Borrowed Notes

Overview

Borrowed Notes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping adults start or reconnect with their musical journey. We provide access to instrument rentals, personalized lessons, and a supportive community, creating a space where adults can explore music at their own pace. We believe it’s never too late to make music. Our mission is to empower adults by removing barriers to music education, offering the tools and support they need to embark on or continue their musical journeys with confidence and joy.

Behind the Brand

How It Started

Borrowed Notes began with a personal search: I was looking to rent an instrument but quickly discovered how difficult and expensive that could be. Most rental programs are designed for school-aged students, with very few options available for adults who aren’t enrolled in formal lessons. That initial frustration sparked a bigger question: Why is it so hard for adults to access music education and resources without breaking the bank?

From that moment, the idea for Borrowed Notes started to take shape. I began digging into the broader issue, not just from my own experience, but through conversations and research with others in similar positions. I found that many adults wanted to explore music again or learn for the first time, but were discouraged by high costs, intimidating learning environments, or simply not knowing where to start.

Research & Insights

To better understand the needs of this often-overlooked group, I spent time listening. I talked to adults who felt discouraged from learning music because of cost or the belief that they’d missed their window. I heard from teachers who said they wanted to support adult learners, but didn’t have the right tools or structure. I looked at what was already out there and saw a huge gap.

This research, combined with my own experience, shaped the foundation of Borrowed Notes. It needed to be:

Welcoming – free of pressure, perfectionism, or judgment.
Accessible – both in terms of pricing and entry points.
Supportive – offering not just lessons, but instrument rentals, community, and encouragement at every step.

Designed to Play

Building the Brand

The name Borrowed Notes came from the idea that music is something we share, no one owns it, and you don’t need to be perfect to take part. It felt like a fitting reminder that you can jump in at any time, with whatever you have.

When it came to building the brand, I focused on keeping things approachable. The tone is friendly, a little playful, and always encouraging. I wanted it to feel like you're chatting with a good friend who believes in you, not a stern teacher or
a polished performer.

Everything is designed with flexibility in mind: easy instrument rentals, lessons tailored for personal goals, and a space where progress is celebrated in all forms and not just hitting the "right" notes.

Borrowed Notes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping adults start or reconnect with their musical journey. We provide access to instrument rentals, personalized lessons, and a supportive community, creating a space where adults can explore music at their own pace. We believe it’s never too late to make music.
Our mission is to empower adults by removing barriers to music education, offering the tools and support they need to embark on or continue their musical journeys
with confidence and joy.

The Borrowed Notes music notebook gives you 8 staff lines on every page, great for writing down tunes, chords, and creative sparks.

These reversible door hangers are made for musicians who need to protect their practice time and let others know when it’s okay to make noise again.

Using Dynamic Language

The “Quiet Please” side uses ppp (pianississimo, or “very, very soft”) with a decrescendo line to signal that focused practice, a lesson, or recording is in progress. It’s a gentle, creative way to request a quiet environment, free from interruptions.

Flip it over to see "Get Loud" where fff (fortississimo, or "very, very loud") is underlined by a crescendo. This side lets others know the session is over, or that quiet is no longer needed and it’s safe to knock, talk, or go about daily noise. It also works as a playful invitation for louder jamming, socializing, or full-volume creativity.

Borrowed Notes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping adults start or reconnect with their musical journey. We provide access to instrument rentals, personalized lessons, and a supportive community, creating a space where adults can explore music at their own pace. We believe it’s never too late to make music.
Our mission is to empower adults by removing barriers to music education, offering the tools and support they need to embark on or continue their musical journeys
with confidence and joy.

Musical Mindset

"Play. Learn. Inspire." (repeat!) reflects a core truth of musical practice: the process of learning music is ongoing and that’s something to embrace. On the website, these three words help users easily navigate our offerings:

Play is where the journey begins. It reflects our belief that music should be fun, accessible, and pressure-free. With a large library of affordable instrument rentals, this is the entry point for rediscovering creativity through sound.

Learn anchors our commitment to inclusive music education. With lessons tailored to your pace, background, and lifestyle, Borrowed Notes makes learning feel possible and enjoyable.

Inspire is about connection, sharing progress, celebrating growth, and encouraging others. Whether it's stories from fellow learners or ways to stay motivated, this space exists to remind you that you’re not doing this alone.

Borrowed Notes is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping adults start or reconnect with their musical journey. We provide access to instrument rentals, personalized lessons, and a supportive community, creating a space where adults can explore music at their own pace. We believe it’s never too late to make music.
Our mission is to empower adults by removing barriers to music education, offering the tools and support they need to embark on or continue their musical journeys
with confidence and joy.