Keyboard - Where To Buy
We suggest visiting your local music shop - the staff should be able to assist you with the specifics of buying a keyboard (as there can be so many options to consider!). Keyboards are widely available at almost any music instrument retailer, at stores like KMart/BigW/Target and from various online sellers.
You will need a keyboard with at least 49 keys (and more is fine, with 88 being the same size as a piano). The keys must be full size (i.e. same size as piano keys).
As a general price guide, somewhere in the range of $100 to $300 can buy you a suitable beginners keyboard. If you want to spend a little more (for instance, $500) you will be able to purchase a great quality keyboard which will last a long time. Casio, Roland, and Yamaha are all good brands, and provide different options depending how many functions you would like. A recording function is always useful as your child can record their practice and listen back - a great tool for self-improvement.
A pedal attachment is not necessary for beginners, but we always recommend it is good to have eventually - simply because it's great for kids to explore the different sounds they can create on a keyboard (the pedal sustains the sound). Students normally start using the pedal once they are at an intermediate to advanced level.
Acoustic Guitar - Where To Buy
Buying a guitar can be very confusing as they come in all shapes, sizes and types - right down to the various types of strings!
Regardless of where you purchase a guitar, please always use nylon strings for beginner students as they are much easier to play than any other kind of string. We also recommend students have access to a tuner (there are many options including free apps). The exact guitar sizing will depend on your child’s size, but commonly younger students purchase a ½ or ¾ sized guitar.
Guitars are widely available at almost any music instrument retailer, at stores like KMart/BigW/Target and from various online sellers.