Top Violins for Kids – Guide & Comparison
If you are searching for a gift or want your children to start learning how to play the violin but have little time or experience to search the many offers available these days, you have come to the right place. Our team has examined the product specifications of many violins currently available for online purchase, and, after taking customer reviews and professional feedback into account, we have found out that the best violin for kids is the Cecilio CVN-300. This full-size violin with solid wood body features ebony fingerboard and a tailpiece with 4 detachable fine tuners that are made out of nickel. Since it includes many other items such as a chromatic tuner, a lesson book, and a lightweight hard case, this complete kit is recommended as a first buy. Because of it also up for sale at an incredibly low price, the item might soon be sold out. If this is the case, another product that you should take into consideration is the Mendini MV300 violin.
Comparison Table
Our Top Choice
When it comes to violins for kids, the CVN-300 model is one of the most appreciated options on the market, given that it’s a complete kit that includes useful gadgets and a lesson book. The full-sized violin features a solid spruce top, as well as a maple back that ensures its durability. Moreover, the wood neck and sides feature an antique varnish, while the fingerboard is made out of ebony.
In some cases, the pegs included in the violin’s construction were loose, so tuning the instrument was rather difficult. If you encounter this issue, you can either contact the seller or a local music shop.
Given its good construction and the affordable price, this model is definitely one you should take into consideration as you are looking for a violin for your kid.
2nd Best
Recommended for both beginner and more experienced players, the SV-175’s construction features selected wood that offers the finest sound. Receiving great ratings from students and professors alike, this violin is available in multiple scales. The model’s best version is the full-sized one, as it offers the fullest tones. Moreover, the instrument is delivered with a built-in hygrometer.
During manufacturing, it’s possible for certain small elements to remain within the violin, as some users have reported in their reviews. Of course, you can take them out.
The SV-175 features a construction that ensures a very good performance suitable for both beginners and experienced players, so do keep it in mind.
Also To Consider
Known for its good performance and affordable price, this violin is specially designed for kids who are just taking their first steps on this path. For this reason, the size of the instrument is reduced to a 1/16 scale, making the 8-inch body lightweight and easy to use for young players. Furthermore, the blue high-gloss makes it look very cool and attractive, motivating them to study.
According to some reviews, the carrying case is not of the highest quality, as it can break if not properly used, so you might need to get a new one. However, the violin’s quality surpasses this.
This beautifully designed violin is made of high-quality materials and renders very nice sounds, all for an affordable price, so you should give it a try.
6 Best Violins for Kids (Reviews) in 2021
In order to help you decide on what the best kids’ violin is, we have written some children’s violin reviews. The products featured are some of the most appreciated items currently for sale, products that many customers have appreciated for their good value for the money and quality. The violins were reviewed after taking product specifications and professional opinions into account, so check them out if you’re looking to buy a violin for a child.
- 1. Cecilio CVN-300 Solidwood Ebony Fitted Violin
- 2. Cremona SV-175 Premier Student Violin Outfit
- 3. SKY Brand New Children’s Violin 1/16 Size
- 4. Cremona SV-175 Premier Student Violin Outfit
- 5. Mendini 4/4 MV300 Solid Wood Satin Antique Violin
- 6. Eastar EVA-2 4/4 Violin Set Full Size
- Best violin books for beginners
- Yearly Guide & Report
- Frequently asked questions about violins for kids
1. Cecilio CVN-300 Solidwood Ebony Fitted Violin
One of the most appreciated products in this list is the Cecilio CVN-300 violin kit; it came up most often while we were doing our research and, given its price, it is one of the best choices available out there. The kit includes many useful gadgets and a lesson book that a children’s beginner violin should come with.
This violin is a full-size product, with a solid spruce top and a maple back. The neck and sides are also made out of wood and have an antique varnish. The fingerboard is made out of ebony, one of the best wood types available at this price, and it has four fine tuners mounted on the tailpiece, besides the normal tuners found on the violin head. Suggested for beginners, it can also be used by intermediate players without any problems.
Cecilio includes many other gadgets in this kit which a beginner will find very useful. A chromatic tuner with metronome, a lightweight hard case, bows and an extra bridge are some of the items that you will find in the package. A 1-year warranty is issued, covering manufacturer defects.
Pros
The wood used in making this violin is well-dried and that makes it have the right feel, preventing it from warping.
