I’m thinking about signing up for violin class. My online girlfriend loves classical music and always wanted to date a musician so, I was thinking of learning the violin before we meet up for the first time in an upcoming international dating social event in a couple of months. I’ve already researched a few good music schools or local instructors who are willing to come over to my place for the lessons but the only problem is, I don’t know squat about buying a violin myself. I could always ask the clerks at the music shop but I’m afraid they might sales-talk to me on getting the expensive but fragile one. I want something I can use and can withstand my noob playing for a few months and not break on me. Nothing grand but nothing too local is what I’m looking for. Musicians out here, please help me out.
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What's a good violin brand?
- Thread starter JimmyBrown
- Start date
Unless you have a previous music background, you probably won't be a good enough violinist in two months to impress her
That said, the violin is fun as fuck to play. Get a rental for now so you don't drop a shit ton of money on an expensive violin then never play it in a month if you hate it. Once you decide you're sticking with it, have your instructor (if you get one) help you pick out a good one
That said, the violin is fun as fuck to play. Get a rental for now so you don't drop a shit ton of money on an expensive violin then never play it in a month if you hate it. Once you decide you're sticking with it, have your instructor (if you get one) help you pick out a good one
I heard Stradivarius violins are pretty good, but they're probably a bit out of your budget.
As Arcticblast said, a rental is a good idea just to see if it's something you'd like. If you don't want to take the rental route for whatever reason, Musician's Friend has several violins in the $200 and lower price range, which certainly won't sound great or stay in tune that well, but should be good enough to start out on. I'd only take that route if you're positive you'd stick with it, though.
Also, this point only has a 1 in 10 chance of applying to you, but just to point it out just in case: If you're left-handed, expect to have a slightly harder time learning. There's not nearly as much demand for violins as other instruments like the guitar, so they don't exactly make them such that you can use the bow in your left and finger with your right; the demand just isn't there. It's far from impossible, so if you are left-handed, don't let it discourage you.
As Arcticblast said, a rental is a good idea just to see if it's something you'd like. If you don't want to take the rental route for whatever reason, Musician's Friend has several violins in the $200 and lower price range, which certainly won't sound great or stay in tune that well, but should be good enough to start out on. I'd only take that route if you're positive you'd stick with it, though.
Also, this point only has a 1 in 10 chance of applying to you, but just to point it out just in case: If you're left-handed, expect to have a slightly harder time learning. There's not nearly as much demand for violins as other instruments like the guitar, so they don't exactly make them such that you can use the bow in your left and finger with your right; the demand just isn't there. It's far from impossible, so if you are left-handed, don't let it discourage you.
This is also a good point - the distance between the nut and the bridge on a cello is MUCH longer; this means that the distance between, for example, C# and D on the cello's lowest string is much longer than that of G# and A on the violin's lowest string. ("lowest" in this context is going by pitch, not height) This means that there's a larger margin for error on the cello, i.e. you can be just a little bit off of the ideal finger placement on the cello and it will still sound okay, but being off by the same amount on the violin will make it sound like shit.
At the same time, though, cellos are more expensive and harder to transport due to their size, so that should also be taken into account.
of all the classical instruments you decide to pick up to impress a girl in 2 months, you pick the hardest one.
literally get yourself a keyboard and start learning keys. it's relatable to nearly all other instruments in terms of accompaniment and is easy to learn without necessarily needing to learn how to read music. You can get a simple keyboard without spending an arm and a leg and can find simple tutorials everywhere for very common and popular classical pieces that she's sure to muse at.
literally get yourself a keyboard and start learning keys. it's relatable to nearly all other instruments in terms of accompaniment and is easy to learn without necessarily needing to learn how to read music. You can get a simple keyboard without spending an arm and a leg and can find simple tutorials everywhere for very common and popular classical pieces that she's sure to muse at.
It's very difficult to get in tune in violin... unless you are born with some talent.
to start just rent, if you stick with it for more than 6 months then buy a cheap violin that your teacher recommends for you. If you stick with it for a bit longer than think about buying a $1-2000 range violin for practicing and you can borrow or rent better violins before performances. rent progressively more expensive violins for performances if needed, but it won't be for years, but do not buy because professional violin is like 10k minimum and not gonna do anything for you but amplify your mistakes...
cremona is an ok brand for a committed student violinist, save your money
cremona is an ok brand for a committed student violinist, save your money
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Honestly I agree with the other people posting in this thread, Violin is pretty hard to learn. I personally play flute/piano and have been doing so for years and still am nowhere near impressive. The key is to stay motivated and pracitice every day (unlike me).
As to where/what brand you should get, local shops tend to either be crappy or give a really high level of service. It’s a mixed bag, but I’d look at local rental places around you.
As to where/what brand you should get, local shops tend to either be crappy or give a really high level of service. It’s a mixed bag, but I’d look at local rental places around you.
Unfortunately in the case of violins, the higher the price, the higher the quality. I agree with all the other people suggesting rental if you’re just starting out. It’ll be good while you learn the basics and will still let you get used to it and build a good foundation. You don’t need an extremely good instrument when you’re just starting out, especially if it’s more of a hobby than anything else. If you decide to get more serious later on, then you can talk to your instructors and peers for advice on buying a better violin. My violin teacher kept asking me to get a better violin for years, but mine worked great and sounded pretty decent even though it wasn’t a 17k instrument like hers was...