Lots of people played music in the past and still have an instrument kicking around in the garage, unused. Why not connect those instruments with young students who need an inexpensive option? We threw in music rooms and pro services like piano tuning too.
Hey, I'm the maker of MusicTime, a low-cost & local way for music students to rent music instruments, and help musicians (former or current) generate a little cash for instruments they aren't using anyway. Shout out to Mike Williams, the name is inspired by his StudioTime concept. :)
As the owner of a music school (funmusic4u.com), I often get asked about renting instruments. For a lot of parents who can afford the best in music lessons, jumping online and paying for 1st month, last month and maybe a deposit isn't a big deal. But there are a lot of students (or multi-child families) who struggle to cover the cost of rentals on top of lesson tuition. And there is a whole strata of students who don't have access to any music education at all.
I have a couple of instruments myself, kicking around, that I don't use and would happily rent out. I may never sell my viola because of it's sentimental value, but renting it out at low cost for the benefit of a music student - sure!
Probably there are a lot of instruments in garages or the corner of a room waiting for young musicians to play them. We've made it possible to rent the room along with the piano (easier than moving the piano!), and music rooms can also be listed for rehearsals or recitals.
Orphaned instruments probably need a little TLC to get them ready to play, so professional tuners and instrument repair specialists can also list their services. To help authenticate listings, we have provided for vetted pro musicians to evaluate local instruments and music rooms for a small fee, so students can be assured instruments is in good working order, and that listings are as represented.
Of course, I hope MusicTime becomes a valued resource in our local town, for my own music school students. But the bigger goal is thousands of students across the US able to try out instruments in a cost-effective way, fall in love with playing music and add their creative mix to the cultural mash-up that is American Culture.
Would you rent out music instruments you no longer use to student musicians? As a musician, would you be interested in authenticating MusicTime listings?
I'd love feedback from parents, students and musicians! Feel free to get in touch.
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