Over the years, you’ve seen your child’s passion for music and curiosity grow. Now you’ve decided to help them unlock their potential and sign them up for music lessons. However, before you start looking for violin lessons for kids, you need to find them a violin that fits them. If you didn’t play the violin growing up, it might come as a surprise to learn that violins come in different sizes. How do you know which one is right for your child? Here are a few answers to the most common questions about finding the right-sized violin.
Do violins actually come in different sizes?
Yes, they do! And when we mean different sizes, we’re still talking about the violin. Sometimes, when hearing about violin sizes, people often think of the viola or cello. Violins come in about eight sizes, ranging from nine inches to 14 inches. Generally, most children aged 12 and up will use a 4/4 sized violin that adults play.
One of the things a violin student must do before starting lessons is to figure out what size is best for them. The size matters so much because the violin has to be held to be played. If a child played an adult-sized violin, the instrument would become too heavy for the child to hold. If a child plays a violin that’s too small for them, then playing will become uncomfortable and can be frustrating while they learn to play or practice.
What’s the correct size for my child?
How will you know if it fits? When you shop for a violin for your child, your child will get to pick up and hold different violins. Your child will know which size is right for them when they can hold a violin comfortably while easily reaching for the notes with their left hand.
The clerk or store owner will often pick a few sizes of violins for your child based on their age. They may use a measuring tape for accuracy in sizing. Typically, you can measure to see the best size by measuring the length between your child’s left wrist and neck. You can do this at home. Have your child stand up straight and hold out their left arm out, palm facing up. Measure from their wrist to the left side of their neck.
What if my child outgrows their violin?
You may be concerned that your child will outgrow their violin, and that’s understandable. If your child is young and still has a lot of growing to do, you may wonder why you should bother buying a violin. In the same circumstance, parents opt to rent violins for their children until they reach their end of a growth spurt or are done growing. If you feel like you need some extra help in figuring out the best size, you can always ask your child’s violin instructor.
What’s the next step?
The violin is a beautiful instrument and takes skill to master. You can encourage your child to enjoy learning to play by giving them the right-sized violin. Now you know what to look for when you go violin shopping. Your next step is to find a violin teacher for kids who is enjoyable to learn from, inspires your child to play, and provides them with encouragement and correction. This is the easiest part! You can search through our list of qualified teachers at Lessons In Your Home. All of our tutors at Lessons In Your Home are thoroughly vetted. They love their jobs as both musicians and teachers and are ready to share their passion with your child. They can either come to your home to teach or can also provide online music lessons. Our virtual music lessons are taught by local music teachers who plan their lessons to suit your child. Contact us today to find an instructor near you who will help your child master their skills.
