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Original poster

Help! Anyone know about violin's?

15 replies

slapheadsrock · 27/07/2006 18:17

We promised our DD that when she needed a 3/4 violin that we would buy one for her. Problem is, we know nothing about them and there are many makes out there! Does anyone have a reccommendation that will see her through the next few years and first couple of grades?

Thanks,
C

OP posts:
SenoraPostrophe · 27/07/2006 18:24

I really don't think it makes much of a difference at that level does it? I played a few at that age and they all sounded like dying cats.

LIZS · 27/07/2006 18:31

Do you have a local music shop - best to try before you buy I think and staff are usually knowledgeable.

MrsJohnCusack · 27/07/2006 18:32

The teacher should help you out and recommend makes IMO

also, local music shops will usually be v.helpful at this stage

roisin · 27/07/2006 18:50

ROFL at SenoraPostrophe!
I played the violin for 5 yrs - the sound never improved. My parents were saints.
I would never let the boys learn the violin - anything else, but not the violin.

Greensleeves · 27/07/2006 18:51

Buy her a Skylark (cheap, Chinese, mass-produced but perfectly serviceable). If she turns out to be a virtuoso you can then consider investing in something better.

I learned on a Skylark.

MrsBadger · 27/07/2006 18:54

another vote for Skylark - I had them (in various sizes) for about 10 years.
and get a second hand one - everyone grows out of them and sells them eventually. Only worth dropping a lot of dosh once she needs a full size and/or decides she loves it.

snorkle · 27/07/2006 23:39

Message withdrawn

giraffeski · 28/07/2006 00:14

Message withdrawn

kid · 28/07/2006 00:22

DD has just put her name on a waiting list to start violin lessons, am I going to live to regret it?!

Original poster
slapheadsrock · 31/07/2006 16:03

Thanks. Thinking of making her wait until christmas....

And I have to say that she has NEVER sounded like a dying cat!! I didn't really want her to start, but I have to admit, she has talent, and is very dedicated. (I can say that because that is what it said in her report!!)

OP posts:
Original poster
slapheadsrock · 31/07/2006 16:08

Thanks also to giraffeski (great name!), but she has been promised her grandma's old full size violin which has been overhauled and is about 60 years old. Needless to say that is also a great incentive to carry on!

OP posts:
Milliways · 31/07/2006 19:07

My DD had a Poller (Hungarian) 3/4 size. It was lovely and you can hire them from the local music shops. Def. sounded nicer than the really cheap Chinese ones. The same factory also make Zeller violins, a bit cheaper but also nice and very popular.

We had no trouble selling them when she outgrew them either

intergalacticwalrus · 31/07/2006 19:24

Yep, Poller/Zeller (made by Stentor) gets the vote from me too. In fact, I am a prof cellist, and I have Zeller cello and it's bloody grand.

Skylark are kack IMHO. Buying a vaguely decent instrument to learn on can make all the difference, if it's a squeaky pile of bollocks then it's not really going to spur the child on. That said, 3/4 size instruments aren't usually the best sounding ones around, but a Stentor violin is probably your best bet.

intergalacticwalrus · 31/07/2006 19:25

Also, it's worth paying a music shop a visit so she can try them out first. Most shops are fine about this.

naswm · 31/07/2006 19:34

get advice from her teacher, or the local music shop. dont buy an instrumnet 'cold'. I'd be very cautious of buying an instrument withouot someone who knows what they are doing making sure it is okay and ensuring it is right for DD. Good luck.

PS thumbs down for skylark from me!

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