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Karen T
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| Posted: Oct 27 2009 at 6:37pm | IP Logged
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My dd 8 wants to learn the violin. Yay, finally some interest - our violin has been sitting unused for 5 years after older ds quit it (now plays a mean electric guitar). However, she is a tiny thing and nowhere near ready for the full-size one we have (and I just had repaired, new strings, new hair on bow, etc b/c it sat unused for so long)
The local music store, where she would start taking lessons, measured her arm and said 1/4 size. Of course they rent them, and they apply the rental payments toward purchase of a full size, and allow trade for half-size when appropriate, on up to the full. However, they also have older, previously rented 1/4 size violins for $95. My older ds actually worked for this store as temporary help during their busy back-to-school season, and he said the rule is a instrument is 'retired' after 4 rentals. Odds are, none of the rental periods of a 1/4 size violin would be a long time, right? So it's probably not terribly old but I have no idea how to tell whether it's in good, bad or terrible shape, etc. myself (I play several wind instruments and piano, but no strings)
So my question for those of you with experience in violins, am I crazy to think of just purchasing one of these cheap 1/4 size violins? The rental would be $22 per month, and I figure if she keeps the 1/4 size for 5 mos, I've covered my purchase price. The manager kept trying to talk me into the rental, reminding me the monthly fee would be applied toward purchase of a full size violin. I kept pointing out that I already owned a nice full size violin (I was picking it up from repair at the time). I know they make a lot of their profit on rentals, especially on the damage insurances, etc so I think that's the reason for the push, but I just wanted to be sure I'm not making a huge mistake.
If the 1/4 size for purchase is not a very good violin, is it going to be harder for dd to play or learn? She does not grow fast (usually gains about 2-3 lbs/year) so I really think it's possible she might still be using it for a year before needing to get a 1/2 size.
Karen T
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Oct 27 2009 at 7:42pm | IP Logged
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what's teh difference in size between the 1/4 size and 1/2 size? could she be right near the edge and would be in a 1/2 size much faster? Do they have the other sizes in reasonable prices for buying? Or could you use the payments toward the 1/2 or 3/4? violin that she might be in longer than the 1/4?
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MarilynW
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| Posted: Oct 27 2009 at 7:43pm | IP Logged
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Karen
We started off renting - but now we just buy violins from Shar Music- we buy a cheaper student violin which has always been great quality (recommended by our violin teacher) - I believe that Shar lets you return the violin to upgrade too - we don't do this as we have younger ones who will be using them. My twins started playing at 8 years old and started with a quarter. They then moved up to half when they were 9.
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happymama
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| Posted: Oct 27 2009 at 9:32pm | IP Logged
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I started with a 1/4 violin I bought brand new off Ebay for $40. It was quickly out-grown, so again I bought a 1/2 for another $40. Both included a hard "backpack" case and 2 bows. Both have been very adequate for learning. I assume if we are still progessing by the time we need a full-size, I will invest in something more expensive.
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Karen T
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| Posted: Oct 28 2009 at 8:18am | IP Logged
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Oh thanks for all the quick replies. I never even thought about checking ebay - I just did and found one with everything like you said, for $49, free shipping, brand new. To me, the $99 at the music store seemed cheap (b/c I paid $500 for our full-size at a private violin store, but it is supposedly a very good violin), but I should have known the music store would be higher than online, and those were used also. Thanks so much for the recommendation! I have a very happy little girl here this morning (she's been saving her own money for this - I'm going to pay half)
Karen T
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4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: quarter size violin
