Who Does a Plastic Instrument NOT Make Sense For?
January 26th, 2023 | 4 min read
Plastic instruments aren’t for everyone. There, we said it.
For a company that makes plastic instruments and wants to make music-making available to everyone, it’s a tough one to admit.
But we understand. Plastic instruments do not make sense for every person. If they were…well, you’d be playing one right now, rather than reading this blog.
Our range of pInstruments is popular with lots of different musicians. From children picking up their first instrument to returning players who are rediscovering their love of music, pInstruments are a natural choice.
But we also know that there are others who disagree. No, really, there are.
So here’s a no-holds-barred list of everyone who (probably) shouldn’t buy one of our pInstruments. If you are one of them, it’s ok: we won’t take it pErsonally.
#1 The Musician With Too Much Money
Now, we know what you’re thinking - most musicians you know don’t seem to have much money to spend. But there’s actually a sizeable contingent of muso’s who love to splash the cash.
These folk can become afflicted with a deadly condition known as GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). They are often minded to buy the priciest model of their respective instrument, before suffering from almost instant buyer’s remorse.
You can find this type of buyer at music shops, buying their fourth electronic mandolin “just in case”. You may also see this individual stroking their chin at a local music establishment, telling a band who are busy sound-checking that “yeah, I play a bit”.
Now, while we obviously would be happy to sell our pInstruments to all types of customers, our instruments are not the most expensive.
So if you prefer to spend thousands on an instrument that will gather dust in your studio (apartment), you might give our pInstruments a swerve.
#2 The Impulse Buyer
You might be buying a trumpet for yourself. You might be buying a trombone as a gift. You might be buying a keyboard because you’ve heard Elton John is retiring and this could be your moment.
So what do you type into your search engine of choice?
“cheap trumpet”
“what is the cheapest trombone?”
“best budget keyboard/giant star-shaped glasses and platform boots”
Sorry if we’re repeating ourselves but yes, you guessed it, our pInstruments are affordable. But that doesn’t mean they are the cheapest on the market.
You can find budget versions of the instruments listed above, and others available in our range. And these options might suit the impulse buyers out there.
If you are buying a novelty gift, a prop for your child’s play, or if you overspent on a really, really shiny jacket so that only the cheapest keyboard will do, a cheap-as-you-like impulse buy might suit your needs.
If you don’t want to spend big but you do want an instrument that is built to last, sounds the part, and won’t have you spending more on replacements…that’s where we might be able to help.
#3 The Session Player or Recording Artist
Ok, it’s fairly safe to say that if you are a professional musician paying to gigantic crowds, you’re probably a-ok with your current instruments of choice. Your clarinet costs more than, for argument’s sake, the typical car that a blog writer might drive.
So would a pInstrument suit professional studio musicians? Maybe not.
Would a pInstrument be a great first step for the potential next generation of professional studio musicians? Absolutely!
Our instruments are a part of a musical journey. They are often the first instruments played by children. They are designed specifically to make this introduction as engaging as possible. Why? So that young learners have so much fun with our instruments that their musical adventure goes on and on.
If a parent or educator was looking for a beginner trumpet for a child, would a silver-plated Bach Stradivarius be the instrument of choice? Would spending more than £5000 on a professional-grade, heavy, and expensive model give that child the best start on their pathway to playing the trumpet?
Compare this to a colourful, lightweight, and robust pBugle…for the grand sum of £29.99. Children can learn invaluable techniques and experience the unbridled joy of making music. They can produce a trumpet sound. They can play with others. They can master the basics and build the foundations. Everyone has to start somewhere, so why not make that first introduction as fun and friendly as possible?
Many professional players find other uses for our pInstruments: they make for great portable practice options, for example. But realistically, professional players will not be on the lookout for our instruments…unless they want an instrument to get their own family to follow in their footsteps!
#4 The Toy Shopper
Our instruments are fun.
But they are functional.
And they are instruments.
Here is a pBone in action:
Does it require x4 AA batteries? Does it fire foam bullets? Does it bark a few times and do a little backflip?
Nope. It’s a trombone, not a toy.
Our pInstruments are not designed to be serious. They are seriously fun musical instruments.
You can roll out our Carry-on keyboard and play Avril Lavinge songs at the skate park.
You can even play a pTrumpet underwater (apparently).
But if you want a remote-controlled cornet that glows in the dark, you’re going to have to look elsewhere.
So who are plastic instruments for?
The astute among you may already have read between the lines and realised that anybody looking for a well-made, quality-sounding, simple-to-play, inexpensive instrument would benefit from a pInstrument.
We realise that for some people, the words “plastic” and “instrument” might not mesh together.
“Plastic” = cheap?
Cheaper, yes, but that doesn’t have to mean a compromise on quality.
“Instrument” = premium (or expensive)?
Sure, if you’re playing in an orchestra pit for a Broadway musical. But who plays their first gig at that level?
“Plastic” = bad for the environment?
It can be. But making and transporting brass instruments wastes more CO2e. And all our pInstruments are fully-recyclable, carbon offset and built to last.
“Instrument” = pInstrument?
If you are starting out with music, if you are helping someone else to begin, if you are rediscovering your passion, if you want to share that enthusiasm, if you want to teach others, if you made it this far down the page…well, we might be a good fit. So get in touch and see if a pInstrument can make sense for you.
Adam is the Content Manager at pBone Music. This should mean that he’s the ideal person to write about himself, but he finds boasting in the third person a little awkward. He honed his word wizardry with a degree in English Language and Literature at the University of Leeds. He has since written copy for clients and businesses across the land, from awards to something beginning with “z”. He also spent a number of years as a musician. He has written pop songs and even jingles for kids, performed more first dances at weddings than you could shake a pBuzz at, and once played a gig for a pie company at The Etihad Stadium in Manchester. When he’s not reminiscing about those good old days, you might find Adam enjoying the football (although as an Everton fan, that can be difficult). He also loves spending time with his partner, Jen, and his family and friends, and sincerely hopes they feel the same way.
