Yes!

Please contact us by phone or email and we'll help you with your voucher purchase.

(02) 9524 0326

retail@beatoftheshire.com.au

Yes! We always provide instruments for beginners, both adults and children. The focus is to help you get an instrument at a beginner friendly budget that will encourage you spend time practicing your instrument, not just a toy that could discourage many new players.

Yes.

We fulfil many special orders for customers, if you're after a particular product that's out of stock please call us at (02) 9524 0326 or email retail@beatoftheshire.com.au.

Yes, items listed as in stock on our website are always available in store at 348 Port Hacking Road, Caringbah for you to try out before making a purchase.

(Products where hygiene is a concern, such as harmonicas or microphones may not be tried prior to purchase).

Electric drum kits are a brilliant option for anyone who is space or volume conscious. With the technology in modern electric drums kits improving so much in the last few years good electronic drum ktis are a great option both in sound and feel for many drummers

Drumsticks have two main variabilities; size and material.

The general 'standard' for most drummers is a 5A size stick made of hickory, so this is the most common recommendation for new drummers to use but if you're looking for something different there's plenty of options.

Maple offers a lightweight material compared to hickory, while Oak is a heavier feeling stick.

If trying different sizes, 7A is also a very popular stick, being slightly thinner and shorter than 5A, while 5B is the same length as 5A but slightly thicker.

Keyboards usually come with a wide range of sounds, lighter feel to the keys. They are also a smaller more portable option all available at a budget suitable for beginners or musicians looking to add something different to their collection of instruments.

Digital pianos, as the name suggests are much closer to an acoustic piano than a keyboard is. The sound and feel of the keys will be very accurate to an acoustic piano, but without the maintenance, size or price requirements of an acoustic piano.

There's a few considerations to make with your first guitar, such as budget, size and your playing style.

• Classical (Nylon String) Acoustic Guitars: Are one of the most popular beginner guitars as they're the most budget friendly option, and available in many sizes. They're also lightweight and the nylon strings are more gentle on your fingers.
• Steel String Acoustic Guitars: Offer a brighter sound that appeals to most players over a nylon string guitar, still with different shapes and sizes available you'll be able to find a guitar comfortable for you.
• Electric Guitars: While heavier than acoustic guitars, electric guitars offer some of the smallest necks and bodies so can be a brilliant option for beginners struggling to wrap their hands around a bigger guitar. Not only can an electric guitar be the best sounding guitar for players really looking to rock out, but with most amplifiers providing headphone options you can actually get your practice done nearly silently on an electric guitar.

The two most common shapes/sizes for steel string acoustic guitars are commonly referred to as 'Dreadnought' and 'Folk' sizes. These are both a full scale length or full size guitars, the body size is slightly larger with a dreadnought, usually providing a fuller sound projection, while the smaller folk size body is easier for many players to sit or stand with comfortably.

The best way to find which fits you is to come on in to the store to try out some guitars and see what fits you best.

For guitar players restringing their guitar for the first time we often recommend sticking with what might have come on the guitar originally. While both thicker and thinner strings are an option for most guitars, here is a general rule of thumb;

Classical (Nylon String) Guitar: Normal tension classical strings such as D'addario EJ27N or Dunlop DCV100NS

Acoustic (Steel String) Guitar: 12 gauge steel strings such as Ernie Ball 2003 or Elixir E11052

Electric Guitar: 9 gauge electric strings such as Ernie Ball 2223 or Elixir E12002

Certainly, we're always available in store at 348 Port Hacking Road, Caringbah or on the phone at (02) 9524 0326 to help our customers find the best suited instrument to them.