Every month's rent counts toward the price, all of it, from the first payment. When your payments reach the price, the instrument is yours. No interest, no balloon payment at the end, no credit check.

New instruments

The percussion kit is a set of orchestra bells with a stand and carrying bag, a practice pad, a pair of drumsticks and two pairs of mallets. Your child will not need a drum set for school band. (You're welcome.)

Like-new instruments

These are instruments that came back after a few months, often from a child who switched to something else. Every one is cleaned, repadded or re-oiled as needed, and adjusted at my bench, and carries the same repair coverage as a new one. There are only so many each fall, and they go first.

• Paying it off early. Pay the balance any time and take 20 percent off what's left. Grandparents like to do this at Christmas.
• Switching instruments. Everything you've paid moves to the new instrument. If the new one costs more, the months to own go up a little; if it costs less, they go down.
• Stopping. Bring it back clean and in one piece and you're done. No penalty, no notice needed. If something is broken beyond ordinary wear, I'll tell you what it costs before you leave the counter.
• Payments are due by the 10th of each month, at the store or by mail. Pay a whole school year in advance in September and take a month off.
• Repairs from ordinary use and ordinary accidents are covered while you rent. Loss and theft are not; check your homeowner's policy.
• Loaners. If your rental is in for repair, your child goes home with a loaner the same day.

Oboe, bassoon, French horn, baritone, tuba and bass clarinet are usually loaned by the school, because they cost too much for most families to rent. Ask your band director first. If the school is short, I have a few of each and will work out a rate.

For high school students ready for a better instrument (an open-hole flute, a wood clarinet, a professional trumpet), come in and try a few. Step-up instruments rent the same way, and your child's rent credit on the student instrument carries over.