Helping You Solve the Confusion of Changing Violins for Students in Five Minutes
In the process of learning the violin, as students gradually grow, it's important to timely replace their current violin size; otherwise, using an ill-fitting violin can hinder their practice. Thus, we need to establish a plan for students to transition to a new violin.
I believe that a superior-performing violin can offer players a comfortable playing experience. This is crucial for students, as they require extensive and repetitive practice during their beginner stages. If the violin is of poor quality, this could lead to a frustrating experience. Many students find it difficult to persevere due to subpar violins. Therefore, in the upcoming violin replacement plan for students, the recommendations provided are all focused on instruments that offer high value for their cost. Of course, there's no need to invest in overly expensive instruments for students, considering they will soon outgrow them due to size constraints.
Four Essential Factors You Must Know as a Parent
1: Violin Size
The violin comes in different sizes, such as 4/4 (also known as full size), 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, and so on. Different sizes are suitable for different ages. 4/4 is suitable for adults or students in their teens, 3/4 is suitable for students aged 9-11, 1/2 for students aged 6-10, 1/4 for students aged 4-7, and 1/8 for students aged 3-5. However, this division is just a reference; the specific size should also consider the child's arm length.
2: How to Measure Students for Size?
First, have the student stand naturally upright. Then, use a measuring tape to measure the length from the student's neck to the center of their palm. Finally, refer to the violin size chart to choose the corresponding violin size.
3: Price of Student Violins
Generally, the price range of student violins is around $200 to $1000. Violins priced below $200 are hard to guarantee in terms of quality, while those above $1000 tend to be relatively expensive.
4: Violin Materials
A proper violin front (top) is made from spruce, the back, sides, and scroll are made from maple, and the fingerboard is made from ebony. Be cautious not to choose violins made from inferior materials; even though their prices might be lower, they are only suitable as decorative items and not suitable for regular student practice.
Plan for Changing Violins
During the process of learning the violin, students typically begin with an entry-level violin. After studying for a certain period, it's advisable to consider upgrading to a better quality violin. As their playing skills improve, if they have performance needs, they might require a solo or professional-grade violin.
1: Student's First Violin
The student's first violin, also referred to as an entry-level violin, is a crucial choice. If the student is quite young, let's say 4 years old, I recommend selecting the Entry-Level Violin Outfit for Student & Kid L004.
Four years old is a good age to begin learning the violin. At this stage, the focus is primarily on cultivating the child's interest and habits. While performance expectations aren't overly high, the violin still needs to meet certain standards.
The L004 violin is defined as an entry-level instrument and is best suited as a student's first violin. Priced at $259, it offers stable performance and balanced sound, perfectly meeting the daily practice needs of students. Moreover, it's reasonably priced and available in various sizes, suitable for students of different ages.
2: Ideal Choice for Upgraded Violin
The Fiddlover Upgraded Violin Outfit for Student & Kid Q044 is an excellent option when students are looking to upgrade their violins. It comes in a wide range of sizes, catering to the diverse violin size requirements of students.
Priced at $740, Q044 might seem relatively expensive for an entry-level violin, making it more suitable for intermediate or upgrade purposes. Of course, you get what you pay for, and this violin offers exceptional performance, delivering clear and smooth sound with a warm tone. The top plate is crafted from Siberian spruce, while the back plate is made from high-quality maple sourced from China, displaying natural maple patterns. After 9 years of natural air-drying, the wood exhibits outstanding acoustic qualities.
3: Violin for Solo or Performance Use
For students participating in concerts, an instrument comparable to a professional violin in quality is necessary. The Fiddlover Retro Violin Outfit Q045 is the ideal choice for such occasions.
Priced at $998, Q045 comes in 4/4, 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4 sizes, excluding 1/8. Each violin features a striking one-piece flame maple back, showcasing exquisite flame patterns. Its performance is suitable for intermediate to advanced violinists, making it a great option for students to use during performances.
Finally, every violinist should be able to enjoy the comfortable playing experience that a high-quality instrument brings. The three recommended violin outfits mentioned above can essentially meet the needs of most students while ensuring stable quality, making them a reliable choice for purchase.