5 Best Ways to Make Music Affordable

One thing I've noticed about having a musical hobby is that it's expensive! Even if you're a casual hobbyist who only wants to play in your living room for yourself, the cost of instruments themselves can add up. 

Some are more expensive than others, and you have to make the decision of whether or not it's worth your money to purchase an inexpensive instrument if it doesn't do what you want it to do. I learned this lesson the hard way more than once.

Music is an important part of life. It soothes frayed nerves, it provides entertainment for the player and the listener, and it increases mental astuteness.

There could be dozens of reasons that you might want to learn to play music.

The drawback can be a big one though: Learning music is an expensive hobby. Just in order to begin playing, you'll need an instrument and music. If you don't already know how to read sheet music (and if you can't, here are five reasons you should learn to read sheet music).

These are my tips for making music a more affordable pursuit for anyone wishing to learn to play.

Jon Delorey CC BY-NC 2.0 via Flickr

// Purchase the Instrument You Really Want the First Time

I know. You've probably read my advice on how to choose your first ocarina and seen that I advise new players to start out with a plastic ocarina because of the price. The reason that I suggest this is because many people choosing to play ocarina do so because it is an inexpensive instrument that is (generally) easy to learn how to play.*

If you are well and truly invested in learning to play well (as I was), then I strongly advise you to begin by purchasing the instrument you most want but can learn to play at a beginner level.

For example, I feel I should have started out with the Dragontooth ocarina from Songbird instead of with the Aria ocarina from STL. The Dragontooth is the instrument I really wanted but I bought the Aria on the advice of others and in part because it cost US$20 less than the Dragontooth did. 

Had I purchased the Dragontooth in the first place, I might have had fewer issues with the low notes (more with the high, but I'll get to that in another post) and may not have given up on playing like I did with the Aria. 

Investing more money now in the instrument you really want to play will result in spending less money further down the line. If you start with a lesser instrument, you're more likely to buy the one you wanted in the first place at some point down the road -- potentially doubling (or more) the amount you would have spent on the one you really wanted in the first place.

* Note that does not mean that it's easy to play well!

// Master that First Instrument Well Before Moving On

One of the wonderful things I've learned about playing music is that it is ridiculously addictive. What better addiction is there than playing music that calms yourself and pleases other people? Can you imagine anything more worthy of addiction? The problem is that this addiction drives us to spend money on multiple instruments because we want something "better" or "different."

When you buy that first instrument, commit to learning to play it well before moving on to another. 

This was one of my big mistakes. My guitar and ocarina get the most use, with the violin and the keyboard (which I can play but not well) gathering dust for the moment. That's because I didn't spend the time necessary to get to know them well and play them before moving on.

Now I'm lucky: I've fallen head-over-heels in love with the ocarina. But they are also an addiction. I could have mastered one before moving on to the next, but now I have four ocarinas that I play daily in order to keep them fresh. Those four ocarinas are in two keys (C and G) and two pitch ranges (Alto and Soprano). 

It's a lot to learn, and a lot of money spent learning it.

The rational choice would have been to master the first ocarina I purchased. Or better yet, to master my guitar before moving on to the ocarina. I'm happy with my choices, but I've worked hard and saved my money for the instruments that I own.

If you're on a budget, buy the one you want, and master that before buying another.

// Avoid Cheap Instruments

It's hard to be on a budget and still avoid cheap instruments. Depending on what you want to learn to play, you should expect to pay anywhere from US$25 to US$400 for your first instrument. 

If you buy your first instrument cheap, you will risk learning improperly because your instrument is out of tune. My first (and for now, only) violin came relatively cheap and is difficult to keep in tune because the tuning pegs slip out of position too easily. It comes out of tune while playing, and it's a constant fight. 

Instead of saving money, I wasted it. I might as well have thrown out the cash that I spent on this instrument at the time. Looking back, it was the worst thing I could have done.

My guitar is a good example of doing it right. I set aside a budget of US$150-$300. I figured that would be enough to get me a decent guitar to learn on. Instead of trusting myself to make the right decision about which one to buy, I went to a music store and worked with a sales person I was comfortable with to find a guitar that fit my budget. It's been with me since then and though I no longer play daily, I love that guitar. 

That was a good choice. I could have spent ten times more on an excellent instrument, or I could have spent US$100 on a lesser instrument that couldn't play in tune. I don't need something outstanding to learn on, and the first is always going to be the "best" if its quality is enough to allow it to be played in tune.

// Consider Second Hand

My flute (didn't mention I had one, did I? That's because for some reason I can no longer play it.) is a high-quality instrument that I purchased for less than US$100 at a pawn shop. It is the single most high-quality instrument I own and have ever played (apart from my childhood piano).

If you're lucky, your pawn shop doesn't know what they're selling or its actual quality. 

