What makes for a good beginner violin?

September 30, 2013 at 08:28 PM · Be prepared for a wide variety of answers. :D

After years of my own trial-and-error experiences...I'd suggest you start with a factory fiddle from a better known maker at around the $1200 range (such as Eastman).

Why? Because at this price range there seems to be a fairly reliable set of criteria in place. Decent woods, decent set up, better strings, playability...comes with a case and a decent beginner bow in most instances.

Having said that...you can also check out used and antique fiddles in this price range and see if you find one with a sound you really like. Avoid fixer-uppers (unless that's an interest of yours) and find one that's been properly maintained or fixed up by someone who knows what they're doing.

You can also plan on keeping this 'first' violin as a back-up if you find yourself really keen on playing the violin and upgrading in the future. Or...you can then sell it to another beginner.

You might luck out with a less expensive instrument - and if you weren't planning on going too far with it you could try some in the $600 price range that prove satisfactory...but you might also find yourself needing an upgrade sooner if you have an aptitude for the instrument.

You'll get a better instrument for more money (in the $1200-3000 range)...but at some point it becomes less clear what you're paying for (and as you get into even more expensive instruments you might be paying more for provenance than playability/sound).

I hope this proved a useful start! Good luck and happy hunting!

September 30, 2013 at 10:15 PM · Thanks for the response!

"...but you might also find yourself needing an upgrade sooner if you have an aptitude for the instrument.

You'll get a better instrument for more money (in the $1200-3000 range)...but at some point it becomes less clear what you're paying for (and as you get into even more expensive instruments you might be paying more for provenance than playability/sound)."

This is precisely why I wanted to make this thread. Will look into the fiddles you spoke of, but would also love to hear from other people on this topic!

October 1, 2013 at 01:14 AM · If possible, find a reputable shop locally that has a good stock of "student" grade instruments ($5000 or less) and allows you to apply the rent money towards the purchase of an instrument. Get an experienced player to help you pick out a rental. I would suggest renting for at least the first year, until you develop a feel for the type of sound you like. Renting is a good idea because you can change the instrument if you want, and also you do not have to make such a big financial commitment up front. The key is to find a shop that will apply the rental money towards a purchase and also has a good stock of instruments to choose from when you decide to buy. Good luck.

October 1, 2013 at 11:19 AM · You might want to talk with your (prospective) teacher before you invest. Often s/he will have experience--ideas, connections, a sense of what often works--that you can't duplicate in other ways.

Rental (with option to purchase/trade) is a very good way to go, although, of course, it will limit you to the stock of whatever dealer/shop you have begun with--another reason for waiting to talk with your teacher (or someone's teacher). Local options can be so varied.

As you progress, your tastes will change, too, so take that into consideration. Actually, your *first* violin will probably be notable only for that fact in 2-3 years if you persevere.

Good luck. It's a fascinating journey you are embarking on!

October 1, 2013 at 02:02 PM · A lot of instruments (even good ones) have "problems" that their players learn to work around. A beginner should not have to deal with such issues.

When I was teaching I tried to get my beginning students to start by renting their instruments. we are luck to live near Ifshin Violins, producer of the Jay-Haide instruments that can be rented for only $25/month with no long-term contract. I would always go with the student to select the instrument and bow that worked well together. I even started my 6-year old granddaughter that way, on her first 1/2 size violin and kept on through 3/4 until when she was ready for a full-aize I gave her one of mine. Lucky for the budget she was big enough for a full size within 2 or 3 years.

Andy

October 1, 2013 at 02:12 PM · Most stores that rent rent only the cheapest quality New Chinese violins, sure they'll tell you its a thousand dollar violin, but they probably payed about 200 for it, and you can buy it on ebay for 200-300.

October 1, 2013 at 05:07 PM · It's always easier to know what to do...in retrospect. However, we don't all have the time or inclination to narrow down all the combinations and permutations to come up with the 'best' solution (which of course, might well be different for every individual). All we can do is offer up a frame of reference that hopefully helps an individual navigate through the buying process successfully...

October 1, 2013 at 07:43 PM · Alright, let's just say I think fiddling would be fun, playing worship and also doing metal/rock covers. I do intend on playing some classical eventually, but I'm not all that motivated to join an orchestra asap. This will be my first violin, not sure if any of that helps...(and my expectations are low, I know I probably won't be rocking out as soon as I pick up the violin ;) )

October 1, 2013 at 08:04 PM · A 'good' instrument will cover all those genres...although for fiddling you might want a lower bridge, for worship a more classical set-up and for metal...probably an electric violin, lol. (But let's cross that bridge when we get there).

That's why it's good to start on decent violin that won't hold you back or frustrate you when you're learning. Once you know what you want to do...you adjust your instrument accordingly (if required).

October 2, 2013 at 10:04 AM · I have a Chinese 'Arcadia' violin for which I paid about £600 but had it set up by a local luthier & also bought a case so in the end paid about £1000. I am very happy with my purchase. With nice strings (pirastro tonica), my violin had a sweet tone from the word go, but the d string sounded a bit jarring and cavernous. However, I have played that in now, one year later. This is my second violin; for the first, I started with an unbelievably cheap Chinese 'violin-shaped object' but set up with dominants, it still didn't sound too bad & encouraged me to go on.

But I don't regret for one minute getting my second violin.

October 3, 2013 at 07:20 PM · Be sure to try as many violins as you can. Have someone else listen to you playing them, and listen to them playing them; a violin sounds different from across the room than it does under your chin.

There can be significant variation among violins, even of the same make and model. When I got my current (second) violin, I wound up choosing a $600 model that sounded better than some of the $1300 violins in the same shop. There's more to a violin than the price tag.

October 5, 2013 at 07:24 PM · Andrew,

My advise it to rent an instrument from a local store. Once you decide you really like playing, you can look to buy (give it 6 months). When you first buy as a beginner, I would recommend not paying more than $1000. There really is no need, and price is not always the best indicator of sound. Try to buy an instrument you can test out first. If you do buy online, buy from a reputable maker (like Southwest Strings, or Eastman).

October 5, 2013 at 09:38 PM · Those are not makers, merely retailers of factory violins from China.

November 30, 2013 at 04:10 PM · What I meant, is something like this

http://www.swstrings.com/product/instruments/violin/GP-S800

or

http://eastmanmusiccompany.com/strings_violin_VL701.php

It is really hard to order instruments on the internet... I was just trying to make a recommendation.

December 1, 2013 at 02:04 AM · I am not sure your size (petite or pleasantly plump), but usually if you are more on the petite side and have shorter limbs, a 3/4 would fit you well. If you tend to be taller and have longer limbs, a 4/4 may fit you more comfortably. As far as the brand or type, as opposed to sizing, Jujube Light, Cotton Tree, Feng Ling, and Phnom Penh are some inexpensive brands that you can buy online. A good site to find them is ebay. It depends on your budget, not everyone has upwards of $500-$1000 to spend or more on a beginner violin. I suggest going to a local music store and getting properly fitted first, then you at least have the right size. Good Luck!