Where to buy used music books?

[maggiethecat]

It seems as if I'm being asked by dd's violin teacher to buy a new book every time I see him! Is there anywhere that I can get used books (eg aural training practice book + CD - Ronald Smith) at a reasonale price?

I've looked on amazon and ebay and the prices are not much different from the in store prices.

Surely there must be lots of people who've used these books and would like to sell them as they're moving on to other books?

They sometimes pop up on Ebay.

I've had a look and they seem to be new ones judging from the prices.

Anyone know of websites or other sources for reasonably priced used music books? If not, then surely this must be a business idea....

DD's school/teachers seem to keep a fair few on a library system but TBH in many cases there is so much written all over the music that it would be impossible to reuse it. What grade aural training are you looking for as we have some that are finished with.

Thanks Maria, I was beginning to despair that I was asking the ludicrous.
She's grade 1 violin. The Ronald Smith that I'm after is Book 1 (covers grades 1-3) but I'm after some other books as well, eg first steps in music theory grades 1-5 which is another ABRSM book. So many people must buy these kinds of books everyday and similarly so many must finish with them everyday?

BTW, were you the one to recommend,ages ago, a good beginner theory book? If so,which was it?

Sorry, we've not got that book, it's a grade 3 one with a slightly different title. have got the ABRSM 1-3 CDs (but TBH they were awful). Hofnote is a good online aural practice site.

The theory books were the Lina Ng ones available here:
www.thelittlewelshshop.co.uk/2008_shop_scores.html

If you email Helen she'll be able to advise on which one your DD should start with.

Maybe you could look on SchoolsTrader for 2nd hand books.

I'll also have a poke around in DD's old books and see if we've got anything useful for you.

i've got the AB guide to music theory, which covers grades 1-5. (sounds like the ABRSM one you quoted)
it cost me £5.95 new, and i use it all the time. its ISBN is 9781854724465

obviously, with most stuff i would agree with trying to get 2nd hand, but the AB guide is well worth the money to buy it new.

i find most of my music books in charity shops, but of course you can't choose what you get then...

Thanks Maria, will visit those sites. Thanks too Drayford - have you ever wondered how you could trade in used music books so that you can get the ones required at any given time? Especially in this day of recycling it can't be a bad idea....
Nickel, I bought the book since I know nowt. It is proving to be helpful to me so that I can explain on to dd.

are there music books on readitswapit?

I'm afraid all the theory books I've found in the attic are too much written on. Sorry...

Perhaps us parents of musical children could set up something here on mumsnet?

Shall I contact Mumsnet Towers with a view to adding a music books/instruments section on the buying selling section?

What do you think?

I think that's fantastic idea. I suppose you will have instances where the book is so marked up that it could not be re-used but if people knew they could easily sell/exchange them on they might make pencil markings instead which could be erased.
Let me know what MNHQ have to say.

I always use pencil on my pupils books and offer to buy them back at half price when they have finished with them (if in good condition)- then I sell them on to the next student at a small profit (what I would get in commission from music shop for the full price book) and then buy it back at half the price they paid and so on. They keep their theory books though as something that is covered in grade 1 won't be covered again at grade 3 but you might need to refer back to it.

I buy music on Trade Me - which is the NZ version of Ebay.

I also buy from Music Room, which feels cheap to me as here in NZ we have VAT on music and also import duty and a 6 pound book can be $30 (more than twice the price)

Just a thought but the school of music on Saturday mornings sometimes has a stall selling them. Do you have one near you?

Thanks cat64 - will suggest it to teacher and see what he says. Never heard of school of music thedolly but will have a look.

drayford and maggiethecat
Great idea about buying and selling music here - we've got loads of stuff that needs sorting out - especially early grade piano and violin books. Seem to spend a fortune on it all. Of course the ABRSM pieces date, but scales etc don't.

Drayford, have you contacted HQ - if not I could have a go altho I've never done it.

Thirtypence, do music teachers really get a commision from the music shop when they buy music? That would explain why dd's teacher insists on buying the music for us, even though I'd rather buy it (cheaper) online.

Sorry Maggiethecat - not been around for several days, but contacting MN is on my long list of things to do - will get to it tomorrow and will report back! Perhaps you should contact them as well - strength in numbers etc etc