Haiden has been watching four of his cousins play string instruments since he was an infant. He’s attended countless recitals to see two of them playing violin. Another cousin plays his cello for us every Christmas Eve, and we get to hear my nephew play his viola whenever he has a new piece he wants to share.
So it was no surprise when Haiden started staying he wanted his own violin a year ago. He was nine at the time, and he’s had a great track record of wanting to try…everything.
Haiden had already been taking piano lessons, and we’re well aware that any musical instrument is an investment of both time and money. So my husband and I decided to let the idea marinate for a little bit instead of jumping into the idea full steam ahead.
Haiden’s desire to play hasn’t faded, so it became time to figure out what to do when your kid wants to play the violin.
How to Help Kids Start Playing the Violin
I’m a fairly musical person and I was raised in a family where everyone was encouraged to play an instrument. Playing French horn all the way through my college years did more for me than I realized at the time, and I think every child should have the opportunity to experience the magic of making music.
Once we knew Haiden was ready to start playing violin, I wanted to make sure he started with a good, positive experience.
How to find a student violin
The first step was figuring out how to even get a violin into Haiden’s hands. I had a feeling that those $45 instruments on Amazon were too good to be true, and an industry expert recently confirmed it, stating that they’re just “violin shaped object.”
Is a Rental the Best Student Violin?
When you start researching the student violins and the best violins for beginners, renting the instrument comes up a lot. I get it. If you’re questioning the level of interest and giving a side-eye to the cost of a new instrument, renting has its appeal.
But renting takes a lot of control out of your hands and replaces that control with a contract. You have little to choice in the condition of the instrument, and the terms of the contract could mean you’re tossing money down the drain instead of putting that money towards a quality instrument.
In short, renting could be a viable option for a student violin, but it’s not without its downsides. Be a smart shopper and make sure you know exactly what you’re signing up for.
Can I get professional help in choosing a student violin?
In short, yes, professional help is available for you. Call up someone local who gives violin lessons to get their advice. If you can’t find someone, call a symphony office or speak to a high school orchestra director.
Even if you can have a real conversation with a professional, Yamaha’s Violin Finder can help you find exactly the right student violin for your child.
The Violin Finder covers everything you need to know when choosing the right student violin:
- Brand
- Sound
- Size
- Craftsmanship
- Comfort
- Responsibility
If that all sounds overwhelming to you, don’t worry! There’s also an easy-to-navigate quiz that will quickly help you identify the violin qualities that are most important to you. Complete the quiz and you’ll receive a suggestion for the student violin that’s right for you.
All in all, I think choosing the right student violin for you child is the first step in a successful music experience. Spending some time on this before figuring out the next steps of your family’s musical journey will start you off on the right foot!
Check out Yamaha’s Violin Finder to see how it can help you find the right student violin!
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