We hire instruments to all children and schools in Dorset at a very low cost. You can hire a wide range of instruments from £20 for a term or from £50 for 12 months. Funding support is available to cover up to 100% of the cost for eligible pupils.
Most instruments are available for hire and usually in stock. Collections are arranged by appointment from our office in Blandford Forum. Alternative collection locations may be available on request.
Our specialist technician, Dave Gassmann, maintains all instruments to ensure they are in excellent condition.
We offer:
Within both hire options, instruments are grouped into three price bands based on their value. Learn more about instrument hire price bands.
Beginner hire is for students who are learning a new instrument. It gives them the opportunity to try an instrument for one school term before committing to a longer hire period.
Beginner hire must be booked in advance and follows school term dates. It is available once only. After the term ends, the instrument must either be returned or hired through a 12-month hire agreement.
Beginner hire fees (for one term):
You can start a hire at any time of the year. At the end of the hire period, you can renew it for another 12 months.
12-month hire fees:
We do not offer refunds when instruments are returned before the end of their hire period.
Eligible students may be able to reduce their hire costs through our Help with Fees funding support.
Complete our instrument hire request form to hire an instrument from us.
We'll contact you to confirm availability and arrange an appointment for you to collect the instrument (this will usually be on a Tuesday or Wednesday).
Collect your instrument from the Music Service offices in Blandford.
Your child is eligible for help with our instrument hire fees if they:
This support does not cover children who attend nursery or nursery school.
Financial support for pupils eligible for Targeted Free School Meals:
Financial support for pupils who are refugees, or who are a Looked After Child or Child in Care of Dorset Council:
Find out about help with music fees from Dorset Music Service and how to apply.
Continue to play after our Classroom Instrumental Learning programme.
We offer a free 12 month instrument hire for pupils who have completed a Classroom Instrumental Learning programme provided by Dorset Music Service. This reduction is for one instrument for one 12 month hire period only. Subsequent hire periods will be at full price unless students are eligible for our Help with Fees funding. Bookings have to be made by your child's school. Please contact them to find out more details.
This section is intended to give you a rough idea of the size of instrument your child will require. Please note that this is a rough guide only.
How to measure: with your child's arm fully extended and parallel to the floor, measure in centimetres from the neck to the middle of the palm.
| Size of instrument | Arm measurement | Average age of child |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 violin | 47 to 51cm | 6 to 7 |
| 1/2 violin | 52 to 56cm | 7 to 8 |
| 3/4 violin | 57 to 60cm | 9 to 11 |
| 4/4 violin | more than 60cm | 11 to 13 and over |
| 14" viola | 59 to 63cm | Not applicable |
| Size of Instrument | Age of Child |
|---|---|
| 1/4 cello | 6 to 8 |
| 1/2 cello | 8 to 10 |
| 3/4 cello | 10 to 12 |
| 1/4 double bass | 7 to 9 |
| 1/2 double bass | 9 to 13 |
| Guitar size | Height of child | Age of child |
|---|---|---|
| 1/4 guitar | 3'3" to 3'9" | 4 to 6 |
| 1/2 guitar | 3'10" to 4'5" | 5 to 8 |
| 3/4 guitar | 4'6" to 4'11" | 8 to 11 |
| Full size guitar | 5' and over | 11 and over |
Smaller, beginner flute players, usually up to the age of around 9 to 10, can sometimes benefit from a curved head joint. This reduces the stretch that little arms have to make!
Choose the right bassoon based on age, size and experience level:
Although we don't sell instruments, our team of experienced and qualified staff are always happy to offer advice and guidance on the correct, most suitable instrument for you to buy.
We're not able to recommend any specific retailers of musical instruments.
The assisted instrument purchase scheme is where a school can buy an instrument on your behalf and save you the cost of the VAT. Specific conditions have to be met so please contact your child's school for details.
