You will need to buy or rent a few things in order to learn to play the violin.
Here’s some advice.
What Things Do I Need?
Your shopping list should include:
Violin
Bow
Case
Rosin
Shoulder rest (KUN model is recommended for most players)
Music stand
Pencil
Metronome with pitch generator and tuner
Any sheet music/books you wish to study
Also an internet-connected computer if you want to watch video lessons!
How Do I Get Sheet Music/Books
To study any pieces or etudes on this website, you will need to purchase the music separately. This website does not include print-outs, as most of the music is under copyright, and this would be the same with almost any serious violin teacher. If you have local music shop where you live, it’s great to support your local business! If not, you can order any music book you need online. Without recommending or endorsing any specific shops, you may want to look into Johnson Strings*, Shar Music*, Music Espresso*, and Amazon*.
Where Do I Get a violin?
Buying or renting from a reputable shop is a good way to ensure you are getting something decent. If you live locally in New England, Carriage House Violins* is a common place to look because they have a large selection in many price ranges, and also offer rentals through Johnson Strings*. (Many young violin students in the area carry the typical Johnson Strings rental case!) Douglas Cox* is an independent violin maker who made Joshua Peckins’ violin (which he plays in concert to this day) and has sold violins to many of his private violin students. Wiessmeyer Violins* is another Boston-area option that has sold violins to Mr. Peckins’ private students.
If you live elsewhere, we recommend you consult your local conservatory or professional orchestra for recommendations. If you don’t have a good shop in your area, here are a few sources you may look into for mail-order instrument purchases and rentals: Johnson Strings* and Shar Music*.
While it may be possible to find a good violin from a private seller, an online store, a pawn shop, or another less typical vendor, you should only do so if you have the expertise to evaluate what you are purchasing. A reputable shop will be able to appraise an instrument (usually for a small fee), and tell you if it is really worth the purchase price.
Just keep in mind, all this is offered only as general information. We do not recommend or endorse any specific sellers or makers, and do not guarantee the quality or value you may receive. Please do your own due diligence before making a purchase.
How Much Do I Need to Spend?
Avoid any places with “too good to be true” deals. Violins are expensive, and something extremely cheap will only lead to frustration. You’re going to be putting lots of time and energy into learning the violin, and you want to make sure the instrument you buy or rent is up to the task!
If the price of a decent instrument is a concern, renting is a good option. You can find good deals and bad deals, so please do your due diligence! But just for some starting point, in the Boston area, a decent student violin and bow can be rented (including case, strings, and rosin) for about $29 - $51 a month. Entry-level student violin and bow packages can be purchased from around $1,500 to $3,500. If that sounds high, we strongly recommend you rent a decent violin rather than purchase something that will let you down in the long run.
Of course, they can go much higher! A professional violin will cost at least $20,000 - and an older, antique violin from a famous maker can literally cost millions of dollars! Luckily, you can get a lifetime of music a joy from something much less expensive.
You should also consider any long-term costs, such as occasional maintenance and repair costs (it’s good to have your instrument checked-out by a professional violin/bow maker every now and then, and there may be occasional repair needs), and periodically purchasing new strings and rehairing the bow (strings should be replaced every 2-6 months depending on the type of string and how much you play, and the hair of the bow should be replaced ever 4-8 months depending on the hair and how much you play). Some people also choose to insure their instruments, particularly if they purchase something expensive.
Just keep in mind, all of this is offered only as general information. We cannon offer any financial advice, so be sure to check with a qualified professional who is familiar with your personal situation.
Which Specific Violin Should I Get?
High-quality violins and bows are hand-made in the traditional manner, basically unchanged for the past several centuries. This means that each violin is different, even if it is from the same maker or “brand.” So, rather than think about one brand vs another, or one maker vs another, you need to consider a specific violin vs another specific violin. (The same is true for bows.) Unless you are already at a highly-skilled and professional level as a violinist yourself, it’s important to have a professional violinist try out any instrument you are considering. This should be someone with a lot of experience playing many different high-quality instruments, and someone with the skill set to really put the instrument through its paces and test its abilities. Many shops will let you borrow an instrument for a week or two before you make a decision for exactly this purpose. The professional violinist will give you a better idea of whether it is a high-quality, playable instrument that will meet your needs.
In terms of price/value, especially if you are considering purchasing an expensive instrument, it’s a good idea to get it independently appraised by another reputable violin shop - one that is not trying to sell you an instrument and that does not have a conflict of interest. A professional appraisal will give you a better idea of what the instrument is worth financially. Sometimes there are factors that affect an instrument’s financial value that go beyond its sound and playability (such as its history, antique value, condition, country of origin, past repairs, current state of the market, fame of the maker, etc.). In other words, a professional violinist will be able to help you determine the instrument’s playability and sound quality - things you care about as a violinist - but a professional appraisal will consider other things, too, which may affect your financial investment.
If you are renting or purchasing a relatively inexpensive instrument, you may decide you do not need to take as much time to evaluate it because your expense and commitment levels are relatively low. If you are purchasing an expensive instrument, you should really take your time to try many different instruments from many different sellers, and have them all evaluated professionally.
Just keep in mind, all of this is offered only as general information. Please do your own diligence, and consult a qualified professional who is familiar with your personal situation.
What Size Violin?
Young players often need a smaller violin and bow, referred to as 1/4 size, 1/2 size, 3/4 size, etc. Take your child to the violin shop, and they will recommend the appropriate size for your child. (This is mostly based on arm length, so it will change as your child grows.) If your child needs a smaller instrument like this, it usually makes more sense to rent an instrument so you can change sizes as the child grows. Once you are ready for a full size instrument, it may make more sense to purchase one so you don’t keep loosing rental fees.
How to Take Care of a Violin?
Violins and bows require some basic daily care, such as gentle cleaning of rosin dust after playing (clean, soft, dry microfiber cloths work well), protection from changes in heat and humidity (violins have been destroyed by leaving them in a hot car in the sun), loosening the bow after playing, protecting them from drops and bangs, etc. When you purchase or rent your instrument, ask the seller for information about this basic, daily care.
More periodic maintenance includes changing the strings and rehairing the bow. You can learn to change the strings yourself (ask the violin shop to show you how) or have the shop do it for you. The bow’s hair should only be replaced by the shop or another professional bow maker.
About once a year or so, you should take your instrument to the shop for a general evaluation, even if everything seems okay. There may be occasional repair needs. Of course, if you drop or damage your instrument or anything seems different from usual, it’s a good idea to take it to the shop for a check-up and any needed repairs right away. Some common warning signs that you need to take your violin to the shop include (but are not limited to): any rattles or buzzes, gaps between the wood where it used to be attached, the bridge or sound-post being bent or out of place, difficulty using the pegs or fine tuners, the strings slipping (pegs unwinding) frequently, bow hairs breaking frequently, the bow becoming bent or warped, any significant change in the sound when you play, and any visible damage.
Just keep in mind, all this is offered only as general information. This is not a complete set of instructions, and you may need special care/maintenance instructions for your specific instrument or situation. Check with a reputable violin shop for more detailed and complete information about how to maintain and protect your instrument.
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