When you’re a beginner at something, everything looks good enough to buy. You keep scrolling through hundreds of different violins daily, and you can’t seem to decide which is your best pick.
You find a good one, but it costs more than $500. On the other hand, you may find one you like, but it’s too cheap for its own good. What do you do in this case?
Well, luckily for you, we’ll help you find the best beginner violin for adults by reviewing the best options on the market. It’s easy to get confused when you have hundreds of models on the internet staring back at you. However, when you only have three models to choose from, matters become much easier.
Our Recommendation of Best Beginner Violin for Adults
Your first violin is likely the quickest you’ll replace, so durability shouldn’t be a huge concern for you. Instead, you should make sure it’s easy to use and produces accurate sounds. In the end, you’re only using it for the learning phase, so you need it to be a reliable teacher.
With these considerations in mind, we rounded up the best options on the market. Scroll through the reviews and choose your pick.
1. Mendini By Cecilio Violin For Kids & Adults
Pros
- A complete beginner’s kit included
- Four sizes available for different users
- Rich, bright sounds for learning
Cons
- The bows aren’t of the highest quality.
The Cecilio beginner violin offers excellent value for money. When you start using it, you won’t believe it only costs this much because of how good it is. It provides warm tones, and it’s easy enough to use to improve your skills.
Cecilio doesn’t only offer the violin, but it also gives you a complete starter kit. The kit includes a hard case and an extra bridge, along with a chromatic tuner. On top of that, you’ll get two bows. To be fair, they aren’t the best out there, but their quality is enough for a beginner.
The violin weighs around five pounds, which is considered on the heavy side. However, it’s still reasonable enough for anyone to hold it comfortably.
The violin’s sound is rich and bright, and it comes with an instructions book to help you learn the basics on your own.
Moreover, Cecilio’s violin looks too good to pass by. It features a natural varnish color, giving it a vintage vibe. Plus, it’s equipped with maple and spruce, accounting for an elegant overall frame.
There are four sizes available from the violin, so you can find the most suitable one for yourself or for your kid. You may find it a bit expensive for a beginner’s violin, but that’s only because it offers unrivaled quality.
2. Cremona SV-130 Premier Novice Violin Outfit
Pros
- Seven different sizes are available
- All of the components are of high quality
- Prelude strings available for beginners
Cons
- No tuner is included in the kit.
If you want your violin to stand out from the crowd, you may want to opt for the Cremona SV-130. It comes in a sparkling black color that’s not for the faint-hearted! The manufacturers designed it for edgy players who want to make a statement.
Of course, if you don’t like the black color, you can always get the standard brown version with its vintage glory. In addition, the violin is available in seven sizes, ranging from 1/16 to 4/4. This way, you’ll find a size that suits you, regardless of your age.
The Cremona starter kit doesn’t come with many accessories, but it’s enough to get you started. You’ll receive a hard case for traveling and storage, a bow, and a chinrest. Although they’re not a lot, all of the accessories come in high quality. As a result, you can expect the violin and its items to stay with you for a few years without showing signs of wear and tear.
Some users complained that the bow is a bit hard to use for tuning, but you’ll eventually get the hang of it with practice.
Generally, the Cremona violin delivers high quality, which is hard to find among beginners’ products. Unfortunately, that’s why it’s on the expensive side of the market.
3. Paititi 1/2 Size Artist-100 Student Violin Starter Kit
Pros
- Elegant chestnut finish
- Affordable price for users on a tight budget
- An extra set of strings is available with the purchase
Cons
- The case is of low quality.
If you’re on a tight budget, the Paititi violin starter kit for beginners may be your best option. The violin only weighs 3.2 pounds, making it easy to carry and handle. Most beginners have difficulties handling violins at first, but the lightweight of the Paititi will help you overcome that.
The Paititi features an elegant chestnut finish that’ll trick you into thinking it’s a high-end product. Its carrying case is also well-built and sturdy, and its bow is highly durable, so you don’t need to worry about breaking it.
But aside from the design, the Paititi violin offers a balanced, rich sound. As a result, it’s ideal for the learning phase, thanks to its warm tones that resonate at a reasonable level.
You may find the violin hard to tune at first, but most beginners have this complaint, and they get used to it later. Plus, Paititi offers a set of extra strings with the violin, which is nice on their part because beginners usually need extras. Not only that, but you’ll get a tuner as well.
Features to Consider When Buying a Violin for Beginners
Buying a violin for beginners isn’t easy because there are a lot of features to think about. You don’t know which is more important to consider, and you may get lost because of the variety of options on the market.
Here’s a roundup of features you need to consider when buying a violin for your learning phase.
Weight
In the learning phase, you can expect to hold the violin for extended hours. If the violin is too heavy for you, it’ll cause an ache in your arms, shoulder, and neck. On the next day, when it’s time to practice again, you’ll feel the discomfort when you hold the violin again.
