Violin Question – What is the best one to learn on?
I want tο bеɡіח taking violin lessons. I һаνе thrown myself іח tο mу education аחԁ I аm аbουt tο graduate college. I һаνе always wanted tο learn tο play tһе violin аחԁ wаѕ wondering wһаt instrument I ѕһουƖԁ ɡеt. I see ѕοmе violins tһаt аrе selling fοr 50.00 bυt I һаνе аƖѕο heard tһеу аrе חοt tһе best tο learn οח. Wһаt ԁο уου tһіחk іѕ a ɡοοԁ violin? Mу budget іѕ חο more tһаח 300.00
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Yeah; stay away from Ebay. Anything less than $200 is going to be absolutely worthless. It would cost more to get into playable shape than the initial cost of the instrument.
You can get a pretty good student violin for $300. I’d look at this one:
These are set up beautifully and guaranteed, with free shipping.
Look for an instrument that has ebony fingerboard and pegs. If it is new it should be adjusted to MENC standards.
Do not buy any violin that is painted. Avoid instruments made in China or sold in department stores.
Check Craig’s list.
You should be able to find a good used instrument for under $300. A good new instrument for a beginner is going to run $375 +
If you have a local violin shop (sells mostly violins) go there. They want to stay in business so they are not going to cheat you.
Age does not mean anything on a violin if it is in excellent condition.
The previous 2 posters gave decent answers but they forgot to mention the necessity of buying a bow to go with your violin. You HAVE TO HAVE A BOW in order to play the violin, so your $300.00 budget has to include a bow, and a case to keep everything in, as well. Violins don’t automatically come with a bow and a case unless you purchase a “violin outfit”.
As you’ve already been advised, stay away from anything on Ebay. And I would avoid buying, sight unseen, over the Internet at all, unless you live out in the middle of nowhere with no opportunity at all to visit a violin shop and there is no alternative. IMO, you really need to hear what a violin sounds like before you buy it. Go to a violin shop, and look at a number of different instruments in your price range. Get a violin-playing friend or a store sales associate to play each of the violins you like while you listen with your back turned. The instrument that sounds best to you is the one you want.