There’s no single answer that fits every family, but for most beginning students, renting first is usually the smartest, lowest-risk choice. Here’s why.
Why Renting Makes Sense for Most Students
1. Renting Lets You Try Before You Commit
Many students are excited to start orchestra—but not all of them stick with it long-term. Renting gives your student the chance to explore music without a large upfront investment. If orchestra turns out not to be the right fit, you’re not left with an expensive instrument sitting in a closet.
2. Your Rental Payments Build Toward Ownership
At Northland Violins, renting isn’t money “thrown away.”
The First 18 months you rent any instrument, you earn credit toward purchasing that same type instrument. If your student decides to continue, the first 18 rental payments can be applied directly toward buying it. In other words, renting becomes a path to ownership, not a dead end.
3. Growing Students Need Growing Instruments
Young musicians grow—sometimes faster than expected.
When you rent from Northland Violins, instrument size changes are included at no extra charge. If your student outgrows their current violin, viola, cello, or bass, you can trade it in for another size without paying exchange fees.
That flexibility alone saves many families hundreds of dollars over time.
What About Damage? (Because Accidents Happen)
Let’s be honest: instruments get bumped, dropped, and occasionally… run over.
For just $5 more per month, you can add full instrument insurance(excluding Strings) to your rental. That coverage means:
- Accidental damage is fully covered
- Von’s Violin Shop repairs rental instruments
- Repairs or replacements cost you nothing
- Even extreme accidents—yes, including a parent accidentally running over the instrument with the family car—are covered
When something happens, the instrument is repaired or replaced free of charge, no arguments, no panic. We have literally had parents return splinters to us and leave with a fully playable instrument.
When Buying Might Make Sense
Buying an instrument outright can make sense if:
- Your student is older and physically done growing
- They’ve already been playing for several years
- A teacher recommends upgrading to a higher-level instrument
Even then, many families still start with renting and transition to purchasing once the student’s commitment and size are stable. Typically, it is time to buy an instrument when the student has attained enough proficiency with the instrument, that it is the quality of the instrument holding them back.
The quality of an instrument (and bow) can be heard when a skilled musician plays them. When the time is right, Northland Violins sells instruments from rental quality dollars, to tens of thousands of dollars, so your musician can find the perfect instrument for them. When that time comes, your musician can take the time they need, and play as many instruments as they need, to make the best choice for them.
The Bottom Line
For most beginning orchestra students, renting offers flexibility, protection, and peace of mind:
- Rental payments* count toward ownership
- Free size exchanges as your student grows
- Optional insurance for real-world accidents
Renting removes the biggest risks while keeping every option open.
Recommended next step:
If your student is just getting started, talk with Northland Violins about rental options and sizing before making a purchase decision. Email, call or walk in and tell us what you need. We will do our best to provide you with the perfect instrument for your student, no matter where they are in their musical journey.