How long they use a 3/4 size violin?

[Linguaphile]

DD has been doing well in her violin lessons, and her teacher says she will need to move up to a 3/4 size in the next few months (she’ll be 8 by then and is tall). We’ve managed to find a decent 3/4 (it will be a definite upgrade from her current violin but is still technically a student instrument), and are wondering how long should we expect that she will be in the 3/4 size, on average?

Gosh, sorry, that title and post could have done with a proofread.

It depends on the length of the arm from neck to wrist. Anecdotally, my tall 10 year old niece is on a 3/4 size.

My average 11 year old is still on her half size -
She's finding it easier to stick with it while learning vibrato etc (and she absolutely loves it and is refusing to move on currently !)

Oops.. meant to say, I therefore don't expect her to be on a 3/4 size as long when she eventually moves on to one.

Thanks, that’s good info. She’s got long arms for her age and the half size is okay for now, but her teacher said she expects she’ll be ready for the 3/4 by the end of summer. We are hoping she gets more longevity out of the 3/4 than she has out of the 1/2, which she’s only had for 9 months. It’s encouraging that kids are using them up until age 10/11!

Goodness it's so variable! DD was on a half for 3 years and a 3/4 for 9 months... she went onto the full size in January this year aged 13. But she is quite petite.

Dd used a half size for about 3 months but a 3/4 size for over 2 years...

Do you remember when you had your growth spurt? Some y6 get very tall, some not till y7 or later. DD is y4 and around 4'10, on a 3/4 since last summer. I'm reckoning optimistically another two years on 3/4, realistically full size may be too tempting summer after y5.

It's always a balance between wanting the bigger tone and smaller instruments being easier to play. So if you have a nice 3/4 it'll probably last longer!