We offer a huge number of instruments for hire which can be overwhelming. Choosing a suitable instrument can depend on basic factors such as age and height – you wouldn’t pick a tuba for your 6-year-old, for instance! But, don’t worry, our experienced Music Resources team is on-hand to give you any guidance you might need.

You can call us on 01622 358442 or email us at musicresources@kent-music.com. Please note that the hire of instruments is subject to availability.

You can hire an instrument for as long as you like! Our minimum hire period is one term (Autumn, Spring, Summer) but our Agreement with you continues until you decide that you don’t want to hire an instrument anymore.

Just make sure that you let us know as soon as possible so that we can organise the return of the instrument – we ask for a minimum of half a term’s notice.

No, you don’t! We can organise instrument hire for you whether you have lessons with us or not. However, the price of your instrument hire will be discounted if you are a Kent Music student. See more information on this in our cost breakdown.

Yes – go for it! We welcome hirers of all ages and abilities. It’s never too late to give playing an instrument a go!

Prices for hires in the 2021 – 22 academic year, starting from 1 September 2021:

£20* per term if taking lessons with Kent Music 
£40* per term if not taking lessons with Kent Music

*Please note that further charges will apply where accidental damage or loss are concerned 

Prices for hires in the 2022 – 23 academic year, starting from 1 September 2022:

The price for hiring an instrument depends on which one you choose (see table below).

To reward our students, hirers who are receiving Kent Music lessons will receive a 35% discount for instrument hire. You can find out more about lessons with us on our Music Lessons page.

Prices are charged per full term (Autumn, Spring and Summer). You will be charged a full term’s hire if you start or end your hire part-way through the term.

You don’t need to pay anything until you receive an email invoice from us. We will invoice you at the beginning of each full term (Autumn, Spring and Summer) or within two weeks of your hire if your agreement starts later in the term.

You can log into your Kent Music account to make payment and keep track of your activity, or we can accept card payments over the phone.

Kent Music offers a Financial Assistance scheme for students aged 5 to 18 years who are living in and attending school in Kent (excluding Medway). You can find out more on our Financial Assistance page. If Financial Assistance is granted, you will be entitled to hire one musical instrument free of charge per student.

You can apply for instrument hire here, or via the ‘Apply Here’ buttons on this page. Once you have set up your Kent Music account and completed a form, we will process your application and get an instrument ready for you.

Yes, you can! You will be charged per instrument for hire.

If the instrument you have applied for is out of stock, we will put you on a waiting list and inform you as soon as an instrument is available.

The Music Resources team will also be able to suggest alternative instruments or direct you to other providers who may be able to assist you in the meantime.

Once your instrument is ready, a member of the Music Resources team will contact you to arrange the collection of the instrument from either our office at Turkey Mill in Maidstone or our warehouse in Aylesham near Canterbury. Collection is by appointment only.

Depending on the instrument you hire, Kent Music will provide you with the following items free:

1 x reed

1 x pot of grease

1 x set of strings (already on instrument)

1 x bottle of oil

1 x cloth/pull-through

1 x chin rest

1 x rosin

You will be responsible for purchasing all subsequent items yourself.

If your instrument is broken, please contact the Music Resources team immediately on 01622 358442 or email musicresources@kent-music.com.

Do not try to fix the instrument yourself! Kent Music repairs all fair wear and tear free of charge, but we will need to charge you for the repair or replacement of any instrument that is damaged or lost.

With this in mind, we strongly recommend that you insure your instrument. You can either add it to existing contents insurance or by taking out specific musical instrument insurance, e.g. Allianz Musical Insurance.

If you no longer wish to hire your instrument, please contact the Music Resources team on 01622 358442 or email musicresources@kent-music.com.

We will arrange an appointment with you to return the instrument to either our office at Turkey Mill in Maidstone or our warehouse in Aylesham near Canterbury.

Please note, you must give us half a term’s notice before ending your hire agreement.