Due to the quality wood, the sound will be great, and the instrument will be durable to withstand being used day by day.
Because it’s so easy to play, this violin is ideal for beginners, although it can also be used by more experienced players too.
You will be able to use this for many years before you have to upgrade it.
It comes with a fine tuner that will help any new player adjust its sound with ease, and this tuner is made of high-quality nickel, ensuring its durability.
Even the stock strings are good and that’s important for an instrument that has to be ready to be played when you get it out of the box.
Cons
It won’t handle heat well and it might break in those conditions.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($159.99)
2. Cremona SV-175 Premier Student Violin Outfit
This is another very good kids violin, recommended equally for beginners and advanced students who desire to obtain more quality and a better sound. The product features selected woods that offer the finest possible sound, and it has received great ratings from teachers and students alike.
The Cremona SV-175 is available in a variety of scales, but the best seller is the full-size version. The instrument has a maple and spruce body that meets the standards for student instruments. The violins are handcrafted, to achieve the best tone possible at this price. The fingerboard is made out of ebony, ensuring smooth and enjoyable use.
Besides from the violin itself, a case with built-in hygrometer is also included, together with a high-quality bow. The tailpiece features four built-in fine tuners and a Kaufman chinrest, the attention to detail being aimed at offering comfort at long playing periods. For this reason, the violin is also suitable for advancing and intermediate learners as well, because it offers a balanced tone and a great feel, making the product desirable by both categories of violinists.
Pros
One of the main advantages of this instrument is that it’s handcrafted and it has a premium construction, making you feel like you have a unique violin.
It’s so light and easy to hold and that is really important when you’re a beginner and you struggle with posture and holding the violin.
The violin has a rich sound and that is due to the maple and spruce body.
You can adjust its sound precisely thanks to the fine tuners found on the tailpiece.
It’s also a great instrument because it comes with a flexible octagonal bow, and you will find this piece of equipment has a great smooth response.
You also get a case with it and it’s a durable one, yet light enough.
Cons
You will find that the pegs have a small tendency to slip, making the violin go out of tune from time to time.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($259.99)
3. SKY Brand New Children’s Violin 1/16 Size
This might just as well be one of the best kids violin for sale, known for its affordable price and good performance. Designed for younger learners who are making their first steps in the world of music, the product is a smaller one – the 1/16 scale is ideal for the children who want to start learning. The 8-inch body length makes it lightweight and easy to use for those with small hands.
Featuring a blue high gloss finish, the hand-carved violin looks as good as it sounds, making it attractive for children. The instrument is factory set up and can be played right away, after tuning it. Instead of fiberglass, solid wood was used for the body and neck, to provide the best sound possible. Hardwood pegs, fingerboard and chin rest, are also featured on the product, designed to help kids who are taking their first lessons.
Included in the package is a Mongolian horsehair bow and a lightweight case that has been rain-proofed. Users have appreciated that, even though it is a very delicate and small violin, it still sounds like a real one and it looks attractive and cool, maintaining the enthusiasm high, a good thing when talking about children.
Pros
Taking into account it is a 1/16 model, it’s clear that this is for children and it does a great job when used by small kids because it only measures 8 inches.
It comes with a beautiful horsehair bow that will help your child produce sound with ease.
Because it will probably be handled harshly by some children, it’s got a solid and durable construction.
The instrument manages to be lightweight, although the materials it’s made of are very strong.
It has a slim neck and that makes it ideal for those with small hands.
With the glossy blue look, this violin will be an instant attraction for most children.
It’s not made of fiberglass, but wood and this provides a great sound.
Cons
It won’t come with extra strings or rosin, and you’ll have to purchase those separately.
Your child will feel that the fingerboard is too harsh on the fingers.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($80.37)
4. Cremona SV-175 Premier Student Violin Outfit
This high-end instrument is aimed at progressing students who want to upgrade and make a further step towards professional playing. Even though it is also suitable for complete rookies, the higher price might make it more attractive for those who already know a few things about playing it and who desire a better tone and feel.
Available with a full-scale body but also as a ½, ¼, and ¾ scale violin, the Cremona SV-200 is a versatile product that meets or exceeds the standards for students. Featuring a construction similar to those of high-level instruments played by professionals, this product is hand carved and graduated to achieve the best tone you can obtain. The body is made out of spruce and maple, the neck is made out of solid maple, and the fingerboard is made out of ebony, as are the fittings.
