Coming soon: ViolinNutz

[ux4484]

So daughter # 2 has been playing piano since she was 6. She got her first Superior+ in National Guild this year. She wanted to join Chorus as well, but was unsure about her voice (we weren't), so she took voice this summer and her teacher said she was ready for anything high school chorus could throw at her. The chorus teacher already has her slated to play accompaniment at the Christmas and spring concerts... But only wants her to do it If she can sing while she does it (they need every good voice). She is now just considering a music major in college. She's been told by us, her teachers, and counselor that it's a definite plus to have skils in multiple instruments if she wants to earn some scholarships for said major. She has decided on her second (or third if you count voice) instrument... violin. We've been through this before with #1, and know the quality of rental instruments to be middling to poor... and pricey. So rather than pay a deposit and bi-yearly or quarterly installments.... I'm thinking affordable NEW.
Something in this range.

Any wisdom, experience, or suggestions?

[4real]

Just a quick post for now. My daughter has played Violin since about 5 (and also plays and able to pick up multiple instruments...she was able to master the entiire years concert flute for instance in 2 weeks from not able to make a sound, mainly due to good reading skills and understanding of how music 'works')...

I cant speak to any particular brand. When she first said she wanted to play violin, I suggested guitar (which she taught herself anyway later) since I had a few (lol) and when that didn't work, gave her a cheap violin, though 'real one' that I got for about $30 new. possibly 3/4 or full size. That didn't put her off, so when she wanted lessons she needed a much smaller instrument. There is a way of measuring what is suitable, but for someone that young, it might have been a 1/4 size. They will grow out of it as they grow older, but a full size violin is not appropriate that young and will frustrate. That one was ok, but in thaat $200 range.

Surprisingly, when she did grow, I had someone look at the original $30 violin and set it up for her and it played and sounded absolutely beautifully...so the 'cost' is not the deciding factor.

My advise then, would be to seek out an actual store that knows violins or a teacher who can 'measure' her up to the correct size for her age and physical arm and finger length and who can set them up correctly. If in high school, a full size instruemnt is likely approriate, but best to check regardless if any doubts as it will frustrate if not). There are all kinds of little tools to do this but if the person knows what they are doing, it does not take too long. New strings can be incredibly expensive, so be warned!! There is a 'post' inside that connects the top to the back as well that is not glued in and requires 'adjustment' to get the best tone as well, It's not like a guitar either in the ways you set things up, so the same principles do not apply. The tuners can be tricky and fine tuners are advisable and can be added and can be found cheap.

I still have a couple of electric violins...one is a bit of a novelty, the other is a beautiful looking instrument and a fair 'acoustic tone' and inlayed and been thinking of selling it. I had thought I'd learn it, but time and age means it is unlikely.

...

Music playing in kids is enormously beneficial in all manner of ways and I would encourage it. As for studying music down the road, well I did, but if a 'career' is paramount, hmmm, that being said, if it is something you love theen you will do a lot better following your passion and being able to play a musical instrument will be an interest and passion for life and always a companion.

The skills one learns in music school and advanced learning can be applied to all kinds of areas in life and it can be enormously beneficial down the road, I heard a new study that followed a large group of kids that learnt to play avidly during high school, only 2% went on to higher education in it, but around 25% continued to perform and all had a continued interest in music evenif they no longer played. Other aspects that were more 'advanced' is the ability to cooperate with others to analytical skills and self dicipline and perserverance...this has been found again and again, so certainly I'd encourage it and the violin is a beautiful instrument and not as expensive really as some other instruments...such as a sax, I can tell you!!!

[ux4484]

That's a quick post?
Thanks,
Considering she's 5'9" and has a finger spread of over an octave on piano... I'm pretty sure it'll be full sized. We are 90% sure of her teacher already (this will be next summers project) who would size her before we bought anything.
I did two years of bass viol in HS, so I do know about the sound post, and how it's unique to each instrument.
There are several EXCELLENT violin studios in the Chicago area, which is why I was scoping one that already had two bows and fine tuners on it. One setup, restringing, and bow restring will likely cost more than the instrument does. We rented a 1/2 size for daughter #1 14 years ago that was supposedly strung and setup. After taking it back twice to the dealer (Quinlan & Fabish) I finally took it to another shop who said the strings were ancient. I took a letter from that shop back to Q&F who said they would restring it but take the materials cost out of my deposit. It didn't matter too much as daughter #1 was already frustrated by the instrument and had moved on to Piano. I just gave it back to them and walked out.
Music has been much more helpful for #2 as it is a intellectual as well as soulful journey for her (at 15 she already says she can't imagine a life without music being a part of it). For #1 it was more of an academic pursuit, she could do it, but didn't feel it. She picked up my bass one summer (after she quit piano) and went through my old Mel Bay beginning bass book in a few weeks (no help from anyone). She could play everthing in it perfect... alas, It was just a technical accomplishment for her, she wouldn't improvise or attempt to make anything up... Has never touched it again. #2 sits at the Piano for hours after she finished "official" practice working on pieces she likes and making songs up as well.
Music is as different for kids as the kids are different themselves.
Daughter #2 is realistic, she knows the chances are against her for a musical performance career (other than teaching), she has several Irons in the fire for what she might want to do... All the others much more practical.
That being said... Since most college grads DON'T end up working in their field of study... Why not go for something you love (especially if scholarships are involved), and redirect with your Masters?

We're about to start our first music project together, an instrumental of AWOLnation's 'Sail'.

[4real]

LOL...well I speed type, it takes longer to be concise...otherwise you seem to know as well as I about this kind of thing, you should definitely be able to by something and full size for sure if she has that kind of stretch and height so that should be easier.

There should be quite a few secondhand ones about to I'd imagine so might want to scope that out. A lot of people attempt instruments like violins and rop them for something else or not take to them, so you might find something in that kind of market...perhaps negotiate a setup and new strings if there are reputable 'stores' about.

Otherwise, I'm a little loathe to buy muisical instruments online generally..but you should be able to get quaite a decent sounding instrument for the kind of money you are considering.

And great that you are playing together...that is a treasure...

[ux4484]

Thanks again.
My wife got on me for not being smarter about our first round with #1's violin...
I was pd, and I didn't respond to her at first, but hindsight points me in the direction that the Viol's I played in HS were terrible, ancient, public school instruments with God-awful strings sitting every summer in an UN-climate controlled closet for decades... So when we rented that horrible violin... I just thought it was normal as it was on a par with those old basses. It was kind of what... I expected. I could play it OK... my daughter... not so much. it didn't occur to me I was compensating for the poor instrument with my ability (even though at that point in my life I hadn't hardly played ANYTHING in years). My musical Renaissance had not yet begun. That situation alone may even be what got me kick started.