That’s why it’s essential to consider the weight and compare it to your own. Violins weighing more than five pounds are considered heavy. If you’re petite, you may want to consider something around three pounds.
Construction
Most beginner violins are made of the same materials, regardless of their price. For example, the manufacturers create the violin’s top out of spruce because it looks good and it provides decent resonation. As for the back and sides, they’re often made from maple, which accounts for warm tones.
If the violin of your choice is made from any other material, you may want to do some research before buying to avoid buying something of subpar quality.
In addition to that, make sure the fingerboard is made from solid wood. Ebony is the best choice, and most beginner violins have ebony fingerboards.
Bow
In most beginner violins, the bow is made from Brazilwood. It’s not a type of wood per se, but the term describes all woods that are imported from the tropical areas of the Latin American country.
Generally, Brazilwood is suitable for beginners because it doesn’t cost much, but its quality is decent. If you want a higher quality, you can opt for Pernambuco wood.
The Final Verdict
The best overall beginner violin for adults on our list is the Mendini By Cecilio. For starters, it has sizes suitable for both kids and adults, so you can find the best size for you. Plus, its quality is better than most beginner violins in the same price range. All in all, it’s quite a decent bargain for the value it provides.
Once you get the dream of your violin, you may want to look for a microphone to record your performance at some point, be sure to check out this related article that we put together a list of microphone that we think they are truly the best for recording your violin!
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FAQs
What type of violin should I buy as a beginner? ›
We recommend a few good quality brands that you can find under the beginner violins range of our store. Our best-selling beginner violins are the Prelude, Arioso and Virtuoso ranges. If you prefer a European-made violin, the Gliga range, handcrafted in Romania, is the most popular.
What size violin for beginner adults? ›Most adults will need a 4/4, aka full-size violin.
Which brand violin is best? ›If you want to go for popular choices, Kadence and Juarez are the ones to go for. These two brands are affordable as well. In case you want the best electric violins, Royal Max is the best option. There are some good picks for those who want to purchase 5-string violins as well.
What size violin is best for adults? ›Adults. All adults use a full size violin, with the exception of very small adults and some teens who are more the size of a child. These players will sometimes play a 3/4, though they will get a better sound from a 7/8 size violin. The advantage to a 7/8 is a big sound with a smaller scale for playability.
How much should I spend on a decent violin? ›How much is a good violin? The price can vary greatly, but a good violin can range from around $500 to thousands of dollars, depending on the level. When first starting out, it makes sense to rent your violin rather than purchase it in some instances.
Is a 3/4 violin OK for adults? ›For smaller adults, aim for 15" to 15.5," which is basically the equivalent to a 3/4 to 7/8 size violin, as you want to play as large an instrument as you can comfortably play, but never one too large as to harm you physically.
Can a 70 year old learn to play the violin? ›Anyone can learn to play the violin, at any age. Mastering a new skill, regardless of what it is, always involves desire, discipline and determination; and learning violin is no different. Your age does have a factor in how quickly you'll be able to adapt to the instrument.
Are cheap violins any good? ›It can easily cost more than value of the instrument itself just to make it playable at all, to say nothing of actually sounding good. In short, while they may be inexpensive, VSOs are ultimately a waste of money.
What is the best violin price for beginners? ›Beginner Violins generally start at a price range of Rs. 3500 and may go upto Rs. 50,000.
How do I pick the right violin? ›- Have a Clear Budget.
- Bring a Good Bow.
- Choose the Right Repertoire.
- Narrow Candidates Down Quickly.
- Take your time on Instruments you Like.
- Bring Another Player Along.
- Make sure the Sound Represents You.
Do violins sound better as they age? ›
Antique violins are well-aged, but seasoning is not the only factor that gives vintage instruments their unique tone quality. Violins sound better and become more responsive the more they are played. Before a violin is even made, aging is already a factor.
How many hours a day should a beginner practice violin? ›1,5 to 2 hours a day
Great to get good progress on your instrument. You can do scales, exercises and etudes and have enough time to work on your repertoire and orchestra scores.
If you arrange your violin practice in smarter ways, a regimen that includes at least 30-60 minutes per day will deliver expressive results.
What is the difference between a cheap and expensive violin? ›They can be made to be playable, but because of the quality of the wood, they will shrink and distort over a short period and be rendered unplayable fairly quickly. —The cheaper ones have wood that is often not dry enough, but the more expensive ones will often have much better wood.
Does hand size matter for violin? ›If your violin is too small, it might be impossible to NOT play over the fingerboard, which means you are going to hit other strings no matter how hard you concentrate. Violins that are too large for a player make the left hand stretch beyond what is comfortable.
Do bigger violins sound better? ›The sound was far better than their previous instruments. The reason was likely twofold: First, bigger violins tend to have better sound because there is more room to resonate. Second, the quality of the instrument was clearly higher.
What is the hardest thing to play on the violin? ›- Sonata No. ...
- Partita in D minor BWV 1004 – J.S. ...
