Music is an art for the soul. These days there are many instruments in the market ranging from hundreds of types of guitars, drums, and pianos; however, if there is one instrument we can never have enough of, it is the violin. In the following article, we will talk about the best violins for kids.
The violin’s sound is one of the most soothing to the ears (quite literally) and gets you in a peaceful zone that no other instrument can. So if your child wants to learn to play an instrument, don’t stop them. These are the skills that will help them stand out from the crowd, and research suggests that people learn better at a young age compared to when they are older.
We have compiled a list of the best violins that you could get your children. But before you select a violin, you must know that children have various requirements and degrees of expertise relative to mature players, and their particular situations must be considered.
Before we dive deep into the details, these are the violins we will talk about in our post.
Our list at a Glance
There are several factors to consider before deciding on the violin for your kid. Such as the height, skill, and level of knowledge of your child in performing the instrument. All of these factors play a vital role in figuring out the best violin for your child.
Hopefully, this table would help you to make an educated decision before buying the violin for your kid. We analyzed the expert opinions of professional trainers and examined critical buyer feedback to help determine the most appropriate choices for your child.
What to look for when buying your kid’s first violin?
Before we start with the list, I would like to quickly point out a few things you should be looking out for before purchasing a violin for your child.
- The size of the violin
- The type of violin
We would explain all of these things in detail as we progress with the article.
Quick Cheat Sheet for Kid’s Violin Size
Below I made a table for you to refer to the size of the violin for your kid. Keep this table in mind while checking out violins.
What Type of Violin Should I Get For my Kid: Classical or Electrical?
The answer totally depends on your child!
There is no hard and fast rule for what is the best violin for kids. It all depends on what he or she likes to play. If your kid wants to play and learn an electrical violin, then so be it! If he wants to play the normal or so-called classical stringed violin, then so be it. It totally depends on your child.
A child learns the fastest when he is doing what he loves. However, if your child does not have a specific opinion on this matter, then the classical violin would be the best for him. Unlike the electrical violin, a classical violin has nylon strings instead of steel strings. Nylon strings are easy on the finger, and they are easier to press and play when compared with a steel strings. And if your kid is a beginner learner, then he should spend the maximum amount of time with the violin and practice more and more with it.
However, if you are interested in electric violins, then you can check our article on the best electric violins.
1. Cremona SV-175 – Our Favorite Violin For Kids
This is one of the best violins for kids. Not only for kids or beginners, to be honest, but even professionals can use it.
Although this violin comes in our budget list, they do not compromise on the quality of the instrument
The violin is made up of a hand-carved solid maple and spruce body. While the fingerboard is made up of ebony. This gives great playability and feels when playing the violin.
It is good that it includes commonly formed accessories. That makes playing simpler for the new violin players.
Every violin includes a chin rest, Swiss-shaped pegs, and the CremonaVP-203 Bridge in Kaufman form. The version is also compact, with a not-so-heavy composite tailpiece for greater handling and four fine tuners.
Each violin from Cremona arrives with Prelude strings manufactured in the United States of America. In regards to its excellent sound, the violin showcases a warm brown skin that is sufficiently transparent yet to display the wood grain to offer visual appeal.
To maintain a conventional look. The finish is put in thin coats to ensure the security of the wood, and its neck is greased for improved sound.
Every outfit includes the famous violin case TL-33 with a constructed-in hygrometer and an octagonal Brazilwood string with an ebony frog and unscented horsehair. Most of its characteristics come together to build an inexpensive violin that has characteristics at the professional level.
Some of the biggest benefits of this violin are that it is handmade and that it has a premium development, which leaves you feeling as though you have a remarkable violin.
It’s so compact and easy to carry, which is absolutely essential when you’re a novice, and you’re struggling with posture and carrying the violin because the instrument has a powerful sound, and that’s because of the maple and spruce body. Thanks to the good tuners discovered at the tailpiece, you can modify its tone specifically.
However, it is a good violin because it arrives with a compact octagonal bow, and you’ll note that this violin has a great smooth reaction. For it, you do get a package, and it’s a long-lasting one, but light enough. You will discover, though, that the pegs have a tiny propensity to slip, which occasionally makes the instrument go out of tune.
2. Mendini MV300 Student Violin
The Mendini MV300 is a standard-sized violin of remarkably high-quality construction. This is also one of the best violins for kids.
It might not be as per the professional standards, but it fits as a novice instrument very well. Making it a reasonable option as one of the better violins for beginners.
This violin is also rated highly by several performers and violin teachers as a professional standard for lessons. The instrument is crafted with a sturdy spruce top hand-carved because its back and sides are crafted of hardwood maple.
Maple wood is used to construct the fingerboard, pegs, and chin rest of the violin. This design has a steel tailpiece with four fine tuners.
Even with the provided bow, it is quite easy to create a good sound on the instrument for those just learning it. One of the finest things about this learning violin is that it arrives with a lot of special parts that would usually cost $30 to $40 more.
