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How to evaluate a violin, viola or cello?

March 23, 2013 at 8:28 AM

Even though there is an overload of information and offers on the internet, lots of people find it very difficult to find themselves a payable and playable violin, viola or cello. Certainly when it's your first instrument and you are not very experienced with bowed instruments, it seems like a big leap to select your first musical friend.

I have made a video series to make it easier for you. In this video series I compare a € 40 violin to a € 499 violin, explain the difference and give you tips to select your ideal instrument yourself.

In this video I explain how to look at common characteristics given on the internet in instrument descriptions (wood types, massive or not massive etc). This video is all about the body of the violin, viola or cello.

I hope this video is useful to you. If yes, please leave a comment below!

Have a beautiful musical weekend!

Love,

Zlata
Violinist and Skype violin teacher at Violin Lounge

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Good video. I used to think my first violin ($90 Vinci from a pawn shop special) was a cheap inferior starter instrument. I have a much better instrument now ($800 Capri Maestro). I've seen so much worse than my Vinci since. Workmanship and craftsmanship can say a lot. Even a cheap inexpensive instrument can be a decent payable instrument with a fair tone. Paint covers up bad looking wood as well as other flaws. Purfling is sometimes painted on (this can be seen by seeing if the grain goes through the purfling or not). I've seen scrolls that look like they were carved with a chainsaw. There are so many tell-tale signs to look for and buyers need to know what they are. Just because it's shiny and pretty and comes a few freebees doesn't make it worth buying.
Thanks for commenting, Kevin, I totally agree with you!

I meet so many people who first bought something terrible and wish they knew before what makes an instrument playable... EVERYBODY who wants to play violin should know this. A bad instrument can ruin someones motivation to play and I hate it when people their violin dreams are shattered unnecessarily.

I wish you happy playing on your good violin :).