The tailpiece features four fine tuners that help you, together with the main tuners, to obtain a true sound. The Cremona bridge and Kaufman styled chinrest are extra features that increase the quality of this very good choice. It is delivered with a case and bow.
Pros
This is a handcrafted instrument that will make you feel you have a unique violin, and it’s also made of high-quality solid tonewoods.
It looks great and that is mostly due to its beautiful classic look that comes with a flamed maple finish.
The strings that it comes with are very responsive and they create a really nice tone, which is great for kids.
Its tailpiece is composite and it includes fine tuners that will help the child easily adjust the tonality of the violin.
The bow that it comes with is of great quality and it is made of unbleached horsehair, to help the student produce beautiful sounds.
It also comes with a lightweight case that will help with transportation.
Cons
You need to make sure the tailpiece is well-fitted otherwise the sound it produces will be a grainy one.
Sometimes the bridge may need modifications.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($284.99)
5. Mendini 4/4 MV300 Solid Wood Satin Antique Violin
This inexpensive violin is perfect as the first instrument for your children. It is affordable, yet it boasts a decent quality and solid wood build, meaning that it sounds good and can be used by intermediate learners as well.
Featuring a full-size scale, the instrument is not designed for very young learners. It features a hand-carved spruce top and maple back and sides, the wood having been selected to offer the best tone at a low price. It produces a clear sound, and it is easy to work with and tune, thanks to the four fine tuners integrated into the alloy tailpiece. The fingerboard is also made out of maple rather than ebony.
Together with the violin, you will also receive a lightweight case, a Brazilwood bow with Mongolian horsehair, a shoulder rest and a set of violin strings, making the package suitable for rookies. Besides, the quality build of the violin ensures it will last long enough, so it can be passed from generation to generation or from one child to another, once they no longer need this instrument.
Pros
This is a violin that is great for children that have reached a certain degree of knowledge and they are ready for a 4/4 instrument.
Due to the quality craftsmanship, this instrument is capable of producing a mellow sound.
It comes with strings that have a great response and they sound well with the help of the smooth bow.
This product also comes with everything you would ever need to start practicing.
The solid wood construction means that it is durable, and it will also help in producing smooth sounds.
It comes with four fine tuners, all integrated into the strong alloy tailpiece and with the help of those, your child will be able to keep the instrument in tune.
Cons
It has a maple fingerboard that can prove to be uncomfortable in the long run.
The bridge is not that solid and it will warp under high pressure.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($79.99)
6. Eastar EVA-2 4/4 Violin Set Full Size
Although it is made for the youngest students who attempt learning the violin, this model has all the makings of a good quality product. First of all, it is a full-size violin, so you should pick it for your child if he or she is serious about practicing. The materials used for it are durable, too. Made from spruce wood and maple, the violin is capable of producing a warm sound.
Because it is made with novices in mind, you will notice certain features that make it more beginner-friendly compared to other models. For instance, the fingerboard comes equipped with muscovite guides so that beginners can quickly find the correct position for their fingers.
Another thing you will like about this violin is the ease of tuning. Adjusting the sound is easy, and with each modification, you will find it comfortable to bring the instrument in tune.
Pros
A practice bow made with Mongolian horsehair is included with your violin so that you can start playing; don’t forget to apply rosin first.
You will notice right away the helpful finger guide available on the fingerboard, which is there to help novices move their fingers to the correct position quickly.
Tuning a violin can be a complicated process, but the adjustment knob present on this model, along with the instructions offered by the manufacturer, will make it much easier for you.
This model is handcrafted, so you can expect it to offer more durability and overall quality than mass-produced models.
You will receive, along with your violin, a shoulder rest, a rosin cake, a violin bridge, an extra set of strings, as well as the necessary bow made with Mongolian horsehair.
Cons
Setting it up for the first time can be a time-consuming process, and you will have to learn how to do it from external sources.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($78.99)
Best violin books for beginners
If you do not want to hire a personal teacher or take part in music courses, another good way of learning how to play the violin is by using books and online courses that will help you learn how to play the instrument as best as possible. These lessons are usually cheaper and provide a more interesting and flexible way of learning, compared to hiring a teacher.
Violin for Dummies, by Katharine Rapoport
This is one of the lesson books that came up most often while we were searching for the most popular products available on the market. It is a work that makes hiring a teacher no longer necessary, as one can become a self-taught player just by following the exercises and steps indicated in the book.
