Changing tastes, and the electric guitar, killed band instruments. Three or four people could replace a 19 piece dance band. The economics were overwhelming. W

Changing tastes, and the electric guitar, killed band instruments. Three or four people could replace a 19 piece dance band. The economics were overwhelming. While it's surely a blip and not a trend, there's a shortage of band instruments right now. I just donated my student flute to a nearby music store, and they said they had 40 kids on the waiting list for flutes. The Elkhart brands still exist, but a lot of instruments are made in China. I think people are still interested in music, but electronics have taken over. Today even electric guitars are in decline.