How to Get Your Parents to Buy You a Better Instrument

You've been playing your instrument for five years now.  Your teacher keeps saying you need a better one, and you're frustrated on your own.  You don't like the way it sounds, responds, or feels.  But your parents don't seem to understand that you really do need a new instrument.  What to do?

First of all, practice your butt off.  You need to show your parents that you're really serious about this.  How do you expect them to believe you're serious if you only pick up your instrument a couple times a week?  And I'm talking serious practice, and make sure you do it when they can hear you.  Practice in different rooms of the house, so if they don't notice you in your bedroom, maybe they'll notice you in the living room.

Show you're committed to it by raising your own funds.  Save your allowance, see if you can get some kind of a job, even mowing lawns or weeding.  Ask your friends for help to throw a car wash.  Hold a garage sale.  Put up a lemonade stand.  Take your instrument downtown and play on a street corner.  (You may need a license for one or all of these.  Do try to do things legally.)

Get your teacher to talk to your parents.  Coming from a kid, "I need a new violin" doesn't usually have as much weight as your teacher discussing with your parents the advantages of a new instrument.

Ask your parents to take you to at least try out some different instruments.  If they can hear the difference in sound as you play different instruments, that might be the deal-breaker.

Finally, talk to your parents about what a new instrument for you will do for them.  Point out that college scholarships can be won on a nicer instrument, while you may not have a chance on your current one.  Mention career possibilities; even if you don't want to play music professionally, you might just end up down that road.

If your parents still don't see the light, and you've done all the above, keep raising your own funds.  You will eventually have enough on your own.  And while you're at it, ask your teacher to keep his or her eyes and ears out for a bargain.  They do come along occasionally.

Good luck, and happy playing!