Equipment
What equipment will I need to get started?
Violin
There are different sizes of violins: full-size, 7/8, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, etc. I can help you determine what size violin you will need or a seller/renter should be able to help you. You can also refer to the information and chart below to help find the size you will need.
What size violin will I need?
Violins come in 8 different sizes: 4/4 (also called full size), 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, 1/16. The 4/4 size is the biggest and the 1/16 size is the smallest. Most children over the age of 12 and ALL adults need/play a 4/4 (full sized) violin.
There are different sizes of violins: full-size, 7/8, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, etc. I can help you determine what size violin you will need or a seller/renter should be able to help you. You can also refer to the information and chart below to help find the size you will need.
What size violin will I need?
Violins come in 8 different sizes: 4/4 (also called full size), 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, 1/16. The 4/4 size is the biggest and the 1/16 size is the smallest. Most children over the age of 12 and ALL adults need/play a 4/4 (full sized) violin.
Violin Sizing by Measurement
For most Children, you will need to take a measurement.
Let's get started!
For most Children, you will need to take a measurement.
Let's get started!
- We first need a measurement from the neck to the middle of the palm. With this we can estimate the proper size violin for you.
- Extend the arm so that it is perpendicular to the body.
- Measure the length from the child’s neck to the middle of their palm. If your child’s length is “in-between” sizes, order the smaller instrument. Violins that are too large to play can cause injury by overextending, muscles, tendons.
- Now match the measurement in inches to the chart below.
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Violin Sizing Chart
This is only meant as a guideline.
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Violin Sizes by Age
This is only meant as a guideline.
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Fine Tuners Required on ALL Beginning Instruments
- A beginning student MUST have a violin with four fine-tuners (small devices that allow one to tune the strings with precision).
Purchasing and Renting Information
There are two options: renting or buying an instrument.
Renting
You will need to call a local instrument dealer/music store (see below) and ask about rental or for an online option, I recommend a reputable company, SharMusic.com. If you want to know if violin playing is for you, this is a good way to go. I recommend that you inform the renter that you must have the instrument approved by your violin teacher and if the instrument is not acceptable, you will return it and get another one. This is a common practice in our field and insures that you get a violin that is in good, playable condition.
Local store, I recommend is:
Purchasing
You can contact a local instrument dealer/music store or look online.
It is important that you don’t buy a VSO, Violin Shaped Object, and although it looks like a violin, typically they are cheaply made difficult to play/produce a sound easily, harder to tune and keep in tune thus leading to a lot of frustration and could turn a student off from playing the violin. I recommend purchasing a violin "outfit." An outfit usually includes a violin, case, bow and sometimes rosin. As of today, Aug 2020, a decent violin outfit to start is typically around $179.00 and up. Here is a reputable online company I have used and recommended for years: SharMusic.com and a link to their beginning violin outfits. You can also support our local Violin Sarasota Shop on Main street, here in Sarasota, see above for address.
For advanced students, you will buy the violin, bow case and rosin separately. I recommend that you inform the seller that you must have the violin approved by your teacher prior to your purchase. This will insure that you get a violin in good condition.
Bow
Nicer bows are made of wood and suggested for older or advanced students. For beginners or younger students, I suggest a fiberglass bow or composite bow to start. They are basically unbreakable. A bow should be included with a violin rental. You can shop online at SharMusic.com or go visit our local Violin Sarasota Shop on Main Street, address above.
Shoulder Rest/Pad (recommended)
A device that allows one to hold the violin properly and with correct posture. I recommend the KUN shoulder rest. It must be the correct size for the instrument. Example: a 1/2 size violin requires a KUN shoulder rest that will fit a 1/2 size violin. Shoulder rests usually help in holding the violin. They now offer fun colors for shoulder rests. Many children and adults enjoy having a fun color. The traditional color of a shoulder pad is black. Link to shoulder pads here.
Renting
You will need to call a local instrument dealer/music store (see below) and ask about rental or for an online option, I recommend a reputable company, SharMusic.com. If you want to know if violin playing is for you, this is a good way to go. I recommend that you inform the renter that you must have the instrument approved by your violin teacher and if the instrument is not acceptable, you will return it and get another one. This is a common practice in our field and insures that you get a violin that is in good, playable condition.
Local store, I recommend is:
- Violin Shop Sarasota, (941) 217-4977, 1407 1st Street, Sarasota, 34236
Purchasing
You can contact a local instrument dealer/music store or look online.
It is important that you don’t buy a VSO, Violin Shaped Object, and although it looks like a violin, typically they are cheaply made difficult to play/produce a sound easily, harder to tune and keep in tune thus leading to a lot of frustration and could turn a student off from playing the violin. I recommend purchasing a violin "outfit." An outfit usually includes a violin, case, bow and sometimes rosin. As of today, Aug 2020, a decent violin outfit to start is typically around $179.00 and up. Here is a reputable online company I have used and recommended for years: SharMusic.com and a link to their beginning violin outfits. You can also support our local Violin Sarasota Shop on Main street, here in Sarasota, see above for address.