Katharine Rapoport is a successful violinist and violist who also works as a teacher at the University of Toronto. She has a wide experience both as a player and as a teacher, and in this book, she describes the steps that should be followed by a rookie.
In its pages, you will find out essential information about how to choose the right violin, musical styles, about basic details such as posture, tuning, and maintenance, as well as how to read and feel the music and mold it to your personality. Many genres are covered – jazz, country, classical, blues and many more. The steps are written in an easy-to-follow manner so that even those who have never touched an instrument can learn from this fantastic guide. Online videos and audio samples are also provided for those who purchase the book.
Pros
Some say that if you get this book you won’t be needing the help of a teacher or someone else because you can just follow the instructions and exercises in the book.
The author of the book is Katharine Rapoport, and she is a highly-successful violinist who teaches the instrument at the university level.
You can find in this book everything you need to know no matter if you’re at the start of your music career, or if you already have an idea of how music works.
You get a lot of information from this small book and that includes knowledge on how to find the best violin for you.
Some books only focus on certain music styles, but with this one, you will be able to find information about many music types, from jazz or country to classical.
Cons
Although made for beginners, some people complain that the book is hard to follow at first.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($15.72)
The Violin Fun Book: for Young Students, by Larry Newman
Written by one of the prolific teachers of California, the book is a complete guide written in an easy to read language meant at exploring the fun of creating music with a violin. Larry Newman is the director of Children’s Music Workshop, and one of the most respected music teachers in the county, who has supervised music programs in more than 80 institutions, ranging from kindergarten to college level.
The book is designed for the youngest students out there, using fun and child-centered graphics to catch the attention and maintain the enthusiasm of the player. The extra-large sized notation makes it easy to decipher even for children who have just learned how to read.
It has letter names accompanying every note, and, to keep it simple, the pages are not overloaded with material. The book can also be used in class or at a music course, even though it is written in a manner that permits parents to use it at home, with their child.
Pros
As the name suggests, this book is actually made for young students and it was created with the purpose to entertain them instead of boring them.
It is written by a teacher that has many years of experience with children, and that’s why the book is so easy to follow.
The author, Larry Newman, is known for his knowledge of teaching kids music and he has supervised many institutions that were teaching music, so it’s clear that he’s an expert.
You will find lots of drawings in this book, all made to catch the attention of the reader and offer some extra information.
Furthermore, the notations are really large, so that’s great for small children that don’t read that well yet.
You can use this book at home, or it can also serve your child well in a classroom where music is taught.
Cons
Some parents believe that this book can only be followed with the help of a teacher.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($9.95)
My First Violin Fun Book: including coloring & activity pages for ages 4 to 7, by Larry Newman
Another appreciated book written by the acclaimed music teacher Larry Newman is My First Violin Fun Book. This book is centered on helping the youngest students out there, those who have just learned how to read and use a book. It is an entry-level work that describes the first steps that one should follow when starting to learn how to play the violin.
The work is a part from a series of books written by Larry Newman, founder and director of Children’s Music Workshop and acclaimed music teacher based in California who has supervised countless projects in institutions, while also teaching students from kindergarten to college level.
Intended for children aged between 4 and seven years, it features large notation, letters inside the note heads to enable quick reading of sheet music, and coloring and activity pages. The work is meant to be fun and enjoyable, while also dealing with the most elementary aspects of playing the violin at an entry-level.
Pros
This is not just a book for teaching kids how to play the violin, as it also comes with coloring and activity pages meant to keep the reader captivated.
Due to how it’s designed it is a great choice for really young children that are learning how to read.
It is a really simple book that describes the first steps that a beginner should take when playing the violin.
Larry Newman, the writer, is one of the most renowned violin teachers for children in the country and that can be seen in this book.
The notations on every page are large so that they can be easily seen and read, and that also means the pages aren’t full of information, to avoid overloading the brain of a small child.
Cons
The book only offers the very basics of how to understand an instrument and it may become useless after a few days when your child already knows anything written in it.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($9.95)
Easy Violin Duets: for Beginning and Intermediate Violin Players, by Larry Newman
Intended for everyone on the intermediate level, this book for violin players aims at teaching more than thirty easy duets. Written by Larry Newman, the author of the music fun books series that has enjoyed great success in the USA, this guide does not include any first steps, but rather the easiest songs that can be learned by a first or second-year student. The tunes are selected to be not only easy to learn, but also fun to play and enjoyable, taking the player through several music genres.
