choosing a violin
Choose a violin made of flamed or quilted wood for a more polished look and longer-lasting performance. Older stored woods have better tone than ordinary spruce or maple, although the difference is seldom noticeable and will do for most beginners and amateur players. Choose ebony wood for smaller fittings like the chin rests, endpins, and tuning pegs. Choose a violin that is proportionate to your arm length. The length of the neck should be equal to the distance from your neck to the center of your palm. Different manufacturers may have different sizing charts, but generally a 1/8-size violin should suit 16½-inch arm lengths, moving up in two-inch increments. Adult violins are usually full-sized 4/4 models. Choose a violin with easily replaceable parts for children and beginners. This will allow you to gradually upgrade the violin as your child progresses, instead of buying an expensive starter violin that they will later outgrow. Look for those with replaceable bridges and strings.
