The violin is made from wood and metal strings. It is a musical instrument which can play both small and high pitched music.

The violin has four strings tuned in perfect fifths. A violin is played by drawing a bow across its strings, which produces the sound we are all familiar with.

If you have decided to play violin you must first choose the perfect instrument that you are comfortable with. If it’s not comfortable you might lose interest in learning how to play.

There are a lot of choices when it comes to choosing the perfect violin size for you among all violin sizes. We know that people of all age groups from two to 102 play the violin, with many first learning at ages of five or younger.

Because of this factor the violins come in different sizes to be perfect to people of all age groups and physical development.

The best violin size would be which you can hold and play perfectly without any discomfort or supporting efforts affecting you. You must be able to play your violin comfortably, bottom line.

As we mentioned before, the violin typically comes in eight main sizes.

Violin sizes correspond to the length of the body of the violin. This does not include the neck and scroll.

The smallest size would be 1/16, it is only 9 inches or 23 cm. The size keeps increasing from 1/10 up to 4/4 or full size it is about 14 inches or 36 cm You know that you have the perfect size when a violin perfectly fits you. That is when you are freely able to reach the notes.

You should be able to hold up the violin by yourself without any discomfort.

Usually adults require a full size violin. But it really depends on the individual person.

A perfect violin would be something you can hold with ease. You should be able to grip the top of the finger board with your hand and still be able to bend your arm easily at the elbow.

Thus if just a 7/8 feels comfortable for an adult, then it will be perfect for them to play. If you are buying the violin for kids then to get the perfect size would be a little confusing.

This is because the children grow rapidly when they are young so the situation would be similar to buying shoes.

The best way to find a suitable violin would be to measure to get the correct size for each child. It is very easy to measure.

You just need to ask the child to stand up straight and hold out their arm with palm facing upwards. Then you have to measure from their neck to their wrist but make sure to measure from the left side of their body.

This is a method used by a few teachers. There is a possibility that when compared with another method there can be a slight difference in the size. The other method is measuring till the middle of the palm. Thus it is better to choose the bigger size that is the next size.

VIOLIN SIZES  –    MEASUREMENT FROM NECK TO PALM

1/16          –            33.25 cm or less, 13 inches

1/10         –            36 cm, 14 ¼ inches

1/8           –            38.5 cm, 15 ¼ inches

1/4           –           44 cm, 17 ¼ inches

1/2          –           48.25 cm, 18 ¾ inches

3/4          –           52 cm, 20 ½ inches

4/4          –           56 cm, 22 ¼ inches

It is very important to choose the correct size. If the violin is too big it will be very heavy for the person to hold and play. The weight of the violin will make the arms tired and numb.

There is a possibility of developing a pain in the neck and back. This would hurt the person’s neck and back thus not allowing them to play the violin in future. They won’t be able to concentrate on the notes and play in tune. This would completely destroy their motivation to play music.

A half – size violin is neither large nor too small it is the middle size available. The length is 20.5 inches.

A full size violin would be 23.5 inches or the 4/4 violin. These measurements are not exact they can vary according to different brands by a few inches. Some brands have different sizes based on the gender.

The male violins are usually a little longer then the female variety. The difference is usually half an inch. The persons using half- size violin will be comfortable with 24.5 inch bow. This would give them an ultimate comfort and quality.

If you are beginner you should concentrate more on the price and also other features which could make it easier for them to play. They need not buy the big ones. Better start with something that is a little smaller and easier to handle. Maybe after a little practice they can move on to a bigger size. This would allow them to easily play a violin rather struggling to play the appropriate size.

Violin Sizes

•  1/16 – this is the smallest variant available in the market. There is an even smaller variant available but it is unofficial. This size would be suitable for kids between the ages of 3 to 5 years
• 1/10 – the difference between this and the previous 1/16 is very less just about 1 or 2 inches. It usually depends on the brand. It will perfectly suit 4 and 5 year olds.
• 1/8 – this variant measures 17 inches and should be played with a 19, 25 inch bow. It is suitable for 6 year olds. It will be comfortable in relation to their length and weight.
• 1/4 – for beginners within the age group of 5 to 7 years old this would be a perfect choice. The total length would be 19 inches.
• 1/2 – this is the half size violin suitable for players with a 20 inch measurement. This would provide a good transition from small to big models.
• 3/4 – the length is about 21 inches. It will be perfect for players with a measurement from 21.5 to 22 inches. It will be great with a 27 inch bow. This is usually made with better quality materials. This is because it is made for older players.
• 7/8 – this is actually a rare phenomenon because there is not very big difference between this size and the 4/4. This measures about 22.5 inches in length. This is suitable for people with small hands or young adults.
• 4/4 – this is the standard size of a full size violin. This is the most popular size available in the market. Anyone who is big enough to hold it with ease and reach all the notes would be able to enjoy this size. If the young beginners practice enough they might be able to use the 4/4 with no problem.