- 'The Last Rose Of Summer' – Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst. ...
- Caprice in D major 'Il labirinto armonico' – Locatelli. ...
- Solo Violin Sonata – Bartók. ...
- Violin Concerto – Ligeti. ...
- 6 Caprices – Sciarrino. ...
- God Save the King – Paganini.
- The Piano. One of the simplest musical instruments that seniors can easily learn is the classical piano. ...
- Harmonica. This is an instrument that is lightweight and can be easily carried anywhere. ...
- Ukulele. ...
- The Guitar. ...
- Tambourine. ...
- Bongos. ...
- The Recorder. ...
- The Flute.
- HARMONICA. One of the easiest instruments you can take up, which is also very popular in a variety of styles, is the harmonica. ...
- GUITAR. ...
- UKULELE. ...
- KEYBOARD. ...
- DRUMS.
Give yourself at least a few months (but ideally a year) to do this. You can move on to more complicated pieces soon after that. Overall, the best way to learn the violin quickly is through private lessons with a qualified instructor.
Should I buy an expensive violin as a beginner? ›
If you are a beginner or an advancing student, there are many benefits to spending a little extra on your next violin: quality, sound, comfort, playability, and more. It is easier to play. Higher-end violins are easier to play.
How can you tell if a violin is good quality? ›Quality fine tuners integrated into tailpiece. Correctly shaped fingerboard, nut and bridge, critical for learning to play in tune. Correctly adjusted sound post to insure easy sound production with light bow pressure. Well balanced bow with real horsehair and Brazilwood or Pernambuco wood.
What is the normal price for a violin? ›Violin's usually cost anywhere from $50 to $500 for a children's violin and $600 to $5,000, or more, for a more advanced instrument. With that said, there are a lot of factors that play a role in how much a violin costs. And, often, you'll be paying for a bow and a protective case, along with the violin.
How long does a beginner violin last? ›Although there really is no set timetable, in general, students are ready for a better violin after three to four years of playing on a beginner violin. However, some students may be ready for an advanced instrument after the first or second year, while it may take others longer.
What size violin should I buy? ›A violin fits if you can reach the notes comfortably with your left hand when holding the violin in the correct playing position. You should also be able to wrap your left hand comfortably around the curve of the scroll with a little bit of bend still left in your arm.
What are the 3 types of violins? ›Semi-Acoustic Violins, Electric Violins, and Silent Violins. I'm grouping the next three types of violins together to show the differences in their composition and when they're used.
Where should a violin be placed in the house? ›Keep your violin stored in a hard case. This is the best way to protect your instrument from damage as it provides a secure place to house your violin. Never store your violin near the fireplace or in cold places. Its organic materials are affected by the surroundings, so keep the atmosphere where it's stored stable.
What is the most beautiful violin? ›The Alard Stradivarius
His instruments are highly regarded and often sell for six figure sums at auction thanks to their unique sound and esteemed history. Created in 1715, in Stradivari's 'golden period' this violin takes its name from French violinist Jean-Delphin Alard, its most famed owner.
A short answer is: yes, of course, you can learn the violin as an adult!
Is 21 too old to learn violin? ›Nothing could be further from the truth. Anyone can learn to play the violin, at any age. Mastering a new skill, regardless of what it is, always involves desire, discipline and determination; and learning violin is no different. Your age does have a factor in how quickly you'll be able to adapt to the instrument.
Is 1st violin better than 2nd violin? ›
It goes something this: the first violins are superior to the second violins. The seating is built on a competitive ranking system, and everyone is placed in order of ability, as the instructor or conductor views it. The best player is in the front, the worst player is in the back.
Do adults use 3/4 violin? ›For smaller adults, aim for 15" to 15.5," which is basically the equivalent to a 3/4 to 7/8 size violin, as you want to play as large an instrument as you can comfortably play, but never one too large as to harm you physically.
How much should I spend on my first violin? ›Price Range and Quality
Ideally, you will want to obtain the best quality violin for the lowest possible price. A quality beginner violin can start at about $600, with intermediate, university-level violins at $1,500, and professional violins at several thousands of dollars.
Anyone who says you can learn the violin in just a few months is lying. You might be able to play a simple tune after a quick crash course with a violin teacher, but it won't be enough to join a jam session, play in an orchestra or even play along with a recording without scratching and squeaking.
Is 50 too old to learn an instrument? ›Older adults still have the ability to learn, so don't feel you need to give up on this. Older adults actually benefit from taking on more hobbies and extracurriculars to keep the brain active and stimulated, so picking up a new instrument is a perfect way to do just that.
How long should violin lessons be? ›While everything an adult beginner needs can be accomplished in a 30 minute lesson, most often adult beginners feel more comfortable with a 45 minute lesson. This gives more time to practice with the teacher, and understand the bigger picture.
Should I learn fiddle or violin? ›As a general rule, a violin is used for classical music and a fiddle is used for folk, country, and bluegrass.