Musical instrument financing: How beginners can get started without paying full price upfront
A quality beginner instrument can make learning music easier, more enjoyable, and more rewarding. Snap Finance helps you get the instrument you want with lease-to-own financing.
Key takeaways:
Quality beginner instruments typically range from $300 to $1,500, depending on the type.
Inexpensive, low-quality instruments can make learning frustrating and discourage practice.
Mid-range instruments often hold their value better and can be resold or traded toward future upgrades.
Snap Finance can help shoppers bundle instruments, accessories, and other essentials with lease-to-own financing.
Proper care, early lessons, and planning for future upgrades can help musicians get the most value from their investment.
Learning a musical instrument is one of the most rewarding hobbies you can start, but many beginners are surprised by the cost.
While spending as little as possible may seem smart, low-quality instruments can be difficult to play, frustrating to learn on, and prone to breaking down. In many cases, they discourage practice before a new musician has a chance to build confidence.
Today, a quality beginner instrument typically costs hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the category. Add accessories, lesson materials, and basic gear, and the investment grows quickly.
For shoppers with limited financing options, Snap’s lease-to-own financing can help make quality instruments more accessible through participating music retailers nationwide.
What a quality beginner instrument actually costs
Guitar
Expect to spend between $100 and $500 for a quality beginner guitar. Look for solid-top construction, reliable tuning, and comfortable playability. Avoid ultra-cheap guitars that are difficult to keep in tune and frustrating to learn on. Electric guitars can cost more than acoustics because you’ll also need an amplifier, cable, strap, and basic accessories.
Keyboard
Budget models can cost up to $700. Serious students typically benefit from 88 weighted keys, while casual players may be comfortable with smaller models.
Drum kit
Drums are one of the most underestimated beginner purchases. Beginner drum sets can range from $300 to $700, while professional sets can soar as high as $5,000.
Trumpets
Trumpets typically cost between $400 and $1,100.
Violin and strings
A quality violin can cost between $400 and $6,000. Extremely inexpensive violins often have setup and tuning issues that make learning more difficult.
Why quality matters at the beginner level
Low-quality instruments can make learning more difficult
Music education research shows that motivation plays a crucial role in whether students continue practicing and developing their skills. A quality instrument can help create a more enjoyable learning experience, while a frustrating instrument can undermine motivation early in the process.
A guitar that won't stay in tune or a keyboard with poor key action can make practice feel like work. Many beginners mistake equipment problems for a lack of talent and give up before they make progress. A quality instrument, on the other hand, makes learning easier, more enjoyable, and more motivating.
Mid-range beginner instruments hold resale value
If your interests change or you're ready to upgrade, a quality instrument often retains some value. A well-known beginner guitar purchased for $500 may still be worth several hundred dollars later. Ultra-cheap instruments rarely have a high resale value.
Lessons are easier with quality instruments
Some teachers recommend avoiding the lowest-priced instruments because they can interfere with learning proper technique. A quality instrument helps students focus on developing skills instead of fighting the equipment.
Real instruments last decades
With proper care, a quality beginner instrument can last for many years. Some musicians continue playing the same guitar, violin, or brass instrument they started with decades earlier.
How Snap Finance works for musical instrument purchases
Apply online before you visit or in-store
You can apply online or in-store before shopping. The process typically takes just minutes and does not impact your FICO® credit score.1 You’ll also get a decision in seconds.
Find Snap-enabled music retailers
Snap Finance is accepted at thousands of retailers nationwide, including music stores. Use Store Locator to find participating locations near you.
Bundle instrument and accessories
Many participating retailers allow you to include accessories in the same lease, including cases, amplifiers, stands, lesson books, and other essentials.
Pay over time
Snap offers pay-over-time lease-to-own financing that aligns with your pay schedule, allowing you to get the instrument you need without paying the full amount upfront.
Beginner buying tips by category
Acoustic guitar
Look for solid-top construction whenever possible. In the $300 to $500 range, you'll often find guitars that offer strong sound quality and long-term durability.
Electric guitar
You may want to consider well-known brands such as Epiphone, and Yamaha. These companies offer beginner-friendly instruments that can often support years of learning.
Keyboard
For serious piano study, an 88-key weighted keyboard may be the right choice. Yamaha, Casio, and Roland all offer quality options in the beginner-to-intermediate range.
Drum kit
Electronic kits are often the best choice for apartments and shared living spaces. If noise isn't a concern, an acoustic kit may provide a more traditional playing experience.
Violin
Always get violins properly fitted, especially for children. A music teacher or instrument specialist can help determine the correct size.
After you buy
Take care of the instrument
Store your instrument properly, keep it clean, and avoid extreme temperatures or humidity. Quality instruments that are well-maintained can last for decades.
Take lessons early
The first month of learning is critical. Even a few lessons can help establish good habits, improve confidence, and speed up progress.
Use Snap's early buyout option
Snap Finance offers multiple payment plans and early ownership options that may help reduce overall lease costs. If your financial situation improves, taking advantage of these options can help you save.2
Plan for an upgrade eventually
Most musicians outgrow their first instrument within a few years. As your skills improve, consider setting aside money for future upgrades while paying down your current lease.
Start with an instrument that inspires you
A quality beginner instrument is an investment in your success as a musician. While it may cost more upfront, it can make learning more enjoyable, help you stay motivated, and remain useful for years with proper care.
If the cost of getting started feels overwhelming, Snap can help make quality musical instruments more accessible through lease-to-own financing at participating retailers.
Apply for Snap Finance to lease a musical instrument
Ready to start playing? Apply online with Snap Finance and explore pay-over-time options for your next instrument purchase.
Find Snap-enabled music retailers
Use Snap's Store Locator to find participating music retailers near you and begin your musical journey today.
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The advertised service is a lease-to-own agreement provided by Snap RTO LLC. Lease-to-own financing is not available to residents of Minnesota, New Jersey, and Wisconsin.
1Not all applicants are approved. No credit history is required. Snap obtains information from consumer reporting agencies in connection with your application; this does not impact your FICO® Score, though other credit scores may be affected.
2 The Maximum-Term Plan includes 12–18 month renewable terms and is your highest-cost option. To exercise an early ownership option, including any early buyout promotions, you must make all required payments on time and satisfy the required amount within the applicable timeframe through the customer portal or by contacting Customer Care at 1-877-557-3769. Early buyout promotions may include a cost of lease above the merchandise price. For details and limitations, refer to your lease agreement. See lease agreement for terms, details, and limitations.