How to Buy a Violin Without Spending a Fortune
There is something so special about buying a violin for your child so they can learn to light the world through music! But at the same time, it can feel confusing and nerve-wracking if you don’t know how to find the right one. I know that a violin can be a big investment, so I’d like to share my top buying tips and things to look for when buying your first violin for your child.
Hi, I'm Melodie with the Violin Practice Partner, and I've been teaching violin for 25 years. It's my mission to help children learn to play the violin, while also gaining confidence, learning important life skills, and improving their academic achievement.
First, I have great news! Beginners may not even need a violin for the first several months! A box violin or foam violin, like we include in our starter kit from mytwinklemat.com, can get your child through the initial stages of learning the foundational skills and the proper bow techniques.
Here’s a basic violin shopping list:
- Violin (which often comes with a bow)
- Bow resin (to protect the bow hairs and create a cleaner sound)
- A sturdy case to protect the instrument between lessons
- A chin rest to protect your child’s neck
Before visiting any music store, do your research on which stores around your area specialize in string instruments like the violin, viola, cello, or double bass. It is very important that the sales associates know how to properly fit your child for the right size of violin for their body and hands.
Ask someone in the violin shop to play the violins for you so you can hear the difference in sound and sound quality. A ‘good deal’ will only feel good in the shop, because even the greatest of violinists will sound bad on a poor instrument. Do you need a $30,000 beginner violin? No! Absolutely not. But, as usual, you get what you pay for, so be cognizant of that. I would definitely recommend steering clear of anything under $100.
When you’re thinking about making a purchase, ask if the violin shop will allow you to trade in your instruments as your child grows and needs a larger instrument. It will save you a lot of time and money if you don’t have to try and figure out how to sell the instrument your child has outgrown.
Don’t forget to ask your violin teacher for recommendations! They will likely have some good suggestions about where to start looking in your local area, and how much you can reasonably expect to spend.
For older children, one way to help with the cost of the instrument is to encourage them to take on some extra work and save up to a certain amount. They could mow the neighbors’ lawn, clear the walks of snow in the winter, take on a paper delivery route, work at the local library, or other part-time positions that will not only make it easier on your wallet but will also empower them to take ownership of their music lessons and increase their commitment to their craft.
Your local music studio may even have opportunities for them to mentor younger students, become a practice partner, or help clean up around the studio. You’ll never know until you ask!
If it makes sense for your situation, you can also ask your family for their support. You may have grandparents who want to support their grandchildren or other family members who would like to pitch in. They may need help around the house, or may just be happy to contribute a little bit each month towards tuition or a violin as a birthday present. This is a great way to help them feel connected to your child, and maybe your child can put on a special “mini-concert” for them as a thank you!
If you aren’t sure if you’ll remember all this, don’t worry! I took all of the notes for you. You can get our free Violin Buyer’s Guide here. As always, thanks for reading, and feel free to reach out if you have any more questions.
