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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

Violin advice

40 replies

PinotAndPlaydough · 30/09/2018 16:11

My 7 year old is going to be starting violin lessons soon. Has anyone got any advice on what type of violin to buy, I’m guessing it’s not really something you can scrimp on but we are on a budget. One one off eBay be a terrible idea?

OP posts:
4strings · 30/09/2018 17:36

Yes, you'll need a 1/4 bow.

PoshPenny · 30/09/2018 17:25

No bow you can buy them separately. What about rosin and a shoulder rest? She'll need them too. They may or may not be with the violin.

YeOldeTrout · 30/09/2018 17:23

Looks like it. £10 on Ebay (delivered).

Original poster
PinotAndPlaydough · 30/09/2018 17:17

I’ve found a stentor going for £30 but it doesn’t have a bow. Do they need certain sized bows too?

OP posts:
YeOldeTrout · 30/09/2018 17:05

we didn't spend that much (DD got to grade 5 material on 2nd hand Stentor cost me about £60). We hired for primary years, though.

Original poster
PinotAndPlaydough · 30/09/2018 17:00

Wow, thank you. Her teacher has actually never taught before although she’s currently a grade 8 (local teen who wants to earn a bit of money). She suggested my daughter get a 1/4 violin to start with. I’ll have a look at hiring, I didn’t even know it was an option. I’ve been reading some past threads and am now terrified that if she loves this I could be look at ££££££ in the future!

OP posts:
4strings · 30/09/2018 16:40

Hiring isn't necessarily cheaper though. Stentor are okay for starter instruments and you'd be able to get one for under £100.

If she gets good be prepared to be forking out money all the time Grin. Strings, rosin, shoulder rests, bows etc.

You definitely don't need to start spending serious money yet. We bought dd her first 'decent' violin over the summer, but that was driven by the fact she was outplaying her old one (she's working toward Grade 5). Plenty of her string orchestra friends use student instruments and they do the job fine.

LesLavandes · 30/09/2018 16:32

Hire

CherryPavlova · 30/09/2018 16:27

Mine started at 4 with a hired quarter size. We bought a cheap student one at about 8 - something like £85 in around 1990. We upgraded at about age 12 to one costing about £500 and that did her fine until she’d reached, I think, grade 6 (about age 14) and we spent more as it was clear she was going on to higher grades and County Youth Orchestra etc. She still plays at 25 so it has never felt like wasted money and as it’s held it’s price, she can always sell it, if necessary.

I really wouldn’t spend much at such a young age. As someone said, ask the teacher for local advice as violins can run into tens of thousands for reasonable but not special instruments. I’d save that amount for higher grades or if they decided on a music career.

4strings · 30/09/2018 16:24

My dd started at 6, nearly 7, on a 1/2. Moved up to 3/4 at 9 and now at nearly 11 is on a 4/4. The test is if they can comfortably bend their fingers round the scroll having stretched out their left arm. One from eBay is fine, but unless you can set it up you might struggle.

I'd ask the teacher though.

horseymum · 30/09/2018 16:21

You can get violins relatively cheaply but the teacher will struggle to teach your son on one that will not hold its tune, eg the pegs slip etc.it can be off putting for your child if it is never in tune! Are there older children at the school who have grown out of theirs?

claraschu · 30/09/2018 16:19

A 1/2 size might be a bit big for a 7-year-old. I think one off eBay might be fine, but if she is small/average for her age, I would get a 1/4 size.

horseymum · 30/09/2018 16:18

Thats great he is getting the opportunity to learn, some a fantastic thing to be part of. Can you ask his teacher, they will recommend a brand and size and will be very used to working within a budget for that I'm sure. Will you be able to borrow one for a while? They start on small ones to start with and need a new size as they grow so borrowing is good. Some shops will do part exchange if you stick with them. There is an assisted purchase scheme for new instruments for children in state schools in the UK, might be worth looking at. Good luck, and there is a very helpful monthly music thread here if you have more questions.

sleepismysuperpower1 · 30/09/2018 16:16

one off ebay would be fine, often people are selling them because their child outgrew the instrument or stopped playing. i found this one here:www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Primavera-Violin-1-2-Size-7-9-Years-Old-with-Case/232940888981?hash=item363c5be395:g:kvkAAOSwZl1bqkig

Helenluvsrob · 30/09/2018 16:15

Wait and hire for a few months then ask the teacher to keep an eye out for 2nd hand.
Absolute beginner instrument can be pretty poor without noticing !

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