It arrives with an excessive amount of strings that are helpful for a novice to tune the unit first. An additional bridge that’s helpful for a learner who might mistakenly crack their delicate piece when trying to put it together.
The Mendini MV300 arrives with a lightweight carry case. In terms of extra strings and bridge, featuring braces. That enables it to be carried as a backpack.
The added Brazilwood bow includes authentic unbleached Mongolian horsehair, as well as rosin and flexible shoulders support to make a fantastic kit for learners starting out. The MV300’s most defined attribute is its size. This makes it the perfect violin for the learner player to practice with. The player can give away this model after maintaining this violin during most of the learning period, and spend in a more advanced system as their expertise enhances.
3. ADM Handcrafted Solid Wood Student Violin
ADM’s beginner instruments are intended to offer an outstanding tone, aesthetic look longevity, and usability, within a budget. All together to guarantee that learners make the finest choice possible.
For younger players, even veteran players suggest this design. As it offers the very same primitive operations as a professional would encounter from a more expensive model. As it allows the child to get used to the violin, and get a feel for it.
The prices make it a good alternative for those who are not confident about their fun commitment. If the child no longer wants to play the violin or move to a new instrument.
This violin can be found in black and blue color schemes, but the red-brown finish is extremely popular. Educators and many parents are fascinated by its construction. Children also love its look and performance. They also praise that the violin has an incredible sound.
It is rendered from a solid spruce top hand-carved. With pegs of rosewood, fingerboard, and chin support.
To give the best durability, acoustics, and reaction, it has a hand-carved maple front, back, and sides. It has an aluminum tailpiece and four finely tuned-tuners. The Brazilwood bow is of excellent quality. This is strongly suggested as one which allows better performance for kids who are just starting out with the instrument. Besides its two bridges and additional string package, the version arrives along with a molded foam travel case. Which can be used as a backpack. In order to maintain the violin’s safety, it has a sturdy nylon surface with an upholstered plush interior.
This student violin from ADM is wonderful for those seeking a usable violin while eliminating greater prices.
4. SKY Children’s Violin
This could very well have been one of the most exquisite violins available on the market for kids. Which is recognized for its reasonable price with excellent results. And this is one of the best violins for smaller kids.
It is engineered for new students to undertake their first moves in the music world. The package is a simpler one–the size of 1:16. Which is perfect for kids who want to spend time enhancing their skills with the violin.
The breadth of the 8-inch violins makes it light and simple for anyone with tiny hands to use. The hand-carved instrument appears as good as it looks, rendering it appealing to youngsters, with a blue high gloss finish. The violin is set up by the manufacturer, and after fitting, it can be used instantly.
Rather than fiberglass, particle wood was made use of to allow the best. And the most efficient tone from the body and neck of the violin. Often included on the line are hardwood pegs, fingerboard, and chin rest. This aims at helping children who are having their first classes. In the package, there is a Mongolian horsehair bow and a rain-proofed compact case.
Consumers also noted that it still sounds like a complete violin. Although it is a very fragile and compact instrument, it looks very attractive and sweet. Holding the excitement strong, is a good thing when thinking about kids.
Considering it’s a 1/16 model. It is indeed clear that it is for young children, and when small kids use it. It does a wonderful job since it only is 8 inches. The violin arrives with a lovely horsehair bow. That assists your kid to easily learn the violin and produce its sound with their delicate hands. Since it is likely some kids will manage it heavily, it has a strong and reliable building.
This violin appears to be weak because small in size. However, it is constructed of very powerful components. It has a slender neck and is therefore perfect for those with tiny hands. This instrument will have an emotional bond for most kids with a glossy blue look. It’s not created from fiberglass, but wood for the amazing sound of the violin.
However, it should be noted that it’s not going to come with additional strings or rosin. You will you’re going to have to purchase those separately if your string breaks. Nevertheless, it is still a good option.
5. Cremona SV-500 Student Violin
Here is another violin by Cremona. This guitar is made for the bit experienced, novice players and progressing learners.
The sound quality of this guitar is one of the best. This violin showcases a solid material top with hand-carved ends of the maple, back, neck and scroll. Furthermore, to provide the best experience for the beginner violinist. The finest wood is used to create the guitar. Therefore, neither sound nor playability is compromised.
The violin is composed of an ebony fingerboard and boxwood accessories to ensure reliable and seamless play. It showcases a lightweight building made from solid maple and spruce body, which is hand-carved.
We like everything that tends to come with a great compact complex tailpiece with four smooth fine tuners, and it attributes the proper string height and thickness for precise finger placement and tonal command. Every Cremona SV-500 version arrives with Prelude strings manufactured in the US, which are the students’ favorite strings dependent on teacher approvals. Which helps to produce really good sounds.
It arrives with the 3-star bridge CremonaVP-203 and is accessible with a warm brown finish that enables the natural grain to show across.
It will come with the TL-33 Travelite cover with an incorporated hygrometer for long-lasting and lightweight safety, together with J’s LB-15 Brazilwood Bow LaSalle of unbleached, authentic horsehair.
