11 Tips For Buying A Violin | Upgrading Your Violin
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- čas přidán 13. 07. 2024
- 11 tips and guides to look for when upgrading or buying a violin.
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This list is by no mean exhaustive, but it based on my personal experience as a professional musician and teacher.
This guide mainly applies for those with some experience who want to upgrade, rather than for the beginner as you wont have learnt enough about the instrument for these tips to apply.
1. (1:09) Take your current violin with you.
2. (1:51) Take music you can comfortably play.
3. (2:39) Take another violin player with you if possible.
4. (3:19) Bear in the mind the new violin will need to 'warm up'.
5. (4:35) ALWAYS ALWAYS A.L.W.A.Y.S. TRY BEFORE YOU BUY
6. (5:53) Don't be swayed by the look of the violin.
7. (7:04) Play as many different violins as you can.
8. (7:53) Don't ask where or who made it - you want to remain unbiased and totally subjective.
9. (8:48) Try to go somewhere where they can alter/fix the violin right there and then on the premises - if possible.
10. (10:03) Worry about a bow another day...
11. (11:55) Only YOU will know what you want or don't want so make up your own mind as its going to be YOU who has to play this violin!!!
You may disagree with some of my points, but as I said - they are based on my years of experience and hopefully you will find or all useful.
Here are the string videos:
1. • Violin Strings Review ...
2. • D'Addario Strings Revi...
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BELOW are violins on Amazon.com I recommend.
Mendini MV Range - Really good cheap starter violins:-
Mendini MV 200: goo.gl/Uk08SA
Mendini MV 300: goo.gl/ERfYhF
Mendini MV 400: goo.gl/UhSn7f
Mendini MV 500: goo.gl/q6ZE3N
Cecilio CVN range - for beginners:-
Cecilio CVN 100: goo.gl/ZfH0Xv
Cecilio CVN 200: goo.gl/uDc4ZX
Cecilio CVN 300: goo.gl/viikfN
For the Intermediate player:-
Cecilio CVN 400: goo.gl/MzM7Kh
Cecilio CVN 500: goo.gl/K0f2tx
For the advanced player:-
Cecilio CVN 600: goo.gl/gpt71v
Cecilio CVN 700: goo.gl/c9OXpU
Cecilio CVN 800 - This one is excellent top of the line, but i cant find a link.
Stentor Violin:
Stentor II (1500): goo.gl/FCa2b
MY VIOLIN REVIEWs are all here:
goo.gl/EOqHyN
Amazon.co.uk Links to violins:
Stentor II: goo.gl/U4LCc
BLOG SITE: goo.gl/B9MU8
TWITTER: #!/AlisonViolinist
FACEBOOK: goo.gl/34MTS
TEACHING WEBSITE: www.amsmusictuition.co.uk/index - Hudba
It has been 3 years and still I consider you my FIRST violin teacher 😊 Thank you and wish you all the success!
Your right varnish or looks don’t matter. The sound only matters.
Coolness fail.
Well, not to everybody. Some people might decide due to looks when they like the sound of two similar violins. Also, some people might actually dislike certain colors. If you have a yellowish violin and you find it ugly, it probably won't be as much fun to play (for hobby players).
Hey Allison.. Remember me??? I'm the Egyptian guy who asked your advice about my violin and with this video you helped me in fixing that problem(which was that the bridge was too flat) cheers!
A very timely video for me, I'm in the market for a new violin, thanks again!!
What a superb video! Alison, you are a wealth of information about buying the first violin. I appreciate your honesty with recommendations. I am learning so much from you! Thank you kindly!
I haven't noticed the difference between violins and bows until I forgot to bring mine to school one day. I was pretty worried my teacher was going to scold me about it so I secretly borrowed someone else's violin and bow that were in the lockers. The bow wouldn't play without rosin so I could only assume no one owned it. So as I rosined and began to play, the sound was richer, there weren't any squeaks, and I had total control of the bow! The next day I confessed to my teacher about it and we went through bows after bows with nothing working, however I never really considered it may have been the violin as well. After watching this video, I can safely say that I'll check in with him and see if anyone owns it. Thank you for your advice!
