Should you buy or hire your first instrument?
For your first few months, you usually do not need to buy. Borrow, hire, or start on an affordable beginner instrument so you can test commitment before you invest. Once lessons have become a settled weekly habit, and the instrument is clearly the right fit, buying a good one is money well spent.
Last updated: 19 June 2026
When hiring makes sense
Hiring is the easy, low-risk way to begin, and for a lot of families it is the right first move. It makes the most sense when you are not yet sure the lessons will stick, when the learner is a young child who is still growing, or when the instrument is large or specialised. Renting spreads the cost into small amounts, and many music shops let you put part of what you pay toward buying the instrument later. You also avoid the classic trap of a barely used instrument gathering dust if a child decides it is not for them.
When buying makes sense
Once lessons have settled into a happy weekly routine, usually after a term or two, buying starts to make sense. By then the learner has chosen their instrument, practice has become a habit, and having a good instrument at home every day matters more than keeping costs flexible. A quality instrument that stays in tune and feels good to play makes practice easier and more enjoyable, which is exactly what keeps a learner going. Buying a good second-hand instrument is a smart middle path, and well-made instruments tend to hold their value if you ever decide to resell.
What to look for, instrument by instrument
Every instrument has one or two things that matter most at the very start. Here is the short version for the instruments families ask us about most.
Piano
A full piano has 88 weighted keys, and that is the ideal to aim for, because weighted keys build proper finger strength and technique. You do not need one to begin, though. A basic keyboard is perfectly fine for the first stage, and plenty of families start there. When you are ready to commit, a digital piano with 88 weighted keys is a popular, space-friendly choice. More on piano lessons.
Guitar
For guitar, size is everything at the start. Guitars come in smaller fractional sizes, and an instrument that is too big is uncomfortable and discouraging for a young player. A shorter neck and a smaller body let small hands reach the strings comfortably, and nylon strings are gentler on beginner fingertips. Ask us or the shop to match the size to the player. See guitar lessons.
Drums
You do not need a full acoustic kit at home to start, and most households would not want the volume anyway. A practice pad is inexpensive and ideal for building technique and timing, and an electronic kit lets a learner practise quietly through headphones at any hour. Many drummers progress happily on a pad and an electronic kit for a long time. See drum lessons.
One happy exception: if you are starting singing lessons, there is nothing to buy at all. The voice is the instrument, which makes singing one of the most affordable ways into music.
Not sure what to buy? Ask us first
We are always happy to advise families on size, type, and whether to hire or buy, before you spend a cent. Have a chat with us, or get the lesson side sorted first.
Related questions
Is it worth buying a cheap instrument to start?
Yes. An affordable beginner instrument is a sensible way to start, because the aim early on is regular practice, not a concert-grade instrument. You can always upgrade later, once lessons have become a settled weekly habit and you know the instrument is the right fit.
Do I need an 88-key piano to start piano lessons?
No. A basic keyboard is perfectly fine for the first stage of piano lessons. A full piano or a digital piano with 88 weighted keys is the ideal to aim for later, because weighted keys build the proper finger strength and technique.
Can my child practise drums at home without disturbing the neighbours?
Yes. A practice pad is quiet and excellent for building technique, and an electronic kit can be played through headphones at any hour. Neither needs the space or the volume of a full acoustic drum kit, so both suit a family home.
Will Narellan Music Centre help me choose an instrument?
Yes, gladly. We are happy to advise families on size, type, and whether to hire or buy, before you spend anything. Just ask us, or raise it at your trial lesson and the instructor can point you in the right direction.
Ready to start?
Book a trial lesson. Meet a teacher, try an instrument, and we will help you decide what to buy or hire, with no pressure.