Should I get DD a violin without lessons?

Can you get your dad on the waiting list of the teacher and Father Christmas could give her a 'violin voucher' because you have to be nearly 6 to actually learn. You could do this plus a recorder as suggested previously.

My dd started simple lessons of guitar and piano at 5ish. She mostly just played around and learned a chord or two and didn't practice at all. It was as much babysitting as lesson. Dd grew comfortable with music and instruments and appreciation for musicians. I had always said that when she was ready to practice, I would pay for proper lessons. She finally started proper lessons when she was 13. She wants to be a singer/songwriter and has a wonderful appreciation for music and comfort with her instruments. She may not be as professionally developed as a classically trained musician who's been doing it properly since age 5, but she's done it just right for her personality and chosen profession.

Raindrops' response is perfect

It is nonsense that beginning violin students always make such a terrible sound. A decent teacher with a committed student will start by having some occasional squeaks and scratches, but no loud or long-lasting ugliness.

I think you should talk to your daughter, explain about the lessons, and don't buy the instrument until you find a teacher. If you give her a violin without lessons, some of the magic will be lost, as she won't be able to play it at all, and may well break it (violins are quite delicate).

My guess is that if your daughter is really keen and you are willing to help with practise, one of the teachers would be happy to give her lessons. Of course, they might be too busy, or totally against teaching 5-year-olds, but I think most teachers just want to avoid little kids who aren't ready to concentrate and aren't really that interested.

At this age, you really need a parent who is willing to put a bit of effort into the project. Without an interested parent, who makes sure that the child is doing what the teacher says, and keeps the mood cheerful and positive, 5 is probably a bit young.

You can get a child's violin for £40 on Amazon. Buy the violin and organize the lessons. But organize piano lessons at the same time. I highly recommend the Simply Music method. My 15 year old dd is taking lessons in Los Angeles with this method and she has improved enormously (despite not being terribly interested in the rigor of practicing). It's sort of like suzuki method but for piano. It really helped across the board with her guitar and ukulele and songwriting.

Father Christmas says that children need to learn a simple instrument first to understand the notes and sounds. Recorder?

It has to be the most gut wrenchingly god awful sound the violin when they are starting out. Do you know what she's seen/heard it in? DS used to stop and say Mammy - you're making faces! I hadn't realised I was but it's like listening to nails scratching down a blackboard and I suppose I was wincing or something. He now plays beautifully but my God it doesn't come without pain torture

Don’t buy her one without lessons. I played since age 6 with a suzuki teacher. If you’re not going to get her one and arrange lessons explain to her she needs to wait to X age.

Also she will go through multiple violins as she grows bigger so instead of buying one, organise some lessons and rent a violin!

No because she will get into bad habits. But DS1 has been learning since he was 3.5 and has cleared Grade 1 and he's 5. Admittedly he's super committed and practises loads without much pushing but she's not that young at 5! I am surprised you can't find a teacher.

Terrible idea! It’s expensive and the noises that will come out will be horrific!

Plus, in all seriousness, there’s a reason why music teachers start with very slightly older pupils; younger ones aren’t ready. I’d be concerned that she’ll get into terrible habits that she’ll never break.