Absolutely! I am not even a classically trained violinist, and I can tell you that the wood of the violin does warm up, especially when you are placing the wood right against your body. The heat from your body, especially when you are at a performance, and your body heats up (either from the stage lights or your own body chemistry from the adrenaline pumping), that heat will transfer into the wood of the violin. Even in addition to the friction of drawing the bow across the strings will heat that wood right up!!!
And is it bad for the wood ?
I think that's not really what she meant. "Warming up" is more a metaphor to describe the violin getting a warmer, fuller sound.
"And Bob's your uncle." I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
Good video. A friend and I were at a good shop in the Boston area, W were given full access to violins in the &800 to %3500 range (about 20 years ago) We both played lots of them and in the end preferred the cheapest one there. We asked the shop owner why it was priced where it was. Turns out it was Czech made. (1900 or so) He agreed it was a quality piece but snob appeal was geared to German, French and Italian instruments, So I agree totally where it was made is not so important. I bought it and my son has been playing it ever since. Nice tone, bright and really balanced over the strings.
I just subscribed. I've watched a few of your videos and I feel they've all taught me something valuable. I'm brand new with the violin. I rented for a couple of months to make sure it was something I really wanted to get into and I fell in love (or addiction lol) so I decided I wanted to purchase one. I was actually going to go ahead and get one online but so many teachers and seasoned players were speaking against that so I found a local luthiers shop that had many rave reviews and visited them. Long story short, I was biting my nails a bit about what instrument I was going to spend pretty much the price you quoted on, and I watched this video. I went back to the shop to hear the violin I was leaning toward getting (not only did it sound dark and lovely but the look of it was as well--dark, beautiful varnish). I asked them if they had shown me everything in my range and the woman there that day found one I had not seen and played it. Wow. It was warm, mellow, open and sounded just heavenly to me. With your words in mind, I turned my back and asked her to play both of them and Ended up choosing the new discovery. When I played it myself, it even felt more natural and easy for me to hold so I got it and I'm just in love with it. I actually almost feel guilty playing it and am motivated to get better so that i can do justice to the sound that comes from it 😊
Thank you again for sharing your wisdom and knowledge and giving great advice.
I'm going out to look for a violin today and this was super helpful. Ty!
One of the most helpful videos ever! Thank you!
This content is genuinely perfection.
Thankful to get your professional opinion about a more studied approach to getting a better violin following a player's initial entry into going to the next level. I'm certain that my student choice is just a hair beneath your Mendini suggestion from an earlier video selection. The one I'm restoring for my next tier of use is hardly going to win a beauty contest, and has a worn finish, but the tone wood, back, and face are very nicely figured and sharply defined. The neck, fret board, and scroll are straight and undamaged, though the peg holes will require reamed before pegs are installed. I believe once the remaining issues are repaired, and the varnish applied, it will suffice for a while. The woods are nearly 100 years old, and that alone should make the tone more full. I'm excited to hear it following its long slumber in silence.
Yes, it doesn’t matter where it’s made, when it’s made or what colour it is. The most important thing is that you like the sound of it. Get the staff to select the ones within your budget range and from there cover up the price and just try them out so you won’t be affected by the price on what you are hearing. Go to different shops or arrange an appointment to go to private makers if you know of any, once I even got to take two home from the maker for a day or two to hear them out properly, so see what they can do for you. Once you get the violin repeat the same thing for the bow, they don’t have to be from the same shop obviously. People generally like light bows but a heavier one will give you a bit more control, but obviously not too heavy either. Again as long as you are happy about the way it feels and sounds in your playing, that’s the one for you.
Great as usual 💕🎻🎻
Good video. I'm going to make a little luthier trip later this week :)
Very helpful! Thank you! =)
Very informative video. As a trombone player, many of these guidelines can be applied to purchasing brass instruments as well.
Very helpful!
Thank you for this good video
What I did is I went to a local store and tried out the violins THEN I ordered it....really helped!
You are a great teacher, I like your violin it is really nice.
Alison, I am 70 years old and want to learn to play the violin. I got on line and viewed you violin lessons for beginners and then watched your recommendation for purchasing a violin. You recommended the Stentor 2 as a decent violin for a beginner. Is this still your recommendation?