The author, Larry Newman, is the founder of Children’s Music Workshop but he has also taken part in many other teaching activities. The book itself is a paperback version, making it inexpensive and lightweight, easy to carry around.
It was appreciated by adults as well as children, who enjoyed playing the tunes included in its pages. Many customers like the fact that it is suitable for all players in their first years of study, being relatively easy to read and covering much of what is needed by an intermediate learner.
Pros
Some violin players reach a certain level of knowledge and don’t know what to do next, and fortunately, this book comes in to help those violinists, providing a set of thirty easy-to-follow duets.
It won’t provide you with the first steps on how to play the violin but it will give those intermediate players the opportunity to play some really easy songs.
Every piece of music in this book is easy to learn, and they should also be pretty fun to play by anyone, especially children.
You get a large variety of music genres and that should help an aspiring musician find his or her path faster.
The paperback book will be easy to pack and carry around, so the player can take it anywhere in the violin case.
Cons
Some of the songs may need to be transposed to higher keys to sound better.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($9.95)
The Intermediate FUNdamental Violin Book, by Larry Newman
Another book written for intermediate and advancing students is The Intermediate FUNdamental Violin Book, written by the successful music teacher, founder of Children’s Music Workshop and project supervisor Larry Newman. A part of the series on music fun books coordinated by him, this work is intended for those who find themselves in the first or second year of learning.
With a child-friendly approach, the book is suitable for those who have started learning the violin at a very young age, and are now rather advanced for their years.
Written for kids rather than adults, the work features largely sized notation, letters inside the note heads making it easier to learn how to read sheet music and limited material per page so that it is easy to read. It also contains graphic representations and online material that can be used as extras while learning. The lesson book can be used in an organized course or at home for those who want to be self-taught and who do not desire to hire a teacher.
Pros
As the name suggests, this book is great for those intermediate players looking to have some fun as well, while learning new things.
Although destined for intermediate violinists, the book is also easy to follow by children that have a bit of experience playing the instrument.
This book will help children of all ages because it’s easy to read, thanks to the large letters and notations.
The pages are light on information and that means the person reading it won’t find it boring.
You also get a bunch of graphic representations and online materials with this book so you can expand your knowledge even more.
The book is great to be used in an organized environment like a classroom, but it can also be read at home.
Cons
This is the follow-up of the fist fun book for kids, and that means it doesn’t contain all the information needed by a beginner.
Buy from Amazon.com for ($9.95)
Yearly Guide & Report
We cannot tell you exactly what to buy, as there are many different tastes and preferences when it comes to musical instruments. In order to show you what to look after, we have written a buying guide that discusses the important details and answers questions such as how much is a violin for children? Read our guide to find out which are some of the significant features.
Choosing violin sizes
Size matters quite a lot when talking about any instrument intended for beginners and especially for children because they have smaller hands and fingers and might not be able to enjoy an adult-sized model fully. This goes for violins too – they are made in different sizes, and each is suitable for a certain player; these are 4/4, ¾, ½, ¼, 1/8, 1/10, 1/16 and 1/32.
To find out what is suitable for your needs, you must know the length of your neck and your left-hand palm, with a fully extended hand and the arm raised like when holding a violin.
The violin size can be determined with a neck – wrist approach, where instead the length from the neck to the wrist is used. This method is recommended by teachers, who claim that sizes determined with this approach are easier and more comfortable for the learners. After all, it comes down to personal preferences and taste, but a child should usually stick to what the teacher recommends, while an adult should go for the full size (4/4), regardless of what the body proportions are. Keep in mind that this detail is extremely important when talking about those making the baby steps into violin playing, and it must not be skipped or treated with superficiality.
Skill level
The skill is another detail that you have to take into consideration. It is important to know what you are going to buy, and if it is going to be used by someone else, take their level of experience into consideration before making a purchase.
Many of the violins listed in the kid’s violins reviews above are suitable for beginners who have never played a musical instrument before. They are pretty basic, some have a smaller size enabling young children to use them, and their tone is not extremely accurate.
These instruments are excellent for those who need a starting point due to their extremely affordable price. In case that violin playing is not what the child really wants, you can sell it or offer as a gift to someone else without losing money.
