Solitary chicken - need advice

[AJuff]

My youngest daughter now aged 6 has been playing the violin for just over a year now. She absolutely loves it! She is ready to move onto a 1/4 size violin . . . . it's rather confusing with thousands of different makes and prices out there. Anyone able to advise?

[ChrisP]

I rented my violins from a local music shop until i needed a 4/4, as in i paid a deposit and then when i needed a 1/2 then 3/4 i could swap them. perhaps that's worth a try?

[Woodcat]

hey

 

You don't say at what sort of standered your daughter is. I know you say shes been playing for about a year but thats not always the best indication.

 

Being totally honest it's not worth spending a fortune on a 1/4 size. She probably won't be playing it for that long ( i only ended up playing a 1/4 for about 9 months because i grew fast) and there isn't That much difference in the sound quality when it's so small. The time to be shelling out a fortune will come if she makes it up to full size.

 

The best person to talk this over with is her violin teacher (they should have a nice clear idea of what they want) or have a chat with a local music shop. Let her go in and have a play. Violins are difficult instruments and i use to be (and still am) very fussy about mine. Some just don't feel right and no amount of practise changes that.

 

Having said all that i personally deffinatly wouldn't spend more than £100 on it but neither would i go for the really really cheapo ones at the £25-45 marks. If you look at them the wrong way they fall apart and even the most careful 6 year old somtimes knocks things around.

 

Where makes are concerned i can't really offer an opinion. All the modern beginer style ones are mostly much of a muchness it's all down to personally preference.

 

 

As chris has said renting might be a good option the only downside i found was that when i did it i ended up with one that weighted half a ton more than any other i've ever come across took my violin teacher ages to work out why i was getting so tired in her lessons it was only when she picked it up and nearly dropped it because it at 1/2 size weighted more than her full sized one that we clocked that somthing was wrong

 

Good luck

Beth

 

P.s be warned if she really enjoys and continues it it's an expensive hobby my mother still wimpers if i ever mention the price of my last bow

[Purplemaniacs]

My son used to play the violin and then the viola and daughter played the flute and cello.

 

As Beth said it can get expensive the final cello we bought (and still have) could have been a very nice car but it sounded beautiful by far the best of the expensive ones we had the opportunity of buying, all very expensive.

 

My son only had a decent violin when he got to 3/4 and full size. We were very lucky as violin cello teachers, husband and wife were able to find suitable instruments and repair or improve the quality. A cheaper small instrument could be improved with a better set of strings and a bridge made by the teacher.

 

I would not spend a great deal on a 1/4 size but don't go for the cheapest either. If you can find a shop that would rent or agree to trade it in when a bigger size was needed that would seem to be a good idea.

 

Good luck, ahhh it brings back many happy memories of hours spent at lessons, orchestras, bands, concerts and exams .

 

Good luck to your daughter, my son was only little when he started.

 

Chrissie

[Karen & co.]

Hope you manage to get sorted, YD is beginning the flute and we need to get her one, it's a nightmare isn't it?

 

Karen x

[Chucky Mama]

I would speak to her teacher re the best make and then look on eBay. I have bought all of our instruments bar 1 -several trumpets of different standards to match levels of playing, flute, clarinet, cornet, flugel horn and saxophones on eBay following advise on which model from our music teachers. I have never had a problems and have managed to pick up some fabulous bargains. Many buy very expensive instruments for children who are just starting out and a huge percentage don't continue which means that you can pick them up quite cheaply on eBay. It is also perfect for passing on your old instruments too.

[AJuff]

Well after what feels like weeks of research on violins we have made a purchase!! We went for a mid range 1/4 size and may upgrade the strings to 'Thomastik Dominant' if her teacher thinks it's needed. It sounds so much better than her smaller violin but then the sound has more space to resonate.

 

What has surprised me has been the pricing. One shop near us had a shop price and and internet price for the same violin. It seemed a bit odd when they said they had graded them and put the best ones in the shop and the others on the interent. I assumed that they would all sound similar albeit slightly different. So it seems that you really need to play them before buying.

 

DD is delighted with her new violin and has played so much that her teacher will be astonished on Wednesday with her pieces.

 

She's taking her prep test violin on 4th December and is working on her grade 1 pieces for March 14th.

[AJuff]

(Not sad though!) DD beamed all the way through her prep test. She was so excited and the examiner was very impressed. She came home proudly with her certificate with gold lettering and we have put it in a frame for her. Everyone who comes to the house she shows them it. I am so pleased for her. Prep tests are the perfect way to keep on encouraging young children onto Grade 1.

[Jules.]

Well done DD

[TAJ]

Around here I can by a full new kit almost identical to that rented via the school for £70-100. We rented for the 1st year and worked out it was cheaper to buy. The violin teacher advised on size, etc. she was on a 3/4 by aged 8 and on a full size by aged 10. Buying has saved us so much money compare to renting from school.

 

Tracy

[Redwing]

It never fails to amaze me the wealth of knowledge that we Omleteers have between us!

 

I know nothing about violins but do know that music is such a wonderful hobby so good luck to your DD