String Instruments - The Facts
Violin | When to start: | Tuition is available from year 3 |
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| Running costs | Strings will occasionally snap, these cost approximately £2 each | |
| Hire costs: | Student violins (1/2, 3/4 & 4/4 size)violins can be hired from HMS for £5 per month | |
| Purchase Price: | Student violins (1/2, 3/4 & 4/4 size)violins can be bought from HMS from £53 | |
| General: | There is a wide range of music available for this instrument. There are many performance opportunities to play in orchestras. |
Viola | When to start: | Tuition is available from year 3-4 (dependant on size) |
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| Running costs | Strings will occasionally snap, these cost approximately £2 each | |
| Hire costs: | Student violas (1/2, 3/4 & 4/4 size)violins can be hired from HMS for £5 per month | |
| Purchase Price: | Student violas (1/2, 3/4 & 4/4 size)violins can be bought from HMS for £65 | |
| General: | There is a wide range of music available for this instrument. There are many performance opportunities to play in orchestras. | |
Cello | When to start: | Tuition is available from year 4. |
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| Running costs | Strings will occasionally break, they cost about £5 each to replace. | |
| Hire costs: | Cellos can be hired from HMS for £5 per month | |
| Purchase Price | Cellos can be bought from HMS from £230 for a basic student instrument | |
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| General: | There is a wide range of music available for this instrument. There are many performance opportunities to play in orchestras. | |
Double Bass | When to start: | Tuition is available from year 4-5. |
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| Running costs | Strings rarely break on basses, but when they do they cost approximately £15 each to replace. | |
| Hire costs: | Double Basses are lent free by HMS for the first year of learning through The Endangered Species Scheme | |
| Purchase Price | ||
| General: | Bass players are in short supply, so there is always opportunities to play in many groups from orchestras to jazz bands. | |