Some of the high-end violins mentioned above are full-scale instruments that can be used to begin learning yet they will be suitable for intermediate and, sometimes, even advanced students. These products are designed for adult players who have some sort of knowledge of music and how to play it.
Having one of these is better than spending a lot on a professional item, and they offer much more than the basic, entry-level gadgets designed for children and those making their first steps in the world of music.
Of course, in case that you are already an advanced student who can afford it, you can opt for the high-end violins that are close in terms of quality, tone, and performance to professional instruments used by the famous violinists in orchestras. These go beyond the $500 mark and are intended to last a lifetime if properly maintained. The violins in this category are handcrafted works of art that only the best players will encounter in their learning process.
Lesson books
Learners who do not want to attend organized classes or who want to keep practicing at home, besides from the organized schedule, can use a lesson book to improve their skills. There are many works available, written by teachers and professional violinists who want to help others learn.
The main advantage of being self-taught comes from the flexibility of schedule. For example, if you do not have the time or are simply not in the mood of attending the class one day, you can skip playing that day and do more when you feel like it.
With a book, you depend on no one but yourself and, these days, anyone can find additional material on the internet – in fact, most books have an online learning section with video clips, audio samples and images meant at enhancing the process.
Another great advantage is the reduced cost – rather than paying someone every time they come to your place to teach you, the book is only bought once, and no further investments are required. It is cheaper to be self-taught and can be way more enjoyable.
Books come in different levels, usually signaled through colors (if we are talking about a series). Usually, you will find entry books that describe the first steps and lessons one should follow (typically, they address children), intermediate lessons that can be accompanied by online material intended for those in their first years of study, and advanced works that are written in a professional language that an advanced student will understand.
Budget
Given the wide variety of prices and offers available these days, it is good to know the answer to this question: how much does a violin cost? It is also very important to know your limits and to take the budget into consideration, as this can narrow or widen the searching pattern.
Most entry-level violins are somewhere in the $50-$150 price range, and usually, the package includes many other gadgets useful for beginners, such as tuners, hard cases, lesson books and even extra strings or bows. Depending on the scale, their price will vary but not with a great significance.
Violins suitable for intermediate students or for those who desire to keep advancing in this activity are usually in the $150-$350 price range. These violins are full-sized models that usually replicate professional designs worth thousands of dollars.
Even though the instruments can be used by beginners, young children will not feel comfortable with their larger size; this is why they are recommended for those who have had some sort of experience with musical instruments or for adults who are pretty certain that they want to make progress in the field.
It is not uncommon to find that, in this situation, only a hard case and a bow are included in the final delivery package so you will have to take into consideration further costs with buying a tuner, lesson books, extra strings or other items that you will find necessary, according to your own preferences.
Frequently asked questions about violins for kids
Q: How Much Is a Kid Violin?
When buying a violin for your child you also need to get all the accessories, and you should consider some D’Addario strings to put on the instrument. Also, if you haven’t decided yet and you’re still looking for some of the best models for kid violins, you can find more info here.
This article should make your buying decision easier and will help you find more about the costs of a violin for kids.
Q: How much to pay?
Depending on their size, the quality of their craftsmanship, their age and the manufacturing process that they went through, violins can vary a lot in price. And that is also true in the case of violins for kids. You can get one such instrument for as low as $50, or you can pay $500 for one. The higher the price, the better the instrument and the accessories that come with it.
But you don’t always need the greatest violin, especially if you are going to move on to another model soon. If your child has plenty of experience playing the violin, he or she may need a violin that costs between $600 and $1,500, or even more if you want to keep that violin for a long time.
When buying a violin for children it’s important to consider that, if this is one of their first instruments, they will need better or bigger models soon. So don’t spend too much on the instrument. It makes more sense to pay more for a violin once the child has grown and their skill level has increased.
But don’t go too cheap either, as you don’t want the violin to feel like a toy one. You still need it to put out consistently good sounds, and for that to happen it usually must cost more than $400. Of course, there are exceptions, and you can still find great violins for slightly less than that.
No matter how much you pay for a violin, make sure it’s from a store or dealer that is reputable. You can always go to a music store. There you can find used violins that are less expensive, and offer great quality, although they may have some small aesthetical problems.
Buying vs renting
There are plenty of reasons why you should consider renting a violin for your child instead of buying one. If your child is still young and has a lot of learning to do and they are still growing, you will probably need a ¼ violin at first, so renting one is the best choice. Also, the manufacturer may provide bonus credits for upgrading to a bigger model, so that comes in handy.
