Contents
Are you ready to join the ranks of the stringed instrument elite? With ‘Violins 101: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide’, you can finally learn all you need to know about violins.
From choosing the right size for your arm length, to deciding between electric and acoustic instruments, this comprehensive guide will provide you with the knowledge and resources you need to make a smart purchase.
Plus, we’ve included cheat codes for beginners and resources for online lessons.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started on your journey to becoming the next great violinist!
Key Takeaways
- Violin sizes are determined by arm length, with full-size violins being suitable for larger adults.
- There are recommended violins at different price ranges, including budget violins, mid-range violins, and premium violins.
- Commonly used woods for violin making include spruce for the tops and maple for aesthetic purposes.
- The bow has a significant impact on the sound of the violin, with factors such as horse hair, wood, and balance point playing a role.
Choosing Size
When choosing a violin, you’ll need to consider the size. For younger players, violins come in sizes 1/10, 1/8, and 3/4, depending on arm length. For adults, a full size 4/4 violin is recommended, while arm length of 16 inches would fit an 1/8 violin. Arm length between 20.5 to 22 inches would fit a 3/4 violin.
Factors to consider when choosing the right size include age, arm length, and playing style. It’s important to make sure the violin is the correct size to ensure comfort and correct technique.
Recommended Violins
If you’re looking to buy a violin, you’ll want to consider the recommended violins for each price range.
Budget violins are available for under $500, with Mendini by Cecilio, Eastar, Stentor, and Antonio Giuliani notable choices.
For mid-range prices up to $1500, DZ Strad 220, Stentor 1560A, DZ Strad 365, and Yamaha V7 are popular picks.
For premium violins above $1500, DZ Strad Maestro Old, DZ Strad 509, DZ Strad 800, Conrad Götz Heritage Cantonate, and Scala Vilagio R.O. Guarneri Superieur Solo are quality options.
Electric violins offer unlimited tone shaping options, but acoustic violins remain popular.
Consider both options before making your purchase.
Violin Woods
Once you’ve chosen the right violin for you, you’ll need to consider what woods are used for construction and how they impact the instrument’s sound.
Spruce is the wood of choice for violin tops due to its strength and workability.
Maple is used for aesthetic purposes, having minimal sound impact.
Poplar wood is occasionally used as well.
Different techniques are used to treat and age violin wood to bring out the best sound.
Good quality wood should be aged for at least two years before being used for violin making.
The aging process is essential to bring out the best sound of the violin.
All of these factors when combined make the perfect violin.
Essential Parts
There are over 70 different parts to consider when selecting a violin, both external and internal.
The external parts include the scroll, neck, fingerboard, shoulder rest, bridge, f-holes, and strings.
Internally, the soundpost and bassbar are essential components. The soundpost prevents the belly of the instrument from collapsing and transmits vibrations for optimal sound quality. The bassbar strengthens the top plate and also transmits lower frequencies.
To ensure longevity of the violin, it’s important to maintain the parts properly, such as re-tightening the strings and ensuring the bridge is correctly fitted.
Additionally, it’s recommended to get the instrument professionally serviced once a year to check for any damage that may have occurred.
Bow Impact
The bow is an integral part of the violin’s sound. It’s important to consider the quality of the bow when purchasing a violin. Factors affecting the sound of a violin bow include the type of horse hair, the type of wood, and the balance point. Quality bows range in price from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
Wooden bows such as the ADM Brazilwood, Londoner Three Star, DZ Stradi 524, Paititi bow, and Fleur-de-Lys Bow are recommended for beginners.
Carbon fiber bows such as the Kmise Carbon Fiber, VingoBow Carbon Fiber, Fiddlerman Carbon Fiber, and CodaBow Diamond GX offer more durability and greater sound quality than wooden bows.
Understanding the bow’s impact on the sound of the violin is important when making a decision.
Conclusion
Now that you know the basics of playing the violin, you’re ready to make an informed decision when buying one.
Be sure to consider the size, wood, and essential parts of the instrument, as well as the impact of the bow on sound.
Beginners should take advantage of the resources available for online lessons.
With the help of this guide, you can confidently choose the perfect violin for your needs.
I’m thrilled to be able to share my passion for music with others through this audio blog, and I can’t wait to connect with fellow music lovers from all around the world. Let’s rock on!