Things to Consider When Buying a Musical Instrument

 

Shopping for the perfect instrument can be confusing. So here are few things that should be considered while buying a musical instrument for yourself:  

1. Choosing an instrument

The choice of musical instrument is the most important factor. An instrument & its selection can be a challenging process with lots of things to consider. One should not be selecting an instrument as per fashion but as per acoustic need and requirements. Choosing an instrument largely has to do with the kind of music that moves you and your own way of making this music.  There is an instrument that will resonate with you if you are diligent and patient in this process.  It is important to ask other musicians and listen to their performance upon the instruments of their choice. 

2.  Material

Historically, musical instruments used to be made up of woods, bones, animal hides and reeds. The oldest device ever found is the flute that’s about 6700 years old. Nowadays woods and metals are commonly used to make instruments. Universally among ancient folk music and folk instruments artisans of such instruments use locally sourced materials.  They would seek locally sourced woods for instance that produce the sounds and resonance for their type of music. In Appalachian Folk Music, for example, the music hearkens back to the ancient music of the motherland in the British Isles.  Instrument crafts people seek locally sourced materials that will make the resonant sounds of the old country.  The Hammered Dulcimer, the Bowed Psaltery and the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer are three such instruments. 

 The Hammered Dulcimer is a percussion stringed instrument that requires special attention to the soundboard and the back board, which will carry the sound vibrations.  Some locally sourced woods to be consider for the soundboard may be carefully selected poplar, quart swan Sycamore or quart swan heart Yellow Pine. 

 

The Bowed Psaltery makes its sound by drawing a horse hair bow over the strings which sets up a vibration, creating a sound similar in some respects to the violin or cello.  Some describe the eerie sound of this instrument as hearkening back to the sound of the ancient pipes played in the Highlands of Scotland. 

 

The Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer is a fretted instrument which is strummed much like a guitar.  The Mountain Dulcimer has one or more drone strings which can also sound like the old pipes of the British Isles.

 Each of these instruments requires the instrument artisan to select woods that can produce the old time music of the Appalachians but also suit more modern taste in music and the playing style of the musician.

 3. Quality

Impeccable quality of instruments takes the music to a higher level. A genuine piece of handcrafted musical instrument creates the most elegant and soothing music. Appalachian Folk Instruments such as dulcimer, banjos, mandolin, etc, are made up of high-quality a material, which gives a melodic and linear tune.  It is important to pay close attention to the instrument crafts person's careful attention not only in selecting premium solid woods for sound quality, but to the aesthetic beauty of the instrument and superior quality of finish.  Remember this is most likely a lifetime investment which you will hold with the eyes and hands throughout your life.

 4. Size          

The instrument size also plays a major consideration. An instrument common among people, in which models are offered in different sizes, is the guitar and violin for example.  In Appalachian Folk instruments there is a choice in size also, especially for the Bowed Psaltery. These instruments are held against your chest, so your arm length is important in selecting between a soprano, alto or baritone instrument.  Arm and finger length is the decisive factor. When it comes to wind instruments such as flute, one can also face special requirements for age and height. Handmade instruments unravel the problems of the size of the instrument as per age, height and requirement.  The crafts person of high quality instruments does not simply aim for generic sound and size but takes special consideration of the individual needs of the musicians who will take up their instruments to play.

 5. Time Investment and skill in learning to perform your instrument

It may not have occurred to you that there are various levels of skill in learning to play different types of instruments.  You have made the very important decision that you want to make music.  What are your skills and what kind of investment of time and energy are you willing to give in the adventure of making music?  In this respect the price is not the main consideration.  The good news about folk music and folk instruments is that they are the “people’s music” and most folk musicians did not know anything about reading music or of music theory.  They play an instrument that will give them the opportunity to reproduce a song in their head or heart. 

 Among Appalachian Folk Instruments for instance, learning to play a Hammered Dulcimer which is a predecessor to the piano, is much easier to learn than to play a piano.  But once you learn, you might be inspired to also learn to play piano!  The easiest of Appalachian instruments to learn to play is the Bowed Psaltery and may just inspire you to also learn to play other bowed instruments such as the violin.  It is said that the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer is the easiest of strummed fretted instruments to learn to play.

 6. Sound effects

All musical instruments create sound by causing matter to vibrate. An instrument producing noise that is pleasant to the ears is what is needed. Sounds of different pitches and tunes are created by different materials and their way of manufacturing. The handmade instrument is highly recommended for desirable and amplifying sound effects.  The resonance of a musical instrument, especially one you hold in your hands, resonates throughout your body and plays the heart strings of the soul.

 To get the best instruments the best suppliers are also in searches. To help you out with it, we have the best recommendation for you. They offer the best music instruments to enhance your music journey and offer the best destination.