For anyone who is familiar with violins...

[mrudman]

My (almost) 10 yo dd has been expressing interest in playing a violin for about a year now. For their school, they don't start playing musical instruments until 5th grade (next year for her).. but I was thinking this might be a perfect birthday gift for her this year to see if she'd really like to play it.. before she'd have to commit to playing in the orchestra vs. band (she's unsure which she'd rather join at this point).

I was looking at some on Ebay, but I am extremely clueless about anything to do with the violin at all.. which brands are decent, whether there are any "junk" ones out there.

These are 2 I came across that almost seem to good to be true at the price.. but like I said, I really have no idea even what a decent price for one is.

I figure I'll probably buy her a 3/4 size.. she's on the small size for a 10yo, but I also don't want her to outgrow it too fast.

I'm really looking just to get something that at least sounds 1/2 way decent.. that she could play around on for the next year or 2.. and if she decides the violin is the way she'd want to go, then at that point, I'd be looking to get her a better quality one.

Could anyone look at this 2 links, and tell me what you think.. if they'd be decent starter ones... and if there is one that is better than the other, could you let me know why?

Thanks!

http://cgi.ebay.com/4-4-3-4-1-2-1-4...ltDomain_0&hash=item519245f6d2#ht_24724wt_922

http://cgi.ebay.com/4-4-3-4-1-2-1-4...=350346409682&ps=63&clkid=4797465013894484340

 

[Hannathy]

`You can't just get any size violin! they have to be measured and the reach has to be OK or they will not be able to play. Both my kids play and they both did move and are moving at different times. My DS is still on a 1/2 size violin and this is his 3rd year playing and is in 6th grade. I don't think my DD moved into her full size until 7th or 8th grade. We didn't buy hers until she did move into a full size until then we rented. When we bought hers we bought an adequate but not great one because she loves it but is more academic so I wasn't putting a few thousand into one. She still plays in college but in the non credit orchestra. Now my DS is more serious so we will probably buy a better one but again I'm not buying while they are growing and changing, so we rent his.

I would seriously suggest renting until you are sure she wants to stick with the violin and then it's up to you but if you don't want to buy 3 of them I'd wait until she was in a full size one.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

The violins sold on ebay are generally of poor quality. Shar music is a reputable place to get violins and music equipment. http://www.sharmusic.com/

Talk to the music teachers in your school district and find out where our daughter can get lessons. For her to feel success she needs a student violin tha will have a good tone a nd stay tuned. If she is interesed in music I would get a cheap violin to play around on like a toy. I'm really not sure if that is what you meant. If she is interested in music get a decent student violin not from ebay and get some lessons she will feel more confident in her skills that way.
I'll PM you some links to info my district has. I have 4 kids all play violin.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

`You can't just get any size violin! they have to be measured and the reach has to be OK or they will not be able to play. Both my kids play and they both did move and are moving at different times. My DS is still on a 1/2 size violin and this is his 3rd year playing and is in 6th grade. I don't think my DD moved into her full size until 7th or 8th grade. We didn't buy hers until she did move into a full size until then we rented. When we bought hers we bought an adequate but not great one because she loves it but is more academic so I wasn't putting a few thousand into one. She still plays in college but in the non credit orchestra. Now my DS is more serious so we will probably buy a better one but again I'm not buying while they are growing and changing, so we rent his.

I would seriously suggest renting until you are sure she wants to stick with the violin and then it's up to you but if you don't want to buy 3 of them I'd wait until she was in a full size one.

Proper fitting is important I agree. Violins have to be sized properly for the person playing it.

 

[TinkMomma]

Violin and viola teacher here!! Just wanted to add a little more info...

If you want a decent sounding instrument that can last for a while (sound and budget wise), I would suggest the following:

1. Take her to your local music store and have her fitted. This needs to be done in person as each person's arms are different lengths.

2. Check southwest strings and shar for rental specials. You can rent a higher quality instrument from them, and as she grows (physically and musically) you can trade up.

3. If she is seriously interested, when the time comes, those companies will send you several instruments to try out at one time so she can find one with the sound she's looking for.

I'm not saying that your local music shop doesn't do that already; they may. However, finding a quality instrument on eBay is going to be harder than you think. I've been teaching my daughter since she was 2 (she's 5 now), and we have had no trouble exchanging for bigger size/better quality through southwest strings.

Having a crappy instrument will hinder her playing... Take it from a middle school orchestra director. Once the kids know what it's *supposed* to sound like, they become frustrated that their instrument isn't even capable of having the same tone.

Again, I would go ahead and start checking out those companies. Make sure you also sign up online for emails and catalogs. My 5 yo DD gets just as excited about a new shar or sw strings catalog as she does a new american girl catalog coming in the mail. Haha!

Good luck! And I hope she sticks with it. I am one of those that started with 5th grade strings and I'm working on my MA in violin and viola performance. Any other questions, feel free to PM me!!

 

[swilshire]

I wouldn't even consider buying an instrument for her until I found her an instructor. Ask around until you find the perfect person to work with a child. They're a special breed, but they are out there. Then let the instructor help you choose an instrument.

I absolutely agree with buying a good instrument. You don't save money in the long run (ask how many cheap guitars we bought before we wised up). A quality instrument will keep its value should she lose interest and you need to resell it later.

Sheila

 

[abmitch01]

I'd go easy on the first violin, once you're in a full size it makes sense to spend more

our teacher had lots of helpful advice

 

[mjkacmom]

I agree with PP - rent! My dd14's bff plays with a local children's orchestra (which is hard to get in to), and she's been playing for 6 years now, and just recently bought a violin. She's trying to switch over to the viola (smaller classes at the HS - she'll still get private violin lessons), and they're renting the viola. My DH plays the guitar, and says it's important to have a decent one, or else it just goes out of tune quickly, and the kids get frustrated.

 

[abmitch01]

my DD is only 11 and we've already been through several sizes. the good news is decent ones seem to hold their value when it comes time to trade up. I thought we'd be taking a bath at trade in time but was pleasantly surprised. Good luck to you, it's exciting to watch your child progress.

 

[rileysmommy]

My dd is 9 and just started playing the violin this year. If you are going to buy the instrument now then I would be sure that you can trade it in as she grows. Violins are sized to the player and I'm sure she will be growing more in the coming years. My dd is small and is currently in a 1/2 size violin.

Personally, I wouldn't buy one for her just yet. If she isn't going to be having any instruction on it until next year, that is going to be awfully tempting for her to play with it now and she may end up hurting it since she doesn't yet have any formal training. Also, can you guarantee that she will love it and want to continue to play in the coming years? That is a big investment to have her not love it. Right now my dd plays one that the school provides for her.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Pigeon]

My 13 year old is a pretty serious violinist. I'd absolutely start by renting. You don't want to buy her a cheap violin.

 

[robinb]

My 11-year old played the viola and she has rented for the past two years.

 

[hpfan100]

RENT RENT RENT until full size is needed

Many local music shops will let you use some of that rental credit towards a purchase later. My parents rented for me until I was in 8th grade and then they bought one. I used a full sized viola from 6th grade on so everyone is different. I would chat up your school's strings teacher and head to the local shop.

Good luck!!!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Absolutely have her fitted at a professional music store then RENT one for awhile to see if she really takes to it. DD16 plays violin and DD12 plays viola. We own the violin (very generous gift from a professional musician friend in Nashville) but we rented the viola from a local music store. Renting isn't that expensive - I think it is about $15 a month and a good part of that will go towards the purchase of a viola from that store if we choose to buy one.

Good luck to your budding musician.