Which Violin Should I Buy? How to make the best choice according to your level and skills
Back to BlogBecause violins come with so many levels and graduations of features, it’s often difficult to know which specific features to look for on which playing level. Violins also have different classifications, and finding the right match can be challenging. So, which violin should you buy? What should you consider? And should it be your priority?
In this blog, ‘Which violin should I buy?’, we will discuss the most important details you must know and remember before buying your new violin. Your violin is your voice, and so must meet your expectations of tone as well as allow development in technique and musical knowledge.
First of all, it is crucial to get an instrument that will fit you and your skills. You will want to match a violin with your skills because it helps improve both the violin and the player. Yes! A violin, a handmade one, will only develop its sound the more the musician plays it.
Speaking of handcrafted instruments, they are an excellent option, although more expensive. But at the same time, a stringed instrument like the violin is a work of art, and its craftsmanship and materials offer an opportunity for many levels of artistry. High-quality and handmade violins are instruments that will last decades, allowing you to grow musically and even sell them later when you upgrade if that is your wish.
A well-crafted violin is not just defined by its particular sound but also by the quality of its tonewood. While most violins use the same kinds of tonewood, the wood can vary in quality, which affects its price. A so-called intermediate violin is often a good choice for students who want to move beyond their starter instrument. It is a transitional one and a helpful one for musicians looking to upgrade. But keep in mind that more important than these classifications is how you feel about your current instrument and how fast you are improving.
Which violin should I buy?
Before you go to the music shop, don’t try to pick an instrument without having a budget in mind. Choosing is not easy, but this will eliminate a good amount of options. What do you want with your playing? Are you pursuing a professional career? Do you want to play solo, orchestra, or chamber? Your goal and plans as a musician are fundamental.
You have to play the instrument that feels right in your hands, like an extension of your body. What is the perfect sound? What do you want your music to be like? Your ears choose the instrument you play. The size of the violin is a factor to consider when shopping for one. The violin is a hard instrument to learn, but it’s infinitely more challenging if you start on an instrument that’s either too big in size or too small.
There are also 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, 1/16, and 1/32 violins for children. If you’re of smaller stature or have smaller hands, you may find that a 7/8 size works better. But when it comes to buying a violin—mainly a used one—it’s best to get fitted by a professional or have someone measure you.
There are a number of details that can affect the sound and playing experience of an instrument
Any violin not properly set up by a luthier will be unplayable. The bridge must be assembled, and the strings should sustain the correct tension and the pegs be correctly installed. But as you get involved, you will see other opportunities, and your goal as a musician will change. You can change the accessories, and you can ask your luthier to make adjustments to your instrument.
It’s a good rule of thumb that, as you progress in violin levels, you’ll notice that the instruments will become easier to play. A professional violinist’s sensitive fingertips allow him or her to continuously manage the sound of the instrument through sophisticated bowing techniques and fine hand movements. When you’re so serious about your music that you practice hours every day, you need a violin that’s equally serious. Fine instruments can give you the results you want as a violinist.
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The Workshop
Amorim Fine Violins is a violin, viola, and cello workshop based in Cremona. Our mission is to provide musicians with instruments so they can uniquely express themselves. We are a family business, just like the workshops of Stradivari and Guarneri. Founded in 2001 by the renowned violin maker Luiz Amorim and his wife, Betina Schreiner. We bring our fine arts experience into the violin-making field. .