Music stores often have second-hand instruments available for those with a budget. Salespeople can help you to determine which instrument meets your needs and your budget, and second-hand instruments sometimes have additional character.

Second hand instruments are best purchased from pawn shops or music stores to be on the safe side, and make sure that you know what you're looking for before buying. Make sure that the instrument you're buying has all of its parts. My flute did need to be re-keyed due to a couple of bad keys -- but it was still worth the additional US$80 to do that considering the quality of the flute.

Don't turn your nose up at hand-me-downs, either!  

// Buy Books of Sheet Music

I have purchased most of my sheet music one song at a time through Music Notes, and let me tell you, it is expensive. I'm not the most frugal musician in the world, but I'm working on it! The best way to get your sheet music is to buy it in books. This will cut the cost of the music drastically.

You may also be able to find sheet music and tablature online for free -- if you know where to look for it. If you like, you can follow our Pinterest board for free sheet music.

// Share Your Suggestions

What would you suggest to someone wanting to start out in music, but who has a budget? Please add your suggestions in the comments so that other readers can learn from your experiences.

And don't forget to pin this post if it's been helpful to you!

a.otge CC BY-NC 2.0 via Flickr

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How to Choose Your First Ocarina

The ocarina makes a fantastic first instrument because of how easy it is to learn the finger positions for the notes. It comes in three basic styles: Inline, Transverse, and Pendant, and a variety of materials, including plastic, ceramic (clay), and wood. 

Prices vary from about US$10 to well into the thousands for a professional instrument. Selection can be overwhelming, especially for someone who is just starting out. 

Ocarinas are beautiful. In many cases they are made to be visually appealing. This is one of the reasons that players are so apt to collect them (I own three and have two more in the mail right now). 

The visual beauty of the instrument alone is enough reason to enjoy owning one, but the differences in sound mark a significant reason why so many people own more than two or three of these remarkable instruments.

Choosing your first might be nerve-wracking. Forums are full of people asking "which one should I buy first?" Depending on your history with music, the answer can be as simple as "Whichever one you want the most" or as complex as a list of the reasons not to jump off the deep end.

These are my tips for choosing your first ocarina, based on my experience with the instrument and the sellers mentioned in this post.

Brenderous CC-BY-SA-NC via Flickr

// Ocarina Style

Ocarinas come in three basic styles that you should consider when ordering your first ocarina: Pendant, Transverse*, and Inline.

The style you choose will depend largely on your budget. Pendant ocarinas are usually the least expensive and come in different materials and different pitch ranges. Their cost is significantly lower than the cost of a transverse ocarina in the same pitch range, but they may be more difficult to learn to play.

If you are looking for an ocarina for a child, I encourage you to consider the size of the child's hands when deciding which style to buy. Inline or pendant ocarinas are better for small hands than transverse ocarinas.

* Transverse ocarinas are sometimes called "sweet potato" ocarinas.

Pendant Ocarinas (Four and Six Holes)

Brian CC-BY-SA-NC via Flickr

Many people consider pendant ocarinas to be good ocarinas for beginners because of their low cost to buy. Some pendants cost as little as $10, and these inexpensive pendants can make good first instruments for children (who may later lose interest in playing). 

Pendant ocarinas come in various sizes, from Soprano to Bass (with soprano instruments being small and bass instruments being quite large and requiring considerable breath to play properly). The of the air chamber (the body of the ocarina) determines the pitch of the notes.

Children can do well with a soprano or possibly an alto instrument. It's best to consider not only the size of the child's hands but also her ability to sustain breath for larger instruments.

These ocarinas are intended to be worn on a cord or chain that hands them around the neck like a piece of jewelry. They are convenient for this reason and can be carried with the player to be played at moments throughout the day. Pendant ocarinas are portable and convenient.

Like other ocarinas, they come primarily in two materials: Clay and Plastic. Wooden pendents are also available but significantly more expensive. Expensive instruments are not recommended for beginners who may lose interest, and for that reason I suggest a clay pendant ocarina such as the one shown above: A Teardrop Ocarina from Focalink.

I feel strongly that at least one pendant ocarina belongs in every ocarina collection because of its on-the-go convenience and the fact that the more complicated fingerings expand the musical range of the player. They make a good starter ocarina for those who don't want to spend a lot (the one pictured costs US$19.95 on Amazon) and are convenient for traveling.

When looking at pendant-style ocarinas, I highly recommend purchasing from a trusted seller. I like the selection at Songbird Ocarinas and Focalink.

Avoid Peruvian pendant-style ocarinas, as they are (almost) never in tune.

Transverse Ocarinas (Seven, Eight, Ten, and Twelve Holes)

Michael Cochlan CC BY-SA via Flickr

Transverse, or Sweet Potato, ocarinas come with different numbers of holes, from seven to twelve (with eight and ten hole ocarinas in between). These ocarinas are generally more expensive (and if the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true).

