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Question: I want to learn how to play the violin - what is the size and kind I should start with!?
Violins have always been my absolute favourite instrument, and I have finally decided that rather than always be the one listening, I want to learn how to play!. I can already read music and such, so that is the least of my worries!.

The problem is - I don't even know where to start when it comes to picking out a first violin to learn on!. I see that they come in different sizes or something - 4/4 3/4 1/2 1/4!. What do these sizes mean, and what one do I probably want!?

Any other suggestions to help me pick one out would be greatly appreciated!. Thanks!Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Violin comes in 8 different sizes: 4/4 (also called full size), 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, 1/16!. 4/4 size being the biggest and 1/16 size being the smallest!. All adults, regardless of their size, use the 4/4 violin!. There is another uncommon size, 7/8, usually used by female professional violinist who wants a full-size violin sound but whose hand might be a little small for the full size violin!. So violin makers would make violins just a little smaller than full size to accommodate these players!.

To measure what size violin best suits you, you need to know the length between your neck and the middle of your left-hand palm (when your hand is fully extended and raised perpendicular to your body, just like holding a violin)!. About 50% of the teachers prefer students to use the length from the neck to the wrist for measurement instead of the neck to mid-palm approach!. The violin size determined by the neck/wrist approach would be the size that is more comfortable for students to hold!. The violin size determined by the neck/mid-palm approach would be the biggest size students should use!.

Consider this:
Violin Size Length (in inches)

4/4 (Full Size)
23

3/4
22

1/2
20

1/4
18 1/2

1/8
16 1/2

1/10
15

1/16
14

Another more general way of determining the size is by age!. If the above, arm length information, is available, it is the more accurate way to determine size!. Otherwise, you can use the age chart below to make the determination!.

Violin Size Age

4/4 (Full Size)
12 year and older

3/4
10-11

1/2
8-9

1/4
6-7

1/8
5-6

1/10
4-5

1/16
3 and below

There are many criteria in evaluating a violin!. Unfortunately tone is not typically near the top!. For the most part here is the list of characteristics of a violin that determine price, in declining order of importance:

*The Maker
*Country of Origin
*Condition
*Age
*Physical Beauty
*Tone
*Investment Potential
*Size and Arching

Others not necessarily in order are: responsiveness, evenness, arching (flat as opposed to high), wolf tones or lack of them, clarity of tone, correct measurements -- particularly for the 4/4 size!.

I recommend you to get a Stradivari Violin!. Makes a very nice sound!.






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Violins come in fractional sizes!. The 4/4 is the adult size, probably the size you should get!. See:

How can I determine if this violin or viola is the right size!?
http://beststudentviolins!.com/StringCare!.!.!.

and

http://beststudentviolins!.com/StringCare!.!.!.

In terms of purchasing a good starter, student instrument, a lot of people like these:

http://beststudentviolins!.com/violins!.ht!.!.!.

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