Furthermore, if your child is uncertain about what instrument to play, renting is an obvious choice. You don’t want to be stuck with a violin that will never be played again. Whatever you do, don’t get a violin that is too large for your child.
When forced to play a larger violin, children will not play it well and they will also be subject to injury risks. This is where rental violins come to help, as they offer the exact size your child needs in certain periods of their growth.
Renting a violin will cost you between $15 and $50 each month, depending on the provider. This will reduce your costs significantly if you are going to rent a violin for a year or two. But after that, the costs stack up and you will find yourself paying a lot for an instrument that you don’t even own. So you need to strike a balance if you want to save some money.
Nonetheless, make sure that when renting a violin you also have all the accessories needed. These represent additional costs that you will have to consider. You will need the strings, and if you want a great set of them, you will pay $5 for each string. You also need a bow, a shoulder rest, a chin rest, maintenance equipment and a bag, and they all cost.
Rent to own programs
Fortunately, there are providers that offer you the possibility to rent a violin for a certain period, and once you pay the full cost of the violin in rent, you get to keep the instrument. Once you pay it in full, you own the violin.
Most of these programs include maintenance plans and insurance, and they are thus appealing to parents that want to get a violin for their children. That’s great news when your kid drops the violin and a string breaks or worse, the violin is damaged, as you won’t have to pay for that.
The cost of moving on to a bigger instrument is included too. These programs are great because in most cases they have the same rental costs and you have access to all the added benefits.
If you want to buy the violin sooner before the rent has covered the violin’s price in full, you can pay the rest of the value at once and get to own the violin instantly.
Q: What about the lesson costs?
Learning to play the violin is an intense activity that also costs. And if you want your child to learn faster, you need to send him or her to some private lessons. Usually, private lessons take $15 to $35 per half-an-hour out of your pocket, but if you are looking for the best professionals with the most qualifications, you can pay as much as $100 for a lesson.
Group violin lessons are less expensive and they cost between $40-100 per month. It’s considered, however, that they are not a good alternative to private lessons, but rather an additional beneficial activity to them.
Playing with a private teacher will help your child improve a lot faster than practicing alone. Another advantage of private lessons versus group ones is that the student doesn’t feel pressured and discouraged by other players with different skill levels.
A good teacher will help a young student become more confident and constantly improve. Teachers know the strengths and weaknesses of their students and that’s why they try to improve upon them accordingly.
If you enjoyed this article, perhaps you might want to read others:
- Best violin tuners
- Best violin strings
- Best Yamaha violins
- Best electric violins
- Best violin cases
- Best violin rosins
Unavailable products
ADM 1/10 Size Handcrafted Solid Wood Student Acoustic Violin
This is another example of cheap kids violin, designed for young beginners who do not want to spend a fortune on the instrument. The 1/10 size body makes it suitable for children, while the handcrafted neck and body offer a warm and pleasant tone, which matches that heard in more professional instruments.
Built from spruce, maple, and rosewood, the violin has a small size that makes it comfortable for the younger learners. It has a pleasant tone and, even though it is an entry-level product, it can be used for a long part of the training process. The neck is made out of maple while rosewood was used for the fingerboard. Fine tuning is ensured by the four built-in fine tuners incorporated into the alloy tailpiece.
The kit also includes many other things that you will find useful when starting to learn how to play the violin. A shaped carrying case with a durable exterior is delivered, together with a bow, rosin, tuner and fingerboard sticker. The manufacturer issues a 1-year warranty that ensures against manufacturing problems.
Pros
If you’re looking for an instrument that will allow your small child to practice a lot without you having to break the piggy bank, this is the one.
Its small size makes it ideal for children, and it also has a handcrafted body and neck, both of which provide a warm tone.
This is a quality instrument made from a variety of tonewoods – spruce, maple, and rosewood, all coming together nicely to give a nice tone.
To help you or your child keep it in tune, or adjust its tonality, the violin comes with four built-in fine tuners that are placed on the solid alloy tailpiece.
The instrument comes in a kit in which you will also receive all the other small articles that you might need to start practicing. The carry case and the bow are particularly nice.
Cons
For some reason, the body of this instrument is too easy to scratch.
Bibliography:
1) Choose a Violin for a Child
2) How to Choose a Violin Size for a Child