Finding the best beginner violin is start of your musical journey, it should be enjoyable, educational and an exciting experience. Creating music is one of life’s gifts to yourself and the world. Being informed and educated will allow you to make the best decision for the best price. Once this hurdle is crossed you can begin to play music and benefit from the many improvements that it can bring to you or your child’s life.
1. Materials and Workmanship for Your Beginner Violin
The price of a violin is usually determined by two major factors, the quality and cost of the materials and craftsmanship. A quality violin is made from solid materials, spruce, maple, and ebony. There are many plywood and laminated instruments available and although they are more durable than solid wood they do not produce the warm rich tone that are provided from violins that are made from solid carved wood can provide. The better the violin sounds the more likely you will continue to play it, so its best not to go for the cheapest option while picking your first violin. Try them side by side, you should be able to hear the difference. Most beginner violins are factory made by hand to insure a good quality sound, more advanced violins are made by one individual maker from start to finish. A maker of violins is often called a luthier which roughly translated to “Maker of Lutes” an earlier form of string instrument. A violin made by the hand of a luthier usually takes around 200 hours and is rather costly for a beginner.
2. Find the Correct Size for the Player
Finding the perfect size violin is extremely important. Adults use full-size violins, also called “4/4.” But children will need a violins that is proportional to their body size. The wrong size instrument can create serious issues and lead repetitive strain injuries as well as the development of bad technique. It is always better to play a violin a little smaller if in doubt, avoid thinking that you will grow into it.
There are 7 common sizes of violins. The largest of the sizes is called full size or 4/4 and is usually played by anyone that is at least five foot tall. Each size of violin decreases roughly one inch in body length. It is best to ask an experienced violinist, your teacher or any staff at a reputable violin shop to help you find the right fit.
3. Price Range and Quality
The price ranges of beginner violins can vary but ideally you will want to spend anywhere from $500-$600 for the complete outfit. An Intermediate violin usually starts around $1,500 and will be a more dynamic instrument capable of producing a wider range of tonal color and volume at the musicians request. Professional violins can cost several thousand dollars up into the millions for a piece of antiquity. How much you should spend you your first violin is an entirely personal choice, our advice is spend as much as you can without breaking the bank.
Beginner Violin Outfit Model V51
Solid carved spruce top with maple back and sides
Ebony peg, finger board and chinrest
Comes with carbon fiber bow
Comes with violin case
4. Shop in store or buy online for your Beginner Violin
Shopping online is easier but make sure that you have done your homework and know exactly what you are going to get. Some online violins do not come ready to play and require some setup and adjustment just to be playable. Read reviews and ask questions as to the return policy and trade in options as you will want to upgrade this beginner violin soon and do not want your initial investment to go to waste. Shopping for a violin in a Violin Shop can and should be a great experience. Most shop owners and team members are musicians themselves and love to share their knowledge and passion with their clientele. Developing a relationship with your local shop will save you much confusion and heartache as your musical ability grows. Often Violin Shops have a great trade in policy which allows you trade any violin purchased with them in for up to 100% value toward a bigger or better instrument.
5. Should I rent or Buy?
Renting a beginner violin is a great option to get started. The up front cost is not as high as an outright purchase and it can give you time to make sure that this is something that you are going to stick with. If you decide that its not for you then you can simply return the rental, you may not get the money paid as rent back but its a a better alternative than having a violin that you paid full price for but no longer play. Check with your local instrument shops to discuss rental rates and policies. Most Violin Shops also have a rent to own option that is not that much more expensive that purchasing it outright but will allow you the option to build equity and also trade the violin in.
6. Strings and Accessories
Choosing a bow is a very personal choice, there are many options to choose from. For a beginner we usually recommend a Carbon Composite bow with real horse hair as they usually outperform a wooden bow of similar cost and are much more durable. As you advance in your ability you may want to try wooden bows made of a special wood named Pernambuco as this has been the wooden bows of choice for centuries of the worlds best violinists.
Rosin is also important, without it the violin and bow will not make any sound at all. In the beginning you do not need a fancy or expensive rosin, a simple inexpensive rosin will work. As you advance you can pick up some different types of rosin and will be able to hear the difference that they make. The final piece of the puzzle is the case, most beginner instruments will come with an inexpensive case that does just fine in protecting and carrying the violin and all of its accessories. As you upgrade your violin you can shop for better cases.
Take your time, educate yourself, ask questions to your local Violin Shop and Teacher, there are lots of violins to choose from. Let us know if you have any questions.
