Soon NY X Ko Sone RR Making Music Strikes The Right Note With American Families (NAPSA)-—-If music is the great love in your household, you have lots of company. One out of every two American families has at least one budding musician. To keep the search for a musical instrument harmonious, many families have discovered that shopping online is a good prelude to getting the best buy. Howbig is this trend? Consider this, more than 1,400 guitars are sold on eBayevery day. Here are some tips from experts that should play well with parents: * Do your researchoffline. Tha way, before you sit down at the computer, you'll knowthe instrument’s make and model. * Check past prices. Make sure you know what the instrument you like typically selis for. For example, you can go to a site such as eBay, and search completed auctions to see how much other people have paid for similar instruments. * Buy from a trusted seller. On most auction Web sites, sellers are rated by previous buyers. Check their feedback and read the comments. * Finally, pay with a credit eard. This will protect you if the instrument you bought is damaged or never arrives. NOTEWORTHY—American families take making music seriously. One auction site sells more than 1,400 guitars a day. It’s also noteworthy to pomt out that there are benefits te studying and playing music, beyond what's in the score. Its been shown that music students generally cutper- form non-music students on achievement tests in reading and math. This also strikes a respon- sive chord with colleges. Some universities recruit students who played in the scheol orchestra or band. At Stanford University, for example, professors feel that students with a music background are more apt at handling afull academic load. For more information, visit www.ebay.com.
