How to afford a musical instrument for your child
When your children have a dream it is so hard to tell them you can’t afford to help them pursue it isn’t it?
Family budgets are increasingly stretched but we all want to see our children develop skill and talents and encourage them in their learning, Can I have a guitar/piano/cello is a question that can make a parent’s heart sink. It’s not like saying no to the latest faddy game is it. You know learning how to play piano or cello is a great thing for your child to want to do but the cost!
The top benefits of playing an instrument according to parents in a recent survey by Take it Away include:
- Increases self-confidence
- Improves coordination skills
- Teaches discipline
- Improves focus at home
- Teaches how to work with others
- Improves focus at school
- Improves general well-being
Siobhan Freegard, Founder of Netmums.com says, ‘Music shouldn’t be seen as a luxury, solely for the children of the well-off but we only have to look at the conversations between the million mums who visit Netmums every week to see that most families in this country are struggling and day-to-day finances are a real worry.
“So it’s no wonder nearly 90% of the parents that took part in this research said they thought the costs associated with learning an instrument are prohibitive to many families. This is why schemes like Take it away are so important!”
The Arts Council England’s Take it away scheme provides interest-free loans to parents who want to buy an instrument. They really want to encourage a love of music and of learning to play.
Parents are able to apply for interest-free loans of between £100 and £5,000 for the purchase of any kind of instrument, and spread the cost over 9 or 18 monthly repayments with a 10% initial deposit. The scheme is offered through a network of over 300 music shops across England. The local guitar shop near me Fuzz Guitars is part of the scheme and I think it is a marvellous idea. For too long the arts have been mainly accessible to wealthy kids. This helps to bridge the gap.
So far almost 65,000 people have benefitted from the scheme to purchase musical instruments and accessories valued at more than £43 million. As well as being open to parents purchasing an instrument for their child, it is also available to 18-25 year olds who can apply for themselves.
Take it away aims to support aspiring young musicians whether they’re complete beginners, talented amateurs, or in the case of the 18-25 year olds, potentially developing a career. People can find out more by visiting www.takeitaway.org.uk or calling 020 7973 6434.
Take it away is also involved as a partner in the second national Learn to Play Day (LTPD) on Saturday 16 March 2013. Organised by Music for All, the national charity for the UK musical instrument industry, the day will see music shops across the country open their doors to the public and offer free taster music lessons on a variety of instruments.
See www.learntoplayday.com.
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