Size Selection Issues:

The problems we might usually face in size selection would be in children who are growing constantly. If you cannot afford to keep buying a new violin to upgrade to the next size you have a few options.

The first would be renting a violin. The other option is very simple just wait there is no hurry. Once you keep practicing with a size give it time till you grow to a stage where you can skip a few sizes.

This way it will put a time gap in between your upgrade to the next size. Thus giving you an opportunity to save money for buying your next violin. This would be perfect for those who are on a budget.

The size of the violin really has nothing to do with the performance. It all depends on how comfortable you are with your violin.

If a half –size violin is your perfect size and you feel no need for a 4/4 then stick to it and keep practicing.

Then, if some of you feel that you need a bigger size then go ahead. If you are able to play the fourth finger notes in tune then there is no problem. You will face no problem with it.

Then there is this final thing, I think everyone will have this question in their mind. When I buy a bigger violin should I buy a new bow and case? The answer is absolutely yes. You will definitely need to buy new ones. Because if you are playing a half size violin you need a perfect half size bow similarly while playing a full size violin you need a full size bow.

When buying a new violin it’s better to buy a violin, bow and its case all together. By doing so you might be able to get a discount at most of the shops. But there are few shops which sell only violin and you have to buy the bow and case separately. When you are buying a bow separately make sure you buy the right size for your violin.

Finally we have reached the end so be sure to measure your size and by your perfect violin size. Wish you good luck on choosing your perfect violin size.

The post A Beginner’s Guide to Violin Sizes appeared first on Violinio.

And since violins are also unique in that they are part of an instrumental family that makes up some of the oldest modern instruments, it’s no wonder that parts and components age and wear out. How would you feel if you were more than 100 years old and were expected to perform as wonderfully as you always have?

It is impossible not to love the amazing music that comes from a violin. From movie sound tracks and classic radio ballads to fiddler music and of course orchestral music. People of all ages are drawn to music with violins whether they realize it or not. It’s a part of our life soundtrack when you think about it from the day we are born.

It’s no coincidence then that more and more people are inclined to learn playing a violin. Unfortunately, the majority of them stop on the halfway when meeting the first obstacles.

In today’s early learning environment, it’s hard enough to learn proper holding and playing technique. Understanding how a violin works, what each part does to help it produce quality tones and how to care for and maintain these parts is not always a priority.

For all beginners it is crucial to at least know the names of the different violin parts they play. The reason is that they should clearly understand what part they need to re-tune or restring if necessary. If not, you will look like a driver who doesn’t know how to open the car hood.

To avoid similar situations and become a professional violin player, you should know all ins and outs of the instrument you play. Thus, let’s discuss them one by one and get familiar with each of them.

Violin Parts

Scroll

The very top of the violin is called scroll. It is situated above the pegbox and is generally identified by its characteristic curl design. Nonetheless, the ancestors of the violins had scrolls that were carved with figures or animals.

Tuning Pegs/Pegbox

By the scroll you can find the tuning pegs and peg box. They are located at the top of the instrument and it is here that the strings are attached at the top. In order to tighten the string, the end of it is inserted into a hole in the peg for winding it when needed. Generally the tuning process is done by tightening the peg, and with fine tuners that are used for strings needing less than half a tone.

Check Out Our Best Violin Pegs Reviews

Nut

The connector between the peg box and the fingerboard is called nut. It has four grooves and the strings sit on them so that they could be properly spaced. When restringing a violin or when the strings are very loose, you had better check whether they are sitting in the grooves at the nut and at the bridge before tightening the strings.

Strings

The strings on this instrument are tuned according to G, D, A, E from lowest to highest. They considerably vary in quality and their quality makes a big difference regarding the tonal quality produced by a violin. Generally strings are made from different metals: aluminum, gold for the E-string, steel, etc). Nevertheless, violin makers often use some synthetic materials to produce strings. Such “cat gut” strings are still popular in these days and they are made out of animal intestine.