This was very helpful being that I am still using the same violin from 5th grade, that my Mom and Dad bought for $200.
thanks for the info Alison, its greatly appreciated :) and yes Bob is my Uncle lol true story!! Cheers :)
Excellent !
Thanks for sharing this information The Hernandez Family Colorado ❤🎉.
I have about 5 of them now. Expensive to cheap. Nearly deaf. I feel the vibration more than hear the sound. My go to is my first. It was cheap, I'm just as happy with my couple hundred dollar violin as a several thousand violin. I'm happy that I can play..
Very tough exam, when I tested Anna Maria my new OPERA 3/4 in October: Anna, my first 3/4 violin and 79€ STAGG-well practiced for half a year-with Dominant synthetic strings beat all the violins. The luthier constantly begged me to be fair. Finally Anna Maria OPERA won with her character sound and full, deep G-string (very important to me). I was able to trust and imagine, that she would grow and improve, but I couldn't trust all the other violins. Maybe I'm too critical, but after all I got Anna Maria, I can trust. Last week I took out Anna STAGG and couldn't stand her sound, so everything hunky-dory. I think Anna Maria OPERA is the violin of my life.
nice setup! Oliv g, obligato A and D with a gold label E. Nicee
I am getting a violin tomorrow. These are very good tips.
Thank you
Hey allison,
A few months ago i decided to start to play the violin.
I did a kind of stupid purchase and bought the:Fazley VI-900 4/4 (a 60pound violin, didnt really do any research.)
After a while i started regretting this purchase, looking at reviews it seems for the same price i could of bought a better one.
Now my question is i was thinking to buy a more advanced violin instead of one in the same price range. ( really liking the Stentor Conservatoire after your review)
I'm just really paranoid the violin i own atm is holding back my progress (i did already upgrade the strings and bow).
What is your opinion on this? you think its worth buying another student type violin or the Stentor Conservatoire.
Thanks for reading
I haveca so called student model and it sound and plays beautifully. Years ago I had an intermediate violin flamed wood etc…. every violin teacher i came across offered me $$$ for it on the spot and unfortunately I did sell it….Now nothing sounds the same but my current one is nice too
With never having played a violin before i ended up getting the gliga 1 because it looked nice in store and somehow it turned out good lol
I have a question about new vs. antique(ish) violins. I am new to the violin and am preparing to buy my first violin. I've been seriously considering the Cecilio cvn600, based in large part off the reviews done by you and Fiddlerman. My parents recommended that I buy an older (turn of the century) used violin and I have some concerns about it (I should also point out that neither of them are knowledgeable about violins themselves). It seems to me that while older violins may be more broken in and such, their also much more variable in terms of quality and condition (how am I to know how well it was kept or in what environment. A lot of them I've seen look like they've been through a lot of abuse and ill handling). Since I'm in no position to actually sit down and try them out, I think the best thing would be to buy a violin which has been reviewed and I know what they sound like, as well as coming with all the necessary bits of extra stuff (bows, cases, etc.). Many of the older used violins I've seen have either no case or bow, or at least damaged and poor conditioned ones.
Since I'm not buying an overly expensive violin and am just a beginner, I think having a decent violin of which I know the history of and sound, playing quality, etc. is better than buying a nondescript old violin. Undoubtedly in several years when I'm actually a quality player, I would go and buy a more antique and well-found violin, but as a new entrant into violins, I am reticent to spend my money on a violin I know nothing about.
Do you have any recommendations? Am I thinking about this wrong?
Hi. Yes, your right about blind purchasing, but there is a difference in sound depending on wood. When a seller list the details such as Ebony fingerboard, solid spruce and maple ect... its displaying the quality of the violin. Better wood means better sound quality (normally). Personally, i would suggest if you buy an old violin, research about the region its from, and who made it. New violin, thats a bit difficult. No violin is the same as the next one, as you said its depending on the player.
I use dominants, but I am thinking about trying an Evah Pirazzi e string
Can you show how to play" Come on Eileen" on violin? thanks.