Soprano transverse ocarinas may be a good first ocarina for older elementary school children, and teens and adults should be perfectly comfortable starting out on an alto sweet potato ocarina. The holes on these should be small enough for young fingers to cover.

Sweet potato ocarinas come in various materials, all kinds of colors, every pitch range from Soprano to Bass. Their progressive fingering makes it easy to learn the notes of the major scale. A twelve-hole ocarina (the most common design) is fully chromatic.

Clay transverse ocarinas can be somewhat heavy, and so I suggest that beginners opt for a plastic ocarina to start out on. These are lighter in weight and less expensive for beginners on a budget. Many people have had luck with Focalink's popular plastic ocarina (US$29.95 on Amazon).

I am personally a fan of the Night by Noble ocarina, which can be purchased for US$35.98 on Amazon. This was the ocarina that I bought for my best girlfriend for her birthday and it has given us both a great deal of pleasure. Stay tuned for my upcoming review of the Night by Noble.

Avoid any obviously cheap transverse ocarinas. The least expensive transverse ocarina I trust is $25 for a domestic purchase of a Focalink plastic twelve-hole!

Inline Ocarinas (Six to Twelve Holes)

mountainocarinas CC BY 2..0 via Flickr

I have an unfortunate lack of experience with inline ocarinas. The ocarinas depicted above were uploaded to Flickr by Mountain Ocarinas. It would thrill me to no end to have one of these ocarinas to test and review here on Peace Through Passion. 

Most inline ocarinas are made from wood, though they also come in clay and plastic versions as well. Mountain Ocarinas is one of the most popular sellers of inline ocarinas. This is the company I would choose to purchase an inline ocarina from if I currently had the disposable income. 

If you have any comments about inline ocarinas, I'd love to hear what you have to say in the comments!

// Ocarina Material

Ocarinas come in a variety of materials, including plastic resin, varying types of clay, wood, and even stone. 

Some ocarinas are unique because they are produced from hollowed out stones or geodes. These are too complicated for beginner ocarinas and may be impractical. If you want to play your ocarina, you want to choose something that will play in tune. 

If you're choosing for a child, I recommend a plastic ocarina from Focalink. These ocarinas are unlikely to split when they are dropped, have a good sound quality, and are relatively inexpensive. Parents or teachers of smaller children may wish to look at STL's plastic six-hole ocarina in their education section. Both are affordable ocarinas.

Adult enthusiasts should consider a plastic Night by Noble. These make a good choice because of their price (US$35.98) and because of their tone quality. Side by side, my Aria (from STL) sounds the same as my best friend's Night by Noble. The latter cost me half the price!

Until you are sure that the ocarina is the right instrument for you, I suggest starting out with something inexpensive that can handle a lot of wear. If you love it like I do, then get yourself an Aria. Of the ocarinas that I currently own, this is the one that I love the most -- but it was also my first!

// How Many Holes?

Ocarinas have a varying number of holes, from four to twelve. (I'm intentionally not including multi-chambered ocarinas since we're talking about beginner ocarinas here!)

I learned to play on a twelve-hole ocarina. Ten holes plus two-sub holes create the range of thirteen notes. The scale is played by progressively lifting each of the fingers (and thumbs) until only the pinky of the left hand remains (and is then lifted to reach the highest note of the scale). 

Four and Six hole ocarinas have a more complex fingering system that is easy enough to memorize, but which may be discouraging to those who are looking to get started quickly.

The beauty of a twelve-hole ocarina is that you don't have to play the sub-holes. If you don't, you have a ten-hole instrument with simple, progressive fingering.

My recommendation is a twelve-hole ocarina for older children and adults, with four or six-hole ocarinas being the recommendation for younger children (with small hands).

// Other Considerations

One thing I've learned over the past year is that if you don't love the ocarina you buy, you're not going to play it -- at least not at first. This is an easy instrument to learn, but a difficult instrument to master, and in order to reach the point of mastery, you'll want to spend a lot of time with your ocarina.

When I bought my first ocarina, I really wanted the Dragon Tooth from Songbird. It was more expensive than what I wanted to pay at the time and the good people at The Ocarina Network talked me down.

I found the Aria difficult to play at first, and put it down for months before picking it up again. The Dragon Tooth is much easier to play, and I wish I'd bought it first. 

(The Aria is still my favorite though!)

// Conclusions

The best ocarina for you is the one that you can comfortably hold in your hands, which has holes small enough for the size of the fingers that will be covering them, which plays in tune, and which has the visual appeal that you desire.

That's a lot to take in. 

The most important thing is to spend within your budget and to choose an ocarina that will allow you to learn without overwhelming yourself.

Which ocarina did you choose as your first? If you're still considering a first ocarina, are there any questions you have about which ocarina to choose? I haven't tried them all, but I'd love to do what I can to help, and I invite more experienced ocarina players to participate as well!

If you liked this post, please don't forget to pin it!

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