Violin info

[mickeylove2]

Ok, so my DD just started 4th grade and was invited to join the orchestra. Great, she loves music, plays the piano and is very good at it, she picks up things with ease, pretty much the kid is good at everything! She wants to play the violin. I know nothing about the violin, can I get some help please???

For starters, the local music store will rent me a violin for $42, so that's $336 for the year (Oct thru May) but I have no idea what that really includes. Will I have to purchase my own bow or chin rest? I will be going up there this weekend to find out all the specifics. Then if the price doesn't go up, I will pay $336 next year.

I was looking on Craigslist and there are so many violins for sale ranging from $70-$4000 in my area, I'm tempted to just purchase 1 and not have to worry about renting. The problem is looking at all these postings is like reading Greek to me. There are some that say full size, then there are some that say for student, there are some that say 3/4, 1/8, 1/2, then you have the different names.

So, I'm at a loss. I guess I can ask the music store to help me pick 1 out, but they are a small family owed store and really want your business so I doubt they will be of much help to me ya know. TIA

 

[luvmy3]

If your dd is only in 4th grade I would rent. She may not like it or if she does you will have to get her a new one everytime she has to move up a size.
Our rental isn't as expensive as yours, I pay around $110 dollars every 6 months and that includes the extra insurance/maintenance (which I recommend). It comes with a bow, chin rest, a piece of foam for the back, and the case. I think thats all pretty standard with rentals.
I rent from a music store thats an hour away, but they come to our school district so if I were you I would call other music stores that aren't in your immediate area to see if the service your district.

 

[mrsv98]

Ok, so my DD just started 4th grade and was invited to join the orchestra. Great, she loves music, plays the piano and is very good at it, she picks up things with ease, pretty much the kid is good at everything! She wants to play the violin. I know nothing about the violin, can I get some help please???

For starters, the local music store will rent me a violin for $42, so that's $336 for the year (Oct thru May) but I have no idea what that really includes. Will I have to purchase my own bow or chin rest? I will be going up there this weekend to find out all the specifics. Then if the price doesn't go up, I will pay $336 next year.

I was looking on Craigslist and there are so many violins for sale ranging from $70-$4000 in my area, I'm tempted to just purchase 1 and not have to worry about renting. The problem is looking at all these postings is like reading Greek to me. There are some that say full size, then there are some that say for student, there are some that say 3/4, 1/8, 1/2, then you have the different names.

So, I'm at a loss. I guess I can ask the music store to help me pick 1 out, but they are a small family owed store and really want your business so I doubt they will be of much help to me ya know. TIA

DD plays the viola and also started last year in 4th. When you rent, it should include everything she needs to play, our music store even threw in a free music stand. Before you buy anything, you should consider what size violin your DD needs now and what she will need as she continues to play. DD started out with a size 11 viola but needed the next larger size by winter break. If she continues into middle school, I will consider buying her one but I want to wait and see how long it takes her to get to a full size, it may not be until high school.

I would look around and see what other music stores are in your area and then try to get the best deal on rentals. We went to a different store than the one promoted by the school district and got a much better rental fee so it was worth shopping around.

Good luck to your DD (and your ears! ) and don't worry, the strangling cats phase doesn't last too long!

ETA: yes, get the insurance, ours is something like a dollar or two a month and well worth it. DD's first bow fell apart and all we had to do is go over and the shop replaced it no problem.

 

[golfgal]

I would rent. Chances of a 4th grader starting out on a full sized violin are small and as she grows she will need to upgrade-which will be included in your rental vs buying a new one. Depending on her size she may start out on a 1/4 size and in a couple years move up to a 1/2 size then into a full size in junior high, for example. She also may not like it so with the rental you just return it and you are done. The rental programs also generally include repairs so if something happens, her bridge falls, her sound post falls, etc. that should all be covered.

 

[mjkacmom]

I'd just rent. The violin option starts in 4th grade here as well, and the school provides them. I'd never buy an instrument without trying it out first. Many kids drop out of violin in 5th, when they are able to play in the band.

 

[Pigeon]

I've got a dd who is a pretty good violinist. I'd rent for starters, at least until she is in a full sized violin. The places around here are rent-to-own, so after a while if she sticks with it, you can get a reasonably decent violin for basically what you've already paid in.

Sadly, dd's violin tutor thinks it would be a better idea to pay $5K-$6K to get her a really good instrument.

 

[MinnieTink]

My two DDs have both played violin starting in 1st and 2nd grade. One has continued and now plays as a freshman in HS. My younger DD has moved from violin to flute and now to drums (help me lord!). Seeing as how kids can change their minds about things AND how violin sizes change for growing kids, I would rent. Having said that, I think that price is a lot. I renewed my DDs full size violin in June for the whole year for about $120-140. (can't remember exactly)

Good luck!

 

[gator75]

i also agree you should rent. my son started in 3rd grade and is currently in 8th we rented as well. i can't say for sure i remember how much a month we paid i think it was like 20.00,then when i knew he would be with it for awhile we just paid for all of it. The bow and the chin rest both come with the instrument you will have to purchase rossin seprately. good luck to your daughter i hope she likes it

 

[tlbwriter]

If you do decide to buy, talk to your orchestra director first. There are probably specific brands/retailers to look for, and those to avoid. I know we got this info when DD started band, and I'm sure it's the same for orchestra.

 

[deedeetoo]

DD started violin in 3rd grade and is now in 7th and still playing. Definitely rent becuase they do grow. My dd started in 1/4 size, then moved up to 1/2 size and is now in 3/4 size. If you are renting they just swap your old one for a new one in the bigger size. They add up all you payments and just apply it to purchase when you finally get to full size.

I think $42/mo is too much. I paid like $40 for the first three months total and then $24/mo after that which includes insurance.

 

[bethbuchall]

Wow! I am feeling very lucky. Here the schools rent them to the students for $30/semester or $50/year (reduced to $10 if you are on free/reduced lunch) from 4th-8th grade. Once in the high school, we aren't charged for rental, though I don't know what they supply of violins is like. My kids enjoy playing the viola in orchestra, but none are interested enough to actually purchase one.

I definitely think that you should rent until you know that she really wants to stay with it. Is there a rent-to-buy program available? There are a lot of cheap violins that are not worth their price. You need to get someone who knows instruments to help you out if you do decide to buy.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We rent our violins. My 7yo is on a half size and my 10 yo is on a quarter size. They include the chin rest, case and bow. We rent them from a faraway place with excellent customer service. I do have insurance--and we have had to use it a time or two. Both were bow replacements. One they gave me grace and replaced it even though my dd broke it and the other was a malfunctioning bow (couldn't be tightened/loosened). Both times it cost me shipping only--but much cheaper than buying a bow.

Rental is by the quarter--insurance is extra and covers everything EXCEPT damage due to extreme heat or cold. Leave your violin in a car for hours on end in the hot summer--that is all you.

They will also credit a portion of the rental fees towards a violin purchase.

Due to growing kids--I don't want to invest in something that will have to be replaced with a larger size. If they are still playing when they need a full size one--then I will consider it.

We homeschool and take private lessons, so I do not have the option to rent from a school.

We rent from Gainesville Violin (Gainesville, FL).

I wouldn't know what to buy anyway--and I would want my kids playing proficiently before purchasing a potential paperweight.