“Violins” and “Fiddles” are the same instrument, but we can play different types of music on them. Both are really fun!

Ukulele is a great beginner instrument - and surprisingly versatile! Great for small hands, and transitions well to guitar.

 

Steel string guitars are perfect for a wide range of styles. They can be played with the fingers as well as a pick.

We recommend classical guitars for students age 11 and under. The nylon strings are easier on the fingers, plus there are better quality options in smaller sizes. Some adult students may prefer the classical as well for it’s smooth tone.

 

Wonderful for music theory and writing songs - you can’t go wrong with this instrument.

If you love those low, mellow tones this is the way to go.

 

Enjoy those low tones and being the support to the ensemble? This is the instrument for you!

Sometimes you just need to play some banjo. There is nothing else like it!

 

Violin Kits

 

1/4 Size Violin for Ages 6-7

1/8 Size Violin for Ages 5-6 

 

3/4 Size Violin for Ages 10-11

1/2 Size Violin for Ages 8-9

 

4/4 Size Violin for Ages 12 - Adult

 

Prefer to rent a violin?

The Baroque Violin Shop will ship a violin right to your door for a low monthly price.

Please see above for sizing.

Sponge 

Some of the above violin kits will come with a shoulder rest. At Kat Starr Music, we value relaxation while playing and using sponge instead of a shoulder rest will help.

 

Violin sponge for 1/4 - 1/2 size

Violin sponge for 1/8 size

 

Tuner

Violin sponge for 3/4 - 4/4 size

 

String Swing - Violin

Violin Strings

Music stand

Bow Grip

 

Steel String Guitar Recommendations

 

Ready to play guitar?

Here’s what you’ll need to get started!

 


New students need:

Eventually you will also need:

Some options you may want:

Books

Hal Leonard Guitar Method, - Complete Edition: Books 1, 2 and 3 Together in One Easy-to-Use Volume! Plastic Comb by Will Schmid and Greg Koch

Easy Classical Guitar Duets: Book/Online Audio by Charles Duncan

Fifty Easy Classical Guitar Solos by Jerry Willard

Graded Guitar Duets by Mel Bay

Bluegrass Fakebook by Bert Casey

Four-Hour Bluegrasss Workout by Steve Kauffman

Case

Guitar

Tuner

Music stand 

Capo

Picks 

String Winder/Wire Cutter

Strings

Guitar Stand

Foot Rest 

Wall Hanger 

Classical Guitar Recommendations 

Hands Playing.jpg

Ready to play classical guitar?

Here’s what you’ll need to get started!

New students need:

Eventually you will also need:


Some options you may want:


Books

Hal Leonard Guitar Method Complete Edition by Will Schmid and Greg Koch

Bluegrass Facebook by Bert Casey

Easy Classical Guitar Duets by Charles Duncan

Steve Kaufman’s Four-Hour Bluegrass Workout for All Instruments

Fifty Easy Classical Guitar Solos by Jerry Willard

This 1/4 size guitar does not come with a gig bag, so you will need to purchase one separately.

Be sure to specify the correct size when checking out.

 1/4 Size guitar for ages 5-6

1/2 Size guitar for ages 7-8

This 3/4 size guitar does not come with a gig bag, so you will need to purchase one separately.

Be sure to specify the correct size when checking out.

3/4 size guitar for ages 9-11

4/4 size guitar for ages 12 and up

Soprano size ukulele for ages 5 and 6

Tenor size ukulele for ages 7 and up - beginner quality

Tenor size ukulele for ages 7 and up - intermediate quality

 

 Ukulele Recommendations

Ready to play the Ukulele?

Here’s what you’ll need to get started!

New students need:

Eventually you will also need:

Some options you may want:

Ukulele - Low G string only

Ukulele Capo

Soprano Size Full Set of Strings with Low G

 

 Tenor Size Full Set of Strings with Low G

Ukulele hanger

 Ukulele Stand

Keyboard Recommendations

Ready To Play keyboard?

Here’s what you’ll need to get started!

 
 
 

Keyboard with weighted keys, pedal, and stand

 

I Want a Real Piano

That’s great! It’s also usually quite easy to find upright pianos that are being given away regularly! You can search Facebook Marketplace, GoLsn, local newspapers, for these free gems. The only catch is that you will probably have to move it (or pay to have it moved) yourself. And then because they are acoustic instruments with many, many strings, they will need to be tuned by a professional piano tuner. Luckily, we have piano tuners in town that are great to work with! Preston’s Piano (931-510-1685) here in Cookeville is a wonderful resource for piano maintenance.

 

Books

Sightreading Books:

Bastien Series:

Faber & Faber Series:

Beginner Repertoire:

Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course, Level 1

Practical Piano Skills by William and Constance Starr

Favorite Children Songs by Bill Boyd

Alfred’s Basic Piano Course Lesson Book, Level 1A

Intermediate Repertoire:

First 50 Popular Songs You Should Play on the Piano

First Lessons in Bach, Complete

Pop Hits for Kids

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course Lesson Book, Book 2

Piano Adventures Performance Book, Level 3A

Standchen - Serenade - Piano Solo

Piano Literature, Volume 1

Piano Literature for the Intermediate Grades - Volume 3

Cello Recommendations

Ready to play cello?

Here’s what you’ll need to get started!

 

Renting a cello is recommended for all beginners, regardless of age.

The Baroque Violin Shop will ship a cello right to your door for a low monthly price.


Choosing a Size

(Sizes are approximate and vary with height of individual.)

Age 5-7 - 1/8-size cello

Age 7-9 - 1/4-size cello

Age 9-11 - 1/2-size cello

Age 11-13 - 3/4-size cello

Age 13 and older most likely can use a 4/4 size cello.

Adults with smaller builds may stay at the 7/8 or 3/4-size.

 Banjo Recommendations

Ready to play the banjo?

Here’s what you’ll need to get started!

New students will need:

Eventually you will also need:


Some options you may want:


Books


For Beginners:

For Intermediate Students:

Bass Guitar Recommendations 

Ready to play Bass guitar?

Here’s what you’ll need to get started!


New students will need:

  • Instrument - please talk to Clay before making a purchase. He will help you find the most bang for your buck, as well as an instrument that is appropriate for the student’s frame. (Contact Clay here)

  • Music stand

  • Tuner


Eventually you will also need:


Some options you may want:


Books

Hal Leonard’s Music Theory for Bassists by Sean Malone

Bass Standards

Hal Leonard’s Easy Pop Bass Lines

Hal Leonard’s More Easy Pop Bass Lines

Hal Leonard’s Even More Easy Pop Bass Lines

Viola Recommendations 

Ready to play viola?

Here’s what you’ll need to get started!


New students need:

You may also want

Books in order

I can Read Music, Volume 1 by Joanne Martin

Scale System (for Viola) by Carl Flesch

42 Studies - Viola by Rudolphe Kreutzer

Six Cello Suites, S. 1007-1012 by J.S. Bach

Suzuki Viola School, Volume 1

School of Violin Technics, Op. 1, Book 1 by Henry Schradieck

 

 Drum Recommendations

Ready to play the Drums?

Here’s what you’ll need to get started!

New students need:

 Mandolin Recommendations

Ready to play the mandolin?

Here’s what you’ll need to get started!

New students need:


Eventually you will also need:


Some options you may want: