Budgeting
The Hidden Ongoing Costs
Every instrument needs feeding — strings, reeds, oil, sticks. Rental and purchase price is only part of the real number.
Why this isn't in the sticker price
Rental fees cover the instrument and basic repairs. Purchase price covers the instrument. Neither includes what keeps it actually playable week to week — and for some instrument families, that's a real, recurring line item worth budgeting for before you commit. None of the figures below are exact (local prices vary, and every retailer's pricing differs) — treat them as planning ranges, and check current prices at Music & Arts, Sweetwater, or Shar Music, all of whom sell consumables alongside instruments.
Strings — violin, viola, cello, double bass
| Item | Typical cost | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Full string set (student brand) | $20–45 | Every 6–12 months, sooner if one breaks |
| Rosin (cake) | $8–15 | One cake usually lasts a full school year |
| Bow rehair | $35–60 | About once a year for regular players |
| Shoulder rest (violin/viola) | $15–35, one-time | Replace only if lost or outgrown |
Most families replace one string at a time as it breaks rather than the whole set — except ahead of an audition or recital, when a fresh full set is common.
Woodwinds — clarinet, sax, oboe, bassoon, flute
| Item | Typical cost | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Single reeds (clarinet, sax) — box of 10 | $20–35 | A box lasts most beginners 4–8 weeks |
| Double reeds (oboe, bassoon) | $8–18 each | Bought individually; more fragile, every few weeks |
| Cork grease | $3–6 | One tube lasts most of a school year |
| Cleaning swab / cloth | $8–15 | Replace yearly, or sooner if damp or torn |
| Pad repair / service | $20–60 per repair | As needed — more common from year two onward |
Reeds are the single biggest ongoing cost of any instrument family. Flute is the exception here — no reed, just a cleaning rod and occasional headjoint cork replacement.
Brass — trumpet, trombone, French horn, tuba, euphonium
| Item | Typical cost | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Valve oil | $5–9 per bottle | Apply every few days to weekly; one bottle lasts months |
| Slide grease (trombone slide, tuning slides) | $5–9 | Weekly to monthly |
| Cleaning snake | $10–15, one-time | For periodic bath-cleaning; lasts years |
| Mouthpiece brush | $4–8, one-time | Lasts years |
Brass has the lowest ongoing cost of any family — a few dollars in oil and grease covers most of a school year.
Percussion
| Item | Typical cost | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Sticks / mallets (pair) | $8–18 | Regular players often go through 2–6 pairs a year |
| Drumhead replacement | $15–35 each | As needed — torn or dented |
| Drum key | $3–6, one-time | Easy to lose — worth keeping a spare |
Every instrument, regardless of family
| Item | Typical cost | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet music stand | $15–30, one-time | Skip if the school provides one for practice |
| Tuner / metronome | Free (app) or $15–25 (clip-on) | A free tuner app covers most beginners' needs |
| Method book | $10–20 | Usually one per school year |
Frequently asked questions
What's the single biggest ongoing cost, by instrument family?
For reed instruments (clarinet, sax, oboe, bassoon), it's reeds — they wear out every few weeks. For strings, it's a full string change roughly once a year, or a bow rehair. Brass has the lowest ongoing cost of any family — just valve oil and slide grease, a few dollars at a time.
Do rental programs cover strings, reeds, oil or sticks?
Almost never. Rental fees typically cover the instrument itself and basic mechanical repairs (a stuck valve, a bent key) — not day-to-day consumables. Budget for these separately even if you're renting, not just if you buy — see our rent-vs-buy calculator for the instrument cost side of that comparison.
Should I buy reeds or strings in bulk?
For single reeds (clarinet, sax), a box of 10 is usually cheaper per-reed than buying singles, and it's normal to go through several before finding ones that play well. For strings, most families replace one string at a time as it breaks rather than pre-buying a full set — except before an audition or performance, when a fresh full set is common.
Independence note: MyMusicKid earns nothing from any store or brand mentioned here — these are typical planning ranges based on common student-line pricing, not sponsored figures. Confirm current prices with your band director or local shop before budgeting.