Tips on persuading my parents to buy a new violin or bow?

May 25, 2016 at 01:18 AM · Well, I would start with the 'need' for a new violin/bow. What makes you believe you /need/ a new set? Did your teacher say it so? Do you just want something shiny and new?

Ultimately, I would say the reason for needing should be the best means of persuasion. If your current instrument holds you back, that's all there's to say, really. People (students specially) outgrow their instruments all the time.

May 25, 2016 at 02:57 AM · Your teacher is probably the best advocate here. They can tell your parents what specifically you need and what they'll likely have to spend in order to achieve it. You'll want to involve your teacher in any search.

May 25, 2016 at 06:09 AM · Tell them you'll pay it back, and show you're serious by finding a job before the conversation.

Alternatively say that some bullies smashed your equipment. You'll need to really commit by smashing it yourself. I like this option, more interesting for us here at v.com

May 25, 2016 at 06:27 AM · Do your chores on time and don't talk back to your parents???

May 25, 2016 at 08:20 AM · When I was a teenager and had progressed beyond what my first full-size violin could do, I actually didn't have to convince my parents at all. My teacher told them I needed a new bow and explained why. Her first conversation with my dad was also her first conversation with me about this issue. She also said that a different violin wouldn't hurt, either. After several questions and recommendations, my parents took me to a violin shop.

My point is that my parents understood about when I did, or arguably even before, because they were actively part of my music education. In my experience now that I am a teacher, parents who are part of the process get it. They might not get it in the beginning because they understandably have to learn, but by the time the child advances enough to need a better instrument, they do. Parents who aren't involved don't get it, and in the most extreme examples, a teacher trying to be the student's advocate, polite and respectful though they might be, results in the teacher being fired. I once lost a student while trying to explain to his parents that his bow was warped beyond being useable. After it was apparent I would not be successful, I told them I could not continue to teach him if he did not have a bow, to which they responded that he would have to quit, then, because they would not replace his bow. This was not the only time I encountered parents who simply would not purchase what their children needed for lessons, either. There is a bit of room between these two extremes, and I don't know your parents and so cannot be certain of where they would fall, but often if a child thinks mom and dad have to be convinced, then convincing them is going to be difficult if not impossible, especially since we are talking about a significant investment here and parents might be unwilling or perhaps unable to make such an investment. If you don't think you are going to be able to convince them, then you will likely need to find a way to cover this expense yourself.

May 25, 2016 at 08:27 AM · He did say he has a $2200 violin, at my shop that would be a pretty nice violin.

May 25, 2016 at 02:15 PM · Yes, I think I want Jay Haide European wood violins for my next instrument. Bow wise, I think I want a Arcos Brasil Bow.

May 25, 2016 at 03:22 PM · See if it helps to show them this article: http://www.violinist.com/blog/laurie/20072/6496/

May 25, 2016 at 09:50 PM · David - one thing to remember is that you will get more bang for your buck upgrading your bow, unless your violin is awful. So, you might want to start by trying to persuade them to get you a new bow. Once you have tried some bows on your current violin, that will give you some sense of how much you really need a new violin. But, you best bet may be to push for the bow rather than the violin or both. Good luck! I got a new violin when I was 15 because I was taking lessons from a great violinist in Paris (Rene Benedetti) who told my parents I needed a better violin. Needless to say, they listened to him and practically gave him carte blanche to choose something. At age 65, I still use the violin.

May 25, 2016 at 11:35 PM · My parents both worked but still we didn't have a lot of money for toys. I started working at twelve not even making minimum wage but it gave me a way to buy a bike to get to work. At least your parents were able to buy you a decent outfit to get started with. Perhaps David, you could try earning some of your own money to buy what you want. And I was thinking that you could try busking on a Saturday or Sunday. Find a safe place to stand for a couple of hours and play away, leave your open case on the ground and maybe a short note saying you are trying to save up for a better instrument.

May 25, 2016 at 11:50 PM · Depending on your level, it might be good to try to get a loaned instrument and bow from a foundation, such as Maestro.