How To Choose A Violin For Children

Choosing the best instrument to start in musical practice is a subject that can be more complicated than one imagines at first. If we are clear that the chosen instrument is the violin, we must begin to pay attention to certain factors, so that your final choice is the most accurate and contemplates all the requirements that must be addressed when determining the purchase of a musical instrument. But what should we take into account when buying a violin for children?

Take Into Account The Violin’s Size

The size of the instrument is one of the most relevant factors when deciding which is the most suitable violin for our children. Adequate progress in the study of the violin depends on it since the practice of an instrument must always be carried out with the one that best fits our physical proportions. If a child tries to study with an excessively large violin, he will feel uncomfortable and develop poor postural habits that will significantly influence his progress as a student.

But How Can We Know In Advance What Size Of Violin Is The Most Suitable?

The size of a violin is expressed in fractions that indicate the proportion that exists between its total size and the size of the body of the instrument. Thus, we have 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, and 4/4 violins (also known as a full violin: It is generally the one used by adult musicians)

There is a method that makes things easier for us when it comes to directing the purchase of a violin correctly, about its size. Fully stretch your arm and raise it until it forms a parallel line with the ground. Next, measure the distance between the neck and the palm. Depending on the measurement obtained, we can establish an ideal size for the violin.

The 3/4 violin means to be already on the verge of a full-size violin, that is, a 4/4. This measure, used by many violinists since adolescence, is only recommended for those young people who, due to their body size, are guaranteed to practice the instrument without making forced postures.

Dealing With Doubts About Whether You’ll Like It

The decision to initiate our children in the study of a musical instrument is sometimes complex and is not exempt from certain initial doubts. One of the questions we usually ask ourselves is whether the violin will be the right instrument for him, or is there some other out there that we don’t know about and that, perhaps, would be more to his liking.

The dialogue with our children is essential, as well as knowing factors such as their character, the inclinations of their curious nature, or their manifested tastes. If you want to have more information about which instrument is the most suitable for our children, you can read our article: Choosing the right musical instrument: children

It is precisely those doubts about whether he is going to like the instrument and continue with his study for at least a reasonable time, or on the contrary, get tired right away and try to leave it at the first change, which causes us a certain dread when thinking about the economic investment that buying a violin can entail.

Fortunately, there are cheap violins on the market focused on beginner students, which allows us to begin this phase of approaching the instrument (so that the child can assess whether it is the instrument that best suits him) without our initial investment being disproportionate.

It is possible, and sometimes advisable, to start with a small investment, as a test, to see if the violin suits our child’s tastes.

What Price Are Violins For Children?

The price of the violin depends on the quality of its manufacture, therefore, on its sound. Well, not all children’s violins are toys or very low-end. As expected, very cheap violins do not offer the best features, affecting learning performance.

For this reason, the prices of violins for children are very varied. You can find this instrument from $50, up to much higher prices.

A Children’s Or Toy Violin?

The decision to buy a toy violin or a children’s violin depends on the level of commitment of the child. If the little one is discovering the instruments and wants to experiment with the violin, a toy violin is enough for him to have that first approach.

On the other hand, if the child has already played the instrument before, and is taking classes to improve their performance, a children’s violin is more helpful. Since, although it can also be learned with a toy violin, the true technique is improved on a real violin, with a much higher quality sound.

So, to choose between the two alternatives, it is necessary to analyze the dedication and true interest that the child has in the instrument.

Choosing The Violin Bow. What Should We Take Into Account?

Generally, if we choose to purchase a low-cost violin to begin our children’s musical training, for the same price we will also obtain the corresponding bow.

However, and even though it is obvious, the quality of these bows leaves a lot to be desired and as the months go by, you may consider purchasing a somewhat higher quality bow so that its performance is better and your child does not have problems.

The bow is one of the most important parts of the violin. Except for techniques such as pizzicato, which touches the strings with the fingers, everything else we play on the violin will pass by using a bow. This is a fairly simple piece in design, but it has a considerable impact on the performance of the violin.

Important Factors When Deciding To Buy A Violin Bow

As the most important advice, it is recommended to make sure that the heel, the bristles, and the tip are aligned. If not, try to get rid of that bow and get another one.

Pay attention to the materials used. In the cheapest bows, the bristles are usually synthetic, so this affects the sound obtained when playing. In addition, some materials, such as plastic, do not have the durability of wood and tend to wear out faster and more frequently.

Check that the button works correctly and allows adequate bristle tension. For correct tuning the bristles must be at an adequate tension, since otherwise, they can cause alterations in the sound obtained, causing bad habits and poor learning in beginner students.

Is An Electronic Violin Recommended?