I love your videos
very good video
What cap would you recommend setting for a violin outfit purchased online? I found a reputable-looking shop online that has a variety of violin outfits for an intermediate student. Two of them caught my eye, and they were $330 and $440 each. The store is fiddlershop.com and the owner appears to be the CZcamsr called Fiddlerman (if he's not it's owner, then at least the public face of it).
One problem:
My family is kinda trifty so they always ask them to look for the cheapest of the cheapest one. So the store in our place only had that one violin. (except the other 3 which was too expensive) so yeah. I had no choice, but it plays kind of well i guess.
About the peg, one recital my peg suddenly clicked and it got out of tune and the parents and other performers were laughing at me. I got really embarrased and they call me the player who always fail.
KeShi_Online thats really mean of them! Dont get discouraged. You are better than them :) Prove them wrong!
I support you 100% continue what you love and give zero flips about what other people say
That's just horrible of people who are supposed to be "adults." Do what you love, be who you are. Trust me when you are my age you will look back on this and think how childish that is.
Dude, do reverse psychology on them when picking the violin next time🥴BTW I feel BAD like bad BAD
Hi
Thank you for your informative video but how can one tries the violin if he or she is not living in a country where the only may be possible way to get a good violin is via online from an overseas countries!?!
Cheers🌹
Your look exactly,,first is good sound,,looking good and no cracks
Thanks for your awesome videos and tips but I have another question,, many people prefer handmade violin over factory made violin my question is you can find cheap handmade violins but with low quality stuffs like rosin, bow... ETC my question is can you remove the strings, rosin, bow... Etc to upgrade it? For example from a local strings to pirastro strings? From a low quality bow to good quality bow?
+Mohammed Nasser yes of course you can! I have a video about this that I did a few years ago.
hi, I've just bought my second violin.. it's a mid-pro level. (it's rubbish to tell the price because I'm living in the philippines. e.g. A $500 intermediate violin bought from US or UK might cost less when you buy it here, without sacrificing the quality). and yes, the store owner helped me, he asked me what I like in a violin, then I couldn't give him a straight answer, so he handed me the violins one by one until I've chosen one.
regarding the strings, have you tried Pirastro Tonica?
Yes, I always recommend them for student violins as they are smooth and bright without being over the top or 'shouty'.
Just curious....how many violins do you have, both electric and acoustic?
I was going to upgrade both the violin and the bow at the same time until I see your advice to not. Thanks heaps!
No, as you cant properly focus or assess.
I've been playing the violin for 7 years now, and I have a terrible violin, it's only worth like $200. Literally my harmonics don't line up next to each other. The E harmonic is a half step lower on the finger board than the rest of them. Also my strings are awkwardly spaced apart, they're farther apart than on most violins. I feel like it's time to up grade because I think I'm a decent player, I'm 5th chair in my high school orchestra, but I'm kind of afraid to. I don't know any well experienced violinists to bring with me, and I'm also worried that I'll show up to the store to buy a violin and I'll look stupid, and like I have no idea what's going on. Also I'm worried if I'm good enough to upgrade. Idk
No one gonna think you're stupid, especially you are about to buy their violin. Any chance u can ask one of the violin player at your orchestra to go with ? Your teacher ? Or even your parents are ok I reckon
Tip 7 is the one I have to keep mind.
What's better? A warmer sounding violin or brighter? I can also adjust my violin to sound classical with a deep warm sound. My violin in particular has a small bass bar so the tone on the G and D strings is super rich and warm.
When I crafted the bass bar, I accidentally made it too short but that's not a problem since the top did not crack due to string pressure and now I have a very rich warm sounding violin! 😊
No sound is better or worse than the other. Its 100% YOUR opinion on the violin, not anyone else's. What I like, you will probably hate and vice versa, but Im the one playing mine and you, yours.
Very helpful video!
I am finally upgrading my violin after 15 years of playing with my chinese little friend.
I will be visiting some luthiers in my city. Do you advise me to tell them my price range right of the bat, or just test everything and then figure out if i can afford it or not?
