Please see below some suggestions we have when looking for an instrument. As an alternative to purchasing an instrument, your local library will also offer a selection of instruments to rent - you will need to register with them for your chosen instrument!
GUITAR:
Beginner students should start with a nylon string guitar rather than a steel string as nylon strings tend to be easier on your fingertips.
For most beginner aged 8-11 a 3/4 size guitar is recommended. This image provides a useful guide to help determine what size guitar a student should get! https://www.normans.co.uk/blogs/blog/guitar-size-guide
For older kids and adults (age 12+) it depends on many factors and sometimes steels strings are a preference for this age group, even for beginners. It is best to speak with your teacher about what type of guitars / strings you should purchase at your first lesson - we almost always have a school guitar available to use in your first class if needed (though please confirm by contacting us first!).
Where to purchase: Crowleys Music in Cork have a number of 3/4 size beginner guitars in stock as well as full size guitars of varying price ranges. Soundz of Music in Kenmare is also a great option.
In terms of online retailers - Gear 4 Music and Thomann are two of the biggest online retailers however, for most instruments it’s always good, where possible, to walk in and buy from a shop, ensuring you are getting the right type of instrument for your use.
It will also be necessary to purchase a capo (a trigger capo is best!) and a tuner.
VIOLIN:
Beginner students: Student Stentor or a Primavera brand, these start with the basic model but higher end model also available. A violin purchase should come as a kit so students get their violin, bow and rosin. However it’s advisable from about aged 9/10 upwards to have a shoulder rest. These are matched to the size of the violin so a 1/2 size violin would need a 1/2 size shoulder rest to match. Recommended brand is Kun. It’s a slimmer model and well suited to small shoulders.
Wondering what size to get? This link provides very useful information on measuring for a violin though please ignore the 7/8 size as these are rarely purchased https://violinlounge.com/article/violin-size-chart-choose-the-right-size-violin/
Where to purchase: Gear4music or Thomann are both recommended online retailers. Soundz of Music in Kenmare - good selection of second hand instruments and they do trade in offers which is very useful for students in the long term.
Advanced students / student looking for a very high quality instrument - Recommended are the very good duo Jeremie Legrand and Ian Knepper, Bertrand Galen or Hugo Vegter, all based in Cork City. They are trained luthiers and are in the business of selling handmade instruments but also buy instruments that are factory made and embellish and improve them for use. They start at around €350. They also do a showcase in the West Cork Chamber Music Festival each year which might be of interest to string players.
CLARINET:
Beginners usually take up the clarinet around 9 or 10 when their hands and fingers are big enough to cover the tone holes and reach the side keys and for them the standard Bb clarinet would be perfect.
Clarinets cover a huge price range but students don’t have to spend a fortune to begin with - see the list below for some suggestions. The only other thing to consider is that there are two types of Clarinet: the Boehm system and the German. Each has a different fingering system but it’s the Boehm that is taught and used in Ireland!
Starter Clarinets:
Student Clarinet by Gear4music at Gear4music
Buffet Crampon Prodige Bb-Clarinet 17/6
Intermediate:
Buffet Crampon E12FL Bb-Clarinet 18/6
For those whose hands and fingers are a little on the small side there’s the option of a plastic C clarinet which will cover the first year or two of learning. Once they’ve grown a little they can move on to the standard Bb instrument. (Note: Eb clarinets are not recomended to start with as the embouchure is a little more demanding).
Paul Ryan in Dublin also rents clarinets for those who want to try it all out first. Note, there are conditions that have to be fulfilled first (contract, proof of lessons etc).
PIANO:
Ideally, all beginners should have access to a full size piano / digital piano with weighted keys.
A full size piano or full set of keys refers to a piano (acoustic or digital) with 88 notes. Smaller keyboards generally have 61 notes or 76 notes, mostly without weighted keys. Beginners start off using only a few notes to begin with when they start learning the piano or keyboard but as students progress, the range of notes that they use will extend.
The keys on acoustic pianos feel heavier to play compared to portable keyboards. This is because when a piano key is pressed down, it triggers the hammer action to lift in order to hit the strings to create the sound. Most digital pianos with weighted keys simulate this hammer action very well and the weighting of the keys never change. The weighted action helps students to build finger strength. For a child who practices on a digital piano with a weighted action rather than a non-weighted keyboard, the transition to acoustic piano is very smooth (this is especially important if they plan on sitting exams). If the child is used to playing non-weighted keys at home, they will find the weighted keys much heavier to play and may struggle until they get used to the heavier keys.
Acoustic V Digital: Up until 10/15 years ago, having an acoustic piano would have been necessary when learning piano however technology has come so far and the difference between acoustic and high-quality digital pianos is barely evident. No matter what instrument you play, it is important to play an instrument that sounds and feels pleasing. Just because the piano is acoustic, it does not necessarily mean that they sound or feel better. Acoustic pianos can be very beautiful to play and touch, but unlike digital pianos, they need regular maintenance to ensure their playability.
Before you buy an acoustic piano, you need to think of your investment and ongoing maintenance costs. Tuning is required on a regular basis if you want your piano to stay in tune. Digital pianos on the other hand, never require tuning and the tone doesn’t deteriorate over time.
What to get:
We recommend that all beginners should start on a fully weighted 88-note piano where possible but if this is not immediately available to a student, it should not be a deterrent to learning; for the short term a keyboard will be fine.
There are many affordable, entry level digital options available. In terms of brands, Yamaha, Roland, Kawai and Korg offer some of the best. Thomann’s own brand digital pianos are also very good and perfectly good for beginners. They often come as a full set (piano, stool, headphone). The main thing to look out for when buying a digital piano is that it has fully weighted keys. A pedal will also be necessary as students progress but is not required at the start.
Where to purchase: For acoustic pianos, we recommend Jeffers Pianos in Bandon. They have a large selection of pianos of varying prices at their showroom in Bandon. Done Deal is also always worth trying for a second hand instrument though we advise having someone look at it first before purchasing.
For digital pianos try: Jeffers (Bandon) Soundz of Music (Kenmare) ProMusica (Cork City) or Savins (Limerick) and Thomann (online only). Done Deal also often has good second hand digital pianos available.