V.com weekend vote: What size is the smallest violin you've played?

September 2, 2011 at 9:01 PM

After hearing this feat -- the Sibelius on a 1/32 violin -- I'm tempted to try some virtuoso pieces on my smallest fiddle:

A little fiddle

It's not easy to get a great tone on these babies -- or for a grown-up to play in tune, but it's wonderful that little kids can learn on an appropriately-sized violin.

What is the smallest fiddle you've ever played? And you can't count tuning a student's 1/32. By "played" I mean performed in a concert, created a video or had long-term as your main fiddle. To be honest, for me it was probably a 1/2-size, when I was a youngster. One of my teachers, as a joke, performed a Mozart Concerto on a half-sized violin -- and did it perfectly in tune! How about you?

From Michael Divino
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 9:04 PM

4/4 my entire career.

From Mendy Smith
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 9:16 PM

I started on a 15" viola in the 3rd grade... it seems so small now ;)

From Barry Nelson
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 10:06 PM

Adult beginner,so 4/4 but I played a 3/4 once

From Francesca Rizzardi
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 10:14 PM

I have a 1/32 fiddle but thought it was just to look at. Is yours meant to be played? Did you have to do something to it to make it playable? I have to admit, I bought it before I started playing violin so hadn't really thought about it.

From Jim Hastings
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 10:16 PM

1/2. Surprised how many started on 4/4 -- 28% at this writing.

From Francesca Rizzardi
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 3:29 AM

Sorry--I misunderstood the picture. The one Laurie was "playing" was not 1/32, although it is the size of the tiny one I have.

From David Christianson
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 11:28 AM

1/2 size when I was 9. I'm amazed full-grown adults can play on such tiny fiddles; I can't play in tune on a full-size, let alone 1/32!

From Anne Horvath
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:26 PM

I started at age 10 on a 4/4 size.

I'll demonstrate on student violins, but 1/2 size is the smallest I can play in tune. The left hand isn't as bothersome as the right; my right elbow yearns for freedom.

From Anne Horvath
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:28 PM

Also, Laurie, it looks like you need a shoulder rest for that tiny fiddle.

From Madi Phillips
Posted on September 3, 2011 at 6:50 PM

i started at 5 on a 1/8 sized violin :)

From Nicky Paxton
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 1:28 PM

I started at 7 on 3/4 size. I'm surprised at how many voters started on sizes less than 3/4 - 58% at this writing.

From Laurie Niles
Posted on September 4, 2011 at 11:13 PM

The picture is really a joke -- that fiddle is probably smaller than a 1/64th. It's along lines of a practice fiddle that a beginning luthier might make; a gift to me from my late grandmother. Isn't it cute? :)

I'm trying to imagine a shoulder rest that would bridge that gap!

From Peter Charles
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 2:15 PM

That's a funny looking bow, is it Chinese? (Wink)

From Sandra Li
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 9:09 PM

I started on 1/10 size when I was 5 years old.

Link at top for 32nd violin is not working! Where can I find it?

From Bram Heemskerk
Posted on September 5, 2011 at 10:20 PM

Hi here is the link: http://www.violinist.com/blog/jenohubay/20119/12615/

And here the same violinist on the same violin at the age of 4 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHrp3usjyfM

This entry has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.