← Rising Stars Music School

Books and Instruments

Your teacher picks the book and we’ll email you which one. Grab your own copy and bring it to every lesson. Practicing at home? Under each instrument is the one we recommend at each age.

Piano

Instrument for home

  • Ages 3 to 6, starting outDonner DEK-610S 61-key keyboardFull-size, touch-sensitive keys with a stand and stool, about $120.Buy on Amazon
  • Ages 7 and up, and adultsDonner DEP-20 88-key digital piano88 weighted keys with a sustain pedal, so it feels like the piano in the studio. About $320.Buy at DonnerCode RSMS for 10% off
  • Step up, any ageYamaha P-145 digital pianoYamaha's graded hammer action and grand piano sound. One to keep for years. About $530.Buy on Amazon

Books

Guitar

Instrument for home

  • Ages 5 to 9Yamaha JR1 3/4 size acoustic guitarSmall body and easy-to-press strings for small hands. Gig bag included. About $190.Buy on Amazon
  • Ages 10 and up, and adultsYamaha FG800 acoustic guitarSolid top, the best-sounding guitar at its price. About $280.Buy on Amazon
  • Electric, teens and adultsDonner DST-100 electric guitar kit with ampGuitar, practice amp, bag, tuner and strap in one box. About $176.Buy at DonnerCode RSMS for 10% off

Books

Bass

Instrument for home

  • Kids and small handsSquier Mini Precision BassA 3/4 size bass with a short neck. Needs an amp (the Donner amp below). About $210.Buy on Amazon
  • Amp for a bass bought aloneDonner DKA-20 amplifier20 watts, made for bass and keyboard. About $136.Buy at DonnerCode RSMS for 10% off
  • Teens and adultsSquier Sonic Precision Bass with Fender Rumble 15 ampFender's starter bass and a proper bass amp together. About $400.Buy on Amazon

Books

Drums

Instrument for home

  • Every drummer, to startDonner 8-inch practice pad with sticksQuiet enough for any apartment. Ten minutes a day on the pad is how hands get fast. About $36.Buy at DonnerCode RSMS for 10% off
  • A pad on a standDonner snare stand set with 12-inch practice padA double-sided pad on an adjustable stand, so it sits at snare height like the kit in the studio. Sticks and a backpack included. About $57.Buy on Amazon
  • Ages 3 to 8Vic Firth KidsticksShorter, lighter sticks sized for small hands. About $8.Buy at Musician's Friend
  • A kit at homeDonner DED-80 electronic drum kitMesh heads, quiet with headphones. Throne, sticks and headphones included. About $220.Buy at DonnerCode RSMS for 10% off
  • Step upDonner DED-200X electronic drum kitBigger mesh drums, a real kick pedal and four cymbals. About $430.Buy at DonnerCode RSMS for 10% off

Books

Violin

Instrument for home

  • Ages 3 to 11A rented violin from Flushing Violin ShopKids size up every year or two, so rent. The shop measures and fits the right size. 135-15 37th Ave, Flushing.Rent at Flushing Violin Shop
  • Ages 12 and up, and adultsFiddlerman Apprentice violin outfitFull size fits for good, so buying makes sense. Carved solid wood, bow and case included. About $490.Buy at Fiddlershop
  • Step upEastman VL100 violin outfitThe standard school-orchestra violin. About $1,075.Buy at Strait Music

Books

Voice

Book buttons open Amazon, except where a publisher sells the book directly. We’re a Donner partner school: code RSMS takes 10% off anything at Donner.