For advanced students, you will buy the violin, bow case and rosin separately. I recommend that you inform the seller that you must have the violin approved by your teacher prior to your purchase. This will insure that you get a violin in good condition.
Bow
Nicer bows are made of wood and suggested for older or advanced students. For beginners or younger students, I suggest a fiberglass bow or composite bow to start. They are basically unbreakable. A bow should be included with a violin rental. You can shop online at SharMusic.com or go visit our local Violin Sarasota Shop on Main Street, address above.
Shoulder Rest/Pad (recommended)
A device that allows one to hold the violin properly and with correct posture. I recommend the KUN shoulder rest. It must be the correct size for the instrument. Example: a 1/2 size violin requires a KUN shoulder rest that will fit a 1/2 size violin. Shoulder rests usually help in holding the violin. They now offer fun colors for shoulder rests. Many children and adults enjoy having a fun color. The traditional color of a shoulder pad is black. Link to shoulder pads here.
If after trying the Kun Shoulder Rest, the student complains that it is uncomfortable or simply too high for the student’s neck, a Marshmallow sponge is an option. You can purchase it here from Shar or click here to order is from Amazon. Order the size that coincides with your instrument. There are other choices for colors also available on the websites.
Case
Should be included with a violin rental. If not, the cost can be as little as $50 and go up to about $1,000.00 and up! Make sure and order the same size as the violin you have. Here is an option.
Should be included with a violin rental. If not, the cost can be as little as $50 and go up to about $1,000.00 and up! Make sure and order the same size as the violin you have. Here is an option.
Rosin
Rosin is a tree sap product that we put on the bow to make the hair sticky thus producing sound. Cost, about $2.49 and up. I recommend traditional rectangle shaped rosin, about 2in. x 1 in., is easier to rosin the bow. I would not recommend the very small, square rosins that are about 1 in by 1 in. They are harder to use.
Rosin is a tree sap product that we put on the bow to make the hair sticky thus producing sound. Cost, about $2.49 and up. I recommend traditional rectangle shaped rosin, about 2in. x 1 in., is easier to rosin the bow. I would not recommend the very small, square rosins that are about 1 in by 1 in. They are harder to use.
SHAR Dark Wood Rosin
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Super Sensitive Dark Rosin
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Music Stand
A music stand is helpful because it is adjustable and can put the music at the proper height for students. Cost, look on Amazon or other websites. I recommend a plastic stand over the wire music stands. The wire music stand are very flimsy, can be easily knocked over and can bend thus breaking pretty easily. The metal stands are nice, but if knocked over accidentally, could hurt someone.
Cleaning Cloth
Any soft cloth, no bigger than a washcloth size, will do. This is used to clean the rosin dust off of the instrument and bow.
Any soft cloth, no bigger than a washcloth size, will do. This is used to clean the rosin dust off of the instrument and bow.
Additional Recommended Equipment
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Electronic Tuner (recommended)
To help tune the strings and teach the student when a note is in tune. You will want a chromatic tuner. A tuner is more beneficial than a pitch pipe. Cost, $15 - $240. I recommend the Snark Tuner. You can also get an app on many electronic devices for free. I have found that it is easier to use the clip on and it is more accurate for a minimal cost. |
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Electronic Metronome (recommended)
A device that produces a 'beat' that the musician can follow. Excellent in the development of accurate rhythm. Cost…Free. You can get a good Metronome App for free on most electronic devices like, phone, iphones, ipods, etc. I use an app called MetroTimer on my iphone and I love it!
1 Extra Set of Strings
In case a string breaks, there will be an instant replacement. For students, I recommend the Thomastik Dominant brand. If a violin is smaller than full-size, make sure and buy strings that are the size of the violin. Cost, $50 and up. For a cheaper option, Red Label strings are acceptable. If you order strings, make sure you order the same size as the size of the instrument they will be for AND that they have a Ball end E string if you have a fine tuner. If you are unsure, check with me first and I can help you find the correct ones.
A device that produces a 'beat' that the musician can follow. Excellent in the development of accurate rhythm. Cost…Free. You can get a good Metronome App for free on most electronic devices like, phone, iphones, ipods, etc. I use an app called MetroTimer on my iphone and I love it!
1 Extra Set of Strings
In case a string breaks, there will be an instant replacement. For students, I recommend the Thomastik Dominant brand. If a violin is smaller than full-size, make sure and buy strings that are the size of the violin. Cost, $50 and up. For a cheaper option, Red Label strings are acceptable. If you order strings, make sure you order the same size as the size of the instrument they will be for AND that they have a Ball end E string if you have a fine tuner. If you are unsure, check with me first and I can help you find the correct ones.
Books
What books do I need to start? (for beginners)
- A spiral notebook (1 subject full-size)
- Essential Elements 2000 Violin Book
- Applebaum, String Builder, Violin Book 1
- Suzuki Revised Violin Book 1-can order this one after a few months of lessons
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