The electronic violin is played basically like an acoustic violin and does not present excessive changes in the technique of the instrument. However, its sound and the way it is produced are radically different, since, as it does not have a soundboard, the electronic violin needs to be connected to an amplifier and its corresponding speakers to be heard properly (without these devices it produces a weak sound). The appeal of an electronic violin is based on the possibilities and facilities offered by technology when it comes to recording and editing our music, as well as the sound effects that we can produce with it and the right equipment.

However, teachers in the field recommend beginning the study of the violin in its acoustic variant (that of a lifetime), since, in this way, the youngest will become familiar with the instrument and its natural sound, and they will be able to practice tuning (important in an instrument like this) and thus develop the musical ear.

The 5 Best Violins For Children About Quality And Price

Violin 1/2 By Gear4music

This size violin is made of solid spruce and maple, a common combination in violins because the woods are strong, light, and flexible. This type of construction is temporary, and they achieve the classic sound using fine tuners.

The smooth fretboard and ergonomic chin rest are designed to keep learners comfortable and able to practice for as long as they need. The bow is made of hardwood, one of the best options for this section due to its durability and density. The violin includes a hard case, rosin, and a sturdy wooden bow, so you have everything to start playing whenever you want. The instrument is funky pink, it has a look that will make it stand out on stage.

In some violins some cracks are formed on the edges, to prevent this from happening you will find a fillet with inlays on the top of the violin. The sound produced by the violin is very stable, harmonious, and soft; in addition, its tuning is fast. To help beginners, it has steel core strings, one of the strongest.

Easter 1/2 Violin Eva-3

The EVA-3 model is available in size and 4/4. To choose the best size, it is recommended to measure the distance between the neck and the left palm. The size of the violin should be according to that length, a bigger one could be very uncomfortable to play.

To make learning the instrument easier, the fingerboard has finger plates. In this way, learners will easily find the correct position to play the violin. With this, you avoid having to buy stickers since these reflect light and can be annoying.

Tuning is a difficult process, more so than that of the guitar. It is best to look for professional tutorials adjusting your instrument, so little by little you learn and the task becomes easier. To fine-tune the violin is the fine adjustment knob. What is recommended is to set AD first and then GE.

However, EVA makes this process easy with its pitched twelve-rhythm digital tuner. It has a very simple and portable backlight function. how does it work? You must first start the tuner, place it on the violin head and select the V function. Then, when the light is green, it is because the pitch is already accurate.

For the configuration of the bridge, you must take into account that it has to be high and that it has to coincide with the middle part of the sixth hole of the violin. After placing the bridge, the strings are placed and you can now use the tuning as normal.

Forenza

Forenza violins are of excellent quality and are special for taking the first steps in music. This model belongs to the Uno series and includes everything you need to start playing instantly. The lining of the instrument is rigid in blue and is lined with plush on the inside. The carrying straps are comfortable and their length can be adjusted.

If you don’t know how to set up a violin, don’t worry. Well, this one already has the strings tightened and the bridge adjusted, so it is very easy to use as soon as you receive the instrument. In addition, it has a varnish finish to give it a characteristic wood color of the violin.

It is a comfortable violin to play thanks to the headrest, it also provides stability. To tune the instrument you have four string adjusters and an integral tailpiece. The pegs and fretboard are quality, so the sound is very good and the look of the violin is sophisticated.

Easter Eva-2 4/4

This Easter model is made of spruce wood panel, the back is maple and the sides are inlaid with varnish. It is entirely handmade, the touch feeling is very smooth because the surface is smooth. The Easter 4/4 Violin is designed so that beginners can find their optimal playing position and learn the best form of violin fingering through daily training. This helps exercise muscle memory.

Tuning is not that easy, at first you may need to search for a tuning tutorial; but, with time and practice it gets easier. After learning to tune, you’ll be able to do it yourself in no time. Also, the tuning knob has a lot of friction, so it doesn’t go out of tune easily. To make it easy for beginners to find the correct neck position quickly, the fretboard has some notches as indicators. The rigidity of the chin can be adjusted with a small screwdriver. Includes a hard case, a wooden bow, rosin, armrests, two violin bridges, and an extra set of strings.

Pink Solid Wood Violin

The violin has a carved maple neck as well as the back. On the other hand, the upper part is made of solid spruce. The instrument is available in various sizes: 1/8, 3/4, and 4/4. Includes the case to protect and transport the instrument, belts, and rosin. The color is pink, but not as bright as it looks in the photos. In reality, its color is like a delicate pink, much less bright.

It is an ideal violin for beginners, the sound is very pleasant and the music it produces is enjoyable. On occasion, the electronic string may fail; but in that case, you can use the replacement electronic string provided by the seller. The bow adapts to the conditions of each musician, making it very comfortable to play. In addition, it is firmly attached and comes with rosin to keep the bow in good condition.

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