Check out our Best Violin Strings Reviews

Neck

Another one from violin parts that we will get familiar is the neck. It is the part of the instrument that carries most of the stress made by the strings. The neck is the long wooden part situated behind the fingerboard and the latter is glued to it. Modern violins have more slender and longer neck compared to their baroque ancesters.

Fingerboard

Underneath the strings you will find some smooth black surface, it is the fingerboard glued to the neck of violin. You may often notice some black residue on the fingers of violinists. You should know that it is the black polish rubbing off from the fingerboard. Eventually, if it starts to happen, then the violin is near to refinishing.

Body

In acoustic instruments the sound is amplified by a violin part called body. Generally it is made of various types of wood. Many violins are made with two-piece backs that are joined together with a seam down. Whereas violins having one-piece back are more preferred as, they have increased resonance.

Sound post

Under the bridge of the instrument you can see the round sound post that runs from the front-piece to the back-piece inside the violin. It plays a crucial role in the sound produced by the instrument. It also supports the violin structure from the pressure coming from the tension of the strings.

F holes

When the string reverberates inside the violin, the sound waves come out from the body through F holes. Beginners can direct them towards the audience to reach their best music in this way. This step will allow the audience to catch the best possible sounds. However, there is no need to worry for good sounds if you play an electric violin or you are playing with a pick-up.

Bridge

In various angles of curvature you can find the bridge of the violin. Due to the small angles you can more easily play double or triple stops (It means playing two or three strings meanwhile). Nevertheless, you can hit the right notes easily thanks to curved bridges without scraping across a wrong string.

Classical violinists prefer violin with more curved bridges. However, fiddle and country players give the priority to the flatter bridges. To space the strings out evenly enable ridges that are a part of the bridge. E-strings with good quality usually have a small plastic tube wrapped around the string. This is located over the bridge and don’t allow the thin E-string to cut into the wood.

Check Out Our Best Violin Bridges Reviews

Fine Tuners

You can find the fine tuners either on the four strings or on the E-string. It is recommended for beginners to start with violins having four fine tuners, as in this case the possibility of breaking a string while tuning is less likely. Fine tuners play a role of a screw that presses down the lever and then tightens the string. Reaching to the end of the screw, a fine tuner should be unscrewed entirely. After that the peg should be tightened before you will use a fine tuner.

Tailpiece/Endpin

At the bottom of the violin the strings are attached to the tailpiece by the endpin or end button. The latter is a small button on the violin that rubs against the players’ neck.  It is the closest part of the violin to the chin of the player.

Chin rest

Another additional invention regarding violins is the chin rest. It supports the player while playing the instrument. This is one of the most important violin parts, since it helps the violinist to hold the violin and accordingly it enables the player to move his/her left hand freely up and down the fingerboard.

Parts of the bow

Hair

The part that touches the string while playing is called hair. Generally it is made out of either a horse hair or some synthetic material. It is important to ensure that the strands are well-rosined to make sound. In case the bow of the violin is not well-rosined, then you will face such kind of errors like slipping on the string, producing softer whisper-like sounds and so on.

Frog

The violin part where all mechanics of the bow meet is called a frog. It is the part of the bow that the player holds.

Screw

The hair is tightened and loosened thanks to the screw which is situated on the end of the frog. When the screw is completely unscrewed on the end of the frog, then the frog comes off the bow, although it is totally easy to reattach. It happens as the screw which is tightened stretches the hair of the bow close to its end and hence increases the tension of the hairs.

Stick

Another part of the bow is the stick. Generally the main stick is made of wood, and sometimes with a metal core. It is eye-catching that the stick should be bendy and supple to be able to support the loosening and tightening process of the bow hair.

The beginners should know that a good bow should be light and it must have a balance point. The latter is the place where you can balance the bow on one finger around a quarter up the bow from the frog. This balance point plays a significant role as it enables the player to perform advanced technical movements like spiccato. It is the movement when the bow bounces off the string between each note.

Pad

When holding the bow, the player gets assistance by the pad.

To sum up, we should state that before making up your mind to play this or that instrument you should find enough efforts and desire within you to learn every detail concerning you beloved instrument. It is a shame for any musician to be unfamiliar with the instrument they play. Thus, all beginners had better learn these parts one by one and never feel the shame of not recognizing any one of the violin parts.

The post Violin Parts – A Guide for the Beginner Violin Player appeared first on Violinio.