Violin: Purchase Or Borrow?

Choose wisely when selecting a violin. It is an important purchase.

Should you borrow or purchase your first violin?

You can purchase violins at all prices, from about fifty dollars to a couple of millions. Presumably the latter is out of your reach. The best advice to give is fairly straight forward: pick a violin that you like and that you can afford. If you are not sure that you are going to stick with playing the violin, you do not want to have wasted a ton of money on your instrument. But do keep in mind that the cheaper you go, the more likely that your violin will have some serious quality issues that will be reflected in how it sounds. It is possible to get really good learner’s violins for about $500; a violin that holds up to professional demands will cost you several thousands of dollars.

There is a second possibility: you could rent a violin. Yes, it is actually possible to rent a violin for when you are just starting out until you are sure that you are actually going to stick to playing the violin. Usually the rental period is for at least six months and covers a complete violin set. Rental prices start usually at about 15 dollars per month. In some instances, if you later decide to purchase the violin, the paid rent will be deducted from the price. There are a number of rental offers online, and most music schools and instrument shops also offer rental programs.

CHOOSE WISELY

Now, if you decide to go with the purchase option, there are a number of places that sell violins. Music stores, violin builders, Craigslist, music schools, flee markets, some department stores, ebay etc. Of course, if you purchase your violin from a place such as ebay, you will not be able to judge the quality of the violin beforehand. Then again, as a beginner, you will probably not be able to judge the sound quality of a violin anyway, so maybe it would make sense to take someone with you, or consult with someone that has experience playing the violin.

There are three more issues to consider. First off, being left handed. If you happen to be left handed, you will still be using a regular violin. Special left hander violins actually exist, but they are only to be recommended in exceptional cases. For playing in an orchestra, they are absolutely useless. Left handers are not disadvantaged using a regular violin since it requires the agility and dexterity of both hands to play the violin.

Second, child sized violins. Violins actually do come in different sizes. Adults and teenagers generally use a full sized violin (also known as a 4/4), while younger children learn to play on 3/4 or 1/2. Please do not take these size descriptions literally. For example, a 1/2 violin is not half the size of a full one, rather, it is only about 12% smaller. As a rule of thumb, the kid’s slightly angled arm should reach the violin’s neck; if it does not, then the violin is too big. Child sized violins are tuned to the same notes as full sized ones; thus, they do not sound any ‘higher’, merely weaker because of the smaller body for resonance.

E-VIOLINS ANYONE?

And third, e-violins. It is possible to purchase violins that are build similar to e-guitars. Such e-violins are useful for certain specific conditions, such as if you are primarily playing on stages that require amplification. Again, how likely is this for a beginner. Plus, beginners are advised to start with an acoustic violin. Not because it is easier, but you will better and more exacter learn to play the violin than if you start on an e-violin.