Shopping for a new violin for you or your child.
Choosing a new violin for you or your young child can be a little daunting. There are seemingly endless options, at every price point. This quick guide can help you get started.
Sizing
Firstly, figure out what size instrument you or your child requires. Without an appropriately sized instrument, it will be difficult to learn and the project needlessly laborious. Feel free to reach out to us for help in measuring your child.
Price
Next, there is the issue of price. There are instruments that cost millions, but thankfully we don’t need to spend that much on our first purchase. Parents, understandably, do not want to spend a lot of money on their child’s first instrument. They are not sure if their child will stick with it, or they are concerned that they may break it. That said, if you spend too little, you run the risk of buying something virtually unplayable. The student will be frustrated at how hard it is to play the violin, when it is really the fault of the violin itself. I have even found that luthiers (people who build or repair stringed instruments) sometimes will not even work on cheap instruments. Cecilio (the violin company) has some offerings in the $120 to $160 price range that come with cases and bonuses. These will help the student get a reasonable start on the instrument. It is important to note that on low end instruments, some parts might need to be replaced. Some other low end instruments will not remain in tune for a reasonable amount of time. Occasionally, I have found that cheap fine tuners will not turn freely, but can be replaced at a fairly low cost. With a bump in cost, one could buy a violin from SHAR. These might cost anywhere from the mid $200s to the mid $300s. The jump in quality is huge, and the resale value is far greater (you may never be able to sell some cheap violins). This is a large jump in price however, and it is very understandable if you choose something more affordable.
Quality and Renting vs. Buying
All that said, it isn’t a bad thing to buy your beginner a high(er) end instrument to start with! If they are disciplined, and are careful with their things, a slightly more expensive violin would be great for them to start out on. Some have a philosophy that is as follows: buy the student (or yourself) the best violin that you can reasonably afford. That way, the instrument is not a hurdle to the learning process, and the sounds that are possible on the instrument are even better. Also, some instrument retailers will sell you a quality instrument, and take it back from you when the child outgrows it. Then, they will deduct the price of the original violin, from the price of the new one. This is a fantastic option, as you do not sacrifice on quality or value. Renting is also an option, but if you rent for long, your investment will approach the value of outright buying one.
No matter what, it is important to instill a respect for the instrument (and the centuries long tradition attached) into your child. That way they will take seriously its maintenance and care. Broken bows and violin scrolls are sad, and can be avoided. One day, they may be holding an instrument worth thousands.
In short, it can be overwhelming to choose an instrument as a beginner, but we can help! Feel free to reach out for advice. Let us know your goals and your budget, and we can help you make an informed decision about what to choose. One day, when the learner is experienced, they will have their own preferences! Then, they can choose between high end instruments on their own, discerning between warm and bright instruments, and being fussy over the balance of this bow vs. that bow. It’s a big step and it’s an exciting thing to look forward to. Happy learning.