The Cremona SV-500 violin edition is a perfect sample of a style of quality and efficiency that both outweigh its size, and at its price bracket, this edition is one of the best on the market.
Things You Must Consider Before Buying a Violin For Your Child
The violin’s tone, usability, and artistry are among the majorly significant characteristic for any instrument, but kids have different requirements for their instrument than adults. So to pick the best violin for your kid, you need to know a few things.
Size of the violin
Trying to play on an instrument of the improper size is entirely counterproductive to the enjoyment and willingness of your kid to grow as a performer.
As we talk about a violin for children, the biggest mistake that you can make is giving your child a violin that is too large for them to play.
Before you use the violin for your kid, you should consider their age, height, weight, hand shape, and skill level for a suitable match.
It’s better for newbies to strive for smaller models rather than bigger ones. The simplest method to find the correct size is to position the violin across the scroll on the kid’s shoulder as they put their hand up to play it. The kid must be in a position to do this easily with a curved elbow.
String Types
At all points, there are several varieties of good quality violin strings accessible, and many of them stick out as the most well-known styles. Most modern violins come equipped with steel strings.
The drawback is that these strings can be rough on the delicate fingers of kids. Many companies of excellent non-metal cores strings exist, such as:
- Corelli
- Pirastro
- Thomastik
- D’Addario
- Larsen
What is a Bridge
Bridge positioning, consistency, and form are among the most prominent elements of a well-made violin layout. Children’s violins can need help from an experienced player or a music shop for proper installation. However, it is already positioned if you order it online.
If the bridge is positioned too high, then pressing the strings can be difficult for kids. That can cause hand pains for the child.
It is also important to know that the strings are adequately stretched and well-tuned.
Note about the Chin Rest
If the chin rest is incorrectly formed or placed. Then it renders the child’s grip on the violin uncomfortable or even difficult. Good chin rest would match the child’s chin form easily. Allowing them to keep their heads straight when staring at the fingerboard.
Many chin rests have a strong ridge with regular chin rests, which is a frequent cause of pain and annoyance. Many children’s violins come with a chin rest mounted, but the stock device may need to be replaced. Whereas convenience is the primary concern, it’s a detriment in terms of cost.
Shoulder Rest
Shoulder rest should express a great balance between softness and hardness for a children’s violin. A good shoulder rest helps the kid also to have a good posture. This enables the learner to perform without stress or irritation and enables the clean resonance of the violin. A fresh children’s instrument will surely come with a somewhat configured shoulder rest. But most of them are of bad quality. Like the chin rest, one can substitute the shoulder rest for a better deal.
Age of the violin
This piece of information is for the parents whose child has been playing the violin for some time and the child knows as well what he is getting.
Many parents agree to purchase a newly manufactured violin, but they should know that it’s not important. Owning an older violin offers many perks. And how wonderful this can be for those in the household who have violin performers to transfer their violins to the kids in the family.
Relative to newer models, violins from older labels often have stronger track records in terms of artistry and products, which you can trust for accuracy. A mature violin’s tonal quality is typically more functional since the wood has had time to season and improve the tone. It requires time for a new instrument to “break in” before it creates its true tone, but an older violin will already be of this nature. That is even more valid if it’s been played seriously and maintained in form.
However, this shouldn’t really matter if your child is just getting into the world of violins.
Conclusion
Hopefully, now you are well informed about the important and special elements of buying your kid the right violin. Ideally, the above knowledge has addressed many of your concerns so that you can continue to find the perfect method. To decide how to pinpoint the options for your dream piece, make a list with your most key features.
Kids have different priorities and degrees of ability depending on their involvement, family background, or specific skills, and kids’ violins will vary from simplistic novice models to complex parts.
Now, all that is needed for you is to combine the knowledge you have learned here with your own hands-on assessments for every part of finding a violin for children. So that you are able to provide a good base for the coming years. Hopefully, we were able to inform you of the best violin for your kid.
FAQ
How much does a child’s violin cost?
Beginner violin costs will vary from as little as $50 to as much as $500 for young children. Some instruments in this category will include an arch and a secure carrying case or other accessories for violins
Can a 5 year old learn violin?
Due to the Suzuki method and scaled-down instruments, children as young as three will begin studying with a professional violin teacher. There is more to take into consideration than size and age though. Five and six are the best age for other children. Jan 5, 2014
How long is a 1/4 size violin?
Violins come in eight major sizes. The size fits the length of the violin’s body (not including the neck and scroll). The smallest common size is 1/16 (just 9 inches or 23 cm), and the sizes work up to 1/10, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 7/8 and finally 4/4 or full size (approximately 14 inches or 36 cm)
How much does a violin bow cost?
A bow for a beginner can cost between $50-$ 200, while professional bows will cost thousands of dollars, and even tens of thousands of antique bows. If you’re an accomplished violin student as a possible occupation, don’t hesitate to spend $500-$1200 for the perfect bow anywhere.
Are horses killed for violin bows?
So no horses are killed or harmed to get the violin bows for horse hair. Violin bows are also made of synthetic hair, however the best bows are made of horse hair.
