Convincing my parents to purchase an instrument...

[CKH]

Next fall, I'm planning on double majoring in music performance and education at the University of North Texas (my first choice). If not (I live in Georgia) I plan on attending UGA. That being said, I was speaking to my friend, a tubist, and he said he would have a new CC Tuba within the next several weeks. Suddenly, I realized I really would like to have my own instrument. I have been playing on a Yamaha 642 that my school owns for the past several years and have really liked it. There are a few things that I don't, but overall, it's a great instrument. In order to be successful in the competitive environment that is college, I feel that I would need an improvement on my current instrument. How can I convince my parents to drop $6000 plus on an instrument? Financially, we're middle class, but my family has never been one to spend money for the sake of getting rid of it. Any advice?

Thanks,
Christian

[Snorlax]

Convincing my parents to purchase an instrument...

Hi...
Several things come to mind:

1. Get a part-time job, save up, and buy one yourself,
2. Or perhaps your parents will give you a "matching grant."
3. Consider a quality used instrument, then return to #1 above. It's a buyer's market for used horns these days.
4. Either college has an excellent teacher. Good luck wherever you wind up.
Ask your teacher for advice on choosing a horn. Almost all Bowman students play a Willson and a BB1. Return to #1 above
5. Your teacher can chat with your parents about instruments.
6. Return to #1 above

[RickF]

Convincing my parents to purchase an instrument...

Good suggestions by Snorlax.

If you're considering #3, there's an almost brand-new 642 for sale here in this forum:

Yamaha 642

[Kurfie549]

Convincing my parents to purchase an instrument...

I myself went through the same ordeal myself a few months ago. make it obvious to your folks that this is very important to you, but you aren't simply rushing into it. buying a quality used horn is probably your best bet. I personally got a Bessson Sovereign 967 that had been a convention horn (great thing to look for) in brand nerw condition for less than 4k with a service plan included in that price. i know eBay has an english sovereign for 4k sold by quintheeskimo.

Bottom line is do your research before hand and find a deal that is sensible and show that you do realize the magnitude of the purchase.

Good luck and keep us posted

[fsung]

Convincing my parents to purchase an instrument...

I think it would be imprudent for the OP to purchase a horn without the guidance of an experienced euphonium teacher: preferably his professor or principal instructor at whatever school he ends up studying.

I also think it would be a mistake to do so before the instructor has had the opportunity to take the full measure of the OP's strengths, weaknesses, musical sensibilities, and preferences.

And  unless the instrument one is currently playing is either defective or inappropriate for the level at which one is studying and playing, e.g., a Yamaha 201 or a Besson 1062 in a euph performance degree program, I am extremely dubious that buying a horn - any horn - will help one compete more successfully, regardless of the level of competition.

If you would like to know why I think those to be the case, look up the "York vs. Besson" thread.

[bearphonium]

Convincing my parents to purchase an instrument...

Having your own horn is an excellent idea, especially where you want to go with your career path. I would agree with what several other people have already posted: Stand by and wait to see how you're evaluated by your new prof, and what the reccommendation is from him/her. Buy a used horn; it is really a buyer's market. Spend at least some of your own money on it, at least a third of the total cost. Be patient and wait for exactly what you want.

Good Luck!

[davewerden]

Convincing my parents to purchase an instrument...

I'll echo fsung's advice: talk to your new teacher first.