BEST VIOLINS FOR BEGINNERS – HOW TO CHOOSE A VIOLIN? – Beginner to Advanced


BEST VIOLINS FOR BEGINNERS – HOW TO CHOOSE A VIOLIN?

BEST VIOLINS FOR BEGINNERS – HOW TO CHOOSE A VIOLIN

Hey everyone,
How do you choose the best violin for beginners? We get this question on a regular basis, so it is definitely something we were looking forward to writing about. Most beginners find that they don’t really know where to start when it comes to purchasing their first violin. Here is some starter information on how to choose the best violins for beginners.

VIOLINS COME IN MANY DIFFERENT SIZES

A 4/4 size violin is the largest violin you can get and is considered a full-size violin for adults.  Most adults will use a 4/4 full-size violin. For a child, a good step when in the process of picking out a violin is to go into a violin shop, even if you don’t intend to make a purchase at that time. They will help fit your child to the correct size. Depending on the size of your child’s reach, a fractional size may be the right size.

Here are the different sizes. The smallest is 1/16 (just 9 inches or 23 cm), 1/10, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 7/8, and 4/4 or full size (about 14 inches or 36 cm)

VIOLIN OPTIONS

I’ll give you 3 levels of violins that would be appropriate to get you started in 3 different price ranges.

OPTION #1

The first is the least expensive by far out of the three. This will have an upgrade of wood quality over the standard fair of cheap student china violins. It will sound a little better, play a little easier, and stay a little better in tune over most of your inexpensive under $100 violins.

Size 4/4 (Full Size), Black Solid Wood – Flamed, 1-Piece Violins w/Case, Tuner, Shoulder Rest, Bow, Rosin, Bridge & Strings – Adult, Kids

This comes in at under $200 and would be an upgrade over your basic model.

OPTION #2

The second one is quite a step up in quality, and in price. It’s hand varnished, and features an Engelman Spruce top, and is Hand Varnished. The less expensive Made in China violins will be lacquer finish, lacquer finish is the same type of finish that might use on a dining room table. It’s hard and durable but doesn’t allow the violin to vibrate as much as it needs too, to sound good. This is why cheap Chinese violins sound so tinny. The Engelman Spruce Top is also a huge upgrade in the quality of wood, upgrading the warmth of the tone coming out of the violin. This violin comes in at just under $900.

Violin 4/4 Full Size with Open Clear Tone with Dominant Strings, Case, Bow, Rosin, and Shoulder Rest

OPTION #3

The third opinion is the best option, as the grade of wood gets higher yet to Apline Italian Spruce. What this means is that they’ve taken wood from a pine tree that only grows at a certain elevation, on the mountainside. In this environment, the wood produces the best sound that comes from these types of woods typically. This is also the next step up in craftsmanship as well, as the wood is “graduated”.

What this means is that the luthier spent the time to “tonally” carve the top, bottom, and sides so that the violin will have a complex depth of tone, and moreover, sound even as you make your way through the strings. Also, this violin is hand varnished.

When you pair the features of high-quality wood, high-quality craftsmanship, and high-quality finish, you’ll have a louder instrument that responds to your playing, allowing you the play better faster.

Old Spruce  4/4 Full-Size Violin

This is around $1,500 and you have the option of getting a one-piece back violin for around $2,000. However, not necessary, unless you would like to have only one glued joint and an upgrade in sound quality.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

What was the thing that happened to get you interested in learning to play the violin?

PRO TIP 

Tuning Pegs Slipping – Are you are having trouble keeping your tuning pegs from slipping once you get your instrument?  To alleviate this problem you can use peg drops or peg paste to stop this from happening. When you get violin tuning pegs that are made out of ebony, they will typically stay in tune a little better than the sandalwood tuners made for the very cheap violins.

OTHER ARTICLES YOU MAY ENJOY

Hopefully, this article on how to choose the best violins for beginners has been helpful. We really hope this helps depict what’s available in the marketplace for students and gives you some background data on why they are priced as they are. This information should help you make a well-informed decision when you pick out your first or next violin. Every one of these violins is available in fractional sizes as well. It’s just important to remember to get fitted so you have the correct size.

Wishing you the best!
Chuck and Sandi Millar
Lesson Pros

BUDGET UNDER $100 RECOMMENDATION

This violin will do the trick if your budget is under $100. If you can squeeze a little bit more out of your budget go with Option #1 above – Wood Violin – 4/4 Size

 

 

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