OT:daughter want to play the violin

[natenapril]

HI!!
My daughter wants to play the violin this year for school.
Anyone know any good websites to go where I can order a violin for a decent price?
I have heard of one but can't remember the site. Share or Shar music?

Anybody?
TIA, APril

 

[bethann1970]

Our school gave us recommendations where to rent from. I figured it would be better to rent at this age (8) than to buy one outright and then have her hate it. And it is rent to own. Now my other daughter is going to start this year, but the school send she can borrow one for practice and concerts so we don't have to rent 2. I'd ask the school for ideas.

 

[wrldpossibility]

We rented one locally our first year (it was only $15 a month). That way if they don't want to continue, no biggie. A good website (not not too cheap) is sharmusic.com.

Good luck! Our son started at age 5, and it's one of the most challenging instruments. He is on hiatus right now from violin, but he has a good foundation in it now. One good thing...piano was easy after learning the basics of violin!

 

[Beachclubmama]

Hi,
How wonderful your dd wants to play such a beautiful instrument!
I have three kids 10,5,and 3. My 10 y/o has been playing the violin for 6 years now(we rented) and we just purchased one this June. I would suggest renting one, because she is growing and she could go through a growth spurt right aft your purchase. My 5y/o plays the piano and my 3 y/o plays the cello. We are renting the cello.
Your instructor may know of a local place to rent.
Good Luck!

 

[Evil Queen]

We rented son's instrument his first year too.

 

[Sillyminny40]

Our son is 14 and has played since he was 8. (which is "old" to start but not too late!)
We rented a 3/4 size for two years and then invested in a marvellous violin which was purchased from a luthier (violin maker, re-seller, repairer guy). He let us take our favorite four violins home (in a case for four violins which is cool) and work with the teacher to choose. We paid about $2000 for the instrument which is concert level. It was a bargain at that as the maker is still relatively unknown. But the sound is GLORIOUS!

How old is your daughter...? and YES I agree that she may go through a growth spurt and outgrow the size.
Sizes are 1/8 (baby size) 1/4 size for a 4 yr oldish age, 3/4 age 7 to 12 and maybe a full size for the 10 and up depending on child's size.

As to method of playing, we have a private teacher (no school program here) who is Suzuki trained and pulls in other techniques as needed.

I play as well the violin and viola. Shar has a great name for violin supplying. Also ebay!!!!!

 

[Not so Dumbo]

I would also check with the school or instructor and see if they know of a rent to own program. when I was in school( quite awhile ago) we had a program that was rent to own and I started out on a 3/4 size and went up to a full size and the remaining cost was just transfered to the bigger size. I also broke one by walking too close to a Bass and put a hole in the side, the company the violin was through replaced it at very little cost.

 

[shaylahc1]

My 7 y.o. took violin last year and we bought one. It was way cheaper than renting, and we own the instrument. It was $150 altogether (package included the case and everything), I bought it on Ebay. It would have cost me twice as much to rent one for the year and at the end of that time we'd have nothing

 

[natenapril]

My DD is 9 but she is tall for her age.

The problem with renting is that we move next year and I would like her to practice over the summer. We may move every 4 years if my Dh stays in the Air Force.

I guess I am a mean mom because if she starts this I am going to insist she sticks with it.

 

[grlzmom]

We purchase all our strings at southwest strings (they have a website and will send you a huge catalog).

We also looked into renting but were able to get a very nice quality beginner violin for less than a rental obligation would have cost.

 

[las3888]

I am a Suzuki violin teacher and I specialize in teaching the real little ones (what we call "pre-twinklers"). I teach a group class through a park dist. that requires me to supply the violins and I buy them off e-bay (really, I have to have various sizes and enough of them for 4 or so kids). The ones I buy from ebay run around $50 including 2 bows, case, rosin, and violin of course. I am very happy with my purchases and highly recommend. I also recommend renting but not paying more than approx. $15/month or more. The sellers on ebay are easy to find...they sell violin after violin. Not the absolute highest quality, but if you are really just starting out and not sure if this will be a long-term stint or not, it's not a bad way to go. Good luck and happy twinkling!!!!