Violin Buying Tips

[suhmaamiar]

hello there

i need a little help regarding violins, i am planning
to buy one very soon, but i dont know how to
check the 4/4 or any other size ? and i dont know
what should i look for in it, like any other technical
things regarding the wood, strings, tuneing,bow ect.
so pls guide me if you are a violin player,

thank you

suhmaamiar

[Joey]

does anyone here even play the violin?

[Dom]

I'm a violin player! If you're an absolute beginner, it's probably best to borrow one from somewhere to practice before buying your own. Where do you intend to buy one from?
Most violins will be full-size (4/4) unless they specifically say otherwise. I don't think the type of wood or strings make a tremendous amount of difference - they're pretty much standard.
Ask the person in the shop if you can try some violins out to test the sound quality. Don't settle for a cheap and nasty modern-looking one; generally the older they are, the better.
The bow is quite important, mine cost ?150 and the violin cost ?500. You can mix and match violins and bows.
As for cases and accessories, they don't really matter. However, for some reason, rectangular cases are regarded as more 'professional' than the stereotypical 'gangster-style' violin-shaped cases.

Hope that helps!

[suhmaamiar]

many thanks for your reply

i would like to ask a couple of questions here, hope
you will answer and help me in this regard.

1. the person at music shop showed me a violin
and he said its a 4/4, i simply dont trust him ;D
as nothing was written on it and i have no idea
what is the actual size of 4/4 violin, any help in this
regard ? any way to check it ?

2. the bow is made of some fiber strings, is it fine ?

3. the E, A, D, G tuneing, can i tune it using the electric
guitar tunner ?

4. do i need to buy fine tunners ?

thank you

suhmaamiar

[Dominic]

Hello Suhmaamiar

1. the person at music shop showed me a violin
and he said its a 4/4, i simply dont trust him
as nothing was written on it and i have no idea
what is the actual size of 4/4 violin, any help in this
regard ? any way to check it ?

I think they're about 60cm (nearly 24 inches), but you'll just have to believe the man - I don't think they'd sell you one that was too small on purpose. Just check it against the other violins in the shop.

2. the bow is made of some fiber strings, is it fine ?

Hmm, not sure about that one. Ask the man if they have standard horsehair bows, maybe they're about the same price.

3. the E, A, D, G tuneing, can i tune it using the electric
guitar tunner ?

I doubt it. On guitars, the strings go E, A, D, G (up in fourths), but on violins they are G, D, A, E (up in fifths)

You might want to get a 440Hz tuning fork instead.
You tune the A string to that sound, then use your ear to tune the other strings in relation to that. Ask your violin teacher or the man in the shop to show you.

4. do i need to buy fine tunners ?

I thought most violins already come with fine tuners. For some reason, if you watch an orchestra on television, they only have fine-tuners on the E string. I have no idea why! If possible, buy fine tuners, or get a violin that already includes them.

Glad to be of help.

[jelleghys]

Quote:3. the E, A, D, G tuneing, can i tune it using the electric
guitar tunner ?



I doubt it. On guitars, the strings go E, A, D, G (up in fourths), but on violins they are G, D, A, E (up in fifths)

You might want to get a 440Hz tuning fork instead.
You tune the A string to that sound, then use your ear to tune the other strings in relation to that. Ask your violin teacher or the man in the shop to show you.

You CAN tune a violin with a guitar tuner! I don't know if every guitar tuner will do, but I'm sure (I've done it) some do!


- Jelle