+Bruno Camargo Yes - of course, tell them budget then go from there. Personally i dont like to know jack about them (apart from that they are in and around my budget) They will always push a little above your budget as paces always do with whatever they are selling, but thats not a bad thing - unless of course you end up liking it and buying the bloody thing LOL.
Other than that I dont care what else it is or got etc etc - only about the sound/tone etc.
hey, thanks for the video. Do you think you can do a quick video on putting on fine tuners? or would it be better to bring the violin to the shop.
+Tokoru Hiroto I could, but honestly, if you search this on CZcams, i wouldnt be surprised to see a million videos pop up telling you how to do this already. There is no point me adding to this if its already done.
+The Online Piano and Violin Tutor okay thanks
About buying the bow and strings separate; the nearest luthier where I live is at least a two hour drive away, if I make two trips would you recommend getting the bow or violin first? Or is it possible to purchase both at the same time?
Violin first. If you buy a bow first, what will you test it on? You would be buying a bow based on hour current violin, then when you purchased a violin, that bow would most likely be sub-par.
You can buy both, but if you are investing, whats a 2hr drive? When you dont know the violin, it makes choosing a bow harder as you will be trying to listen to the new sounds of the violin rather than concentrating on what you want to bow to do.
have you tried the master ? iv been given a chance to buy a stentor master , there arent any reviews
can you make a video about bad violins ,and good ones ?
I would need violins for that, which i dont have but it was a good idea though.
Thank you AllisonIt's so tough for me to choose which violin I should buy. I borrowed one and now I'm so addicted to this violin, but I guess others sound much better, cuz mine is not so expensive, but maybe I can keep my violin and just get other strings, do you think this would change sth about the sound of my violin?
+Mel Stirling A little, but the violin is what it is and if you want a better cleaner and clearer tone/sound, you need to replace the whole violin and get one that pleases you.
Okay many thanks, I guess the best is then to follow your advices, go into a violin store and try them all out :)
não sei olho para o violino ou para a beleza dessa mulher
Which kind of violin do you recommend for a total beginner I really want to start playing but I don't know what to start with or to pick the violin ??
Either the Cecilio CVN300 or Stentor II.
So I'm looking to get my first violin. I need to get one under 200$. I saw your Amazon recommendations (no local place to get one so I will resort to Amazon) and I was wondering how much quality difference there was between the celio CVN 300 and 500? I would like to know if you think that the quality difference is worth the cost difference? Thank you so much for all of the helpful videos you post 😊
Cecilio*
Yes. I would say the CVN500 is the best of the lot for the price point. Its better than the lower end ones and means you wont need to upgrade for a fair good while. i would say that you should replace the factory strings with say Dominants and you are good to go.
I considered buying used violin. At least 2 option; Cremona 30 year old Czech no bridge and need strings about 200€ and German Strad copy with new Pirastro Tonica strings 80 year old with repaired crack about 180€. What do you think about these? Thank you for your very helpful videos!
+SKharp Unless I played them personally I have no idea. Sorry
I have to play left-handed, for physical reasons. There is really no way to test out several of them at a store, since they don't carry them. The place I am looking at has a 7 day return policy. Given that I can't try out violins at the shop, would it be ok to buy one off the internet and check it out this way?I currently have a cecilio left-handed one I got from Amazon, so I'm not in any hurry to get a new one.
Well i dont know what the shops policies are in buying then returning and it will take time. This video is for when you are buying a nice reasonable expeisive violn - when you want to upgrade from your first student violin. I guess you just have to do your best.
Alison what is the best 4/4 brand to buy for a beginner ?? Please advice
I think Fiddlerman Violins are an excellent choice for beginners. I have been reviewing them on my channel over the last few weeks if you want to check them out.
Hi Miss Alison. What do you think of a eadstar violin. Would like to hear from you we think you a the greatest teacher ever . Sincerely Anthony CIotti
I have never heard of them - sorry.
This video helped me, but would it be possible if you could make a video on tips on buying an electric violin.
+Edyta Zimny Thats much harder as it depends mainly on budget and the manufacturer. Its like choosing what radio to buy or TV - whereas an acoustic violin has many more little factors.
I will think about it though and see if i can come up with a decent amount of tips.....
Heii :) I'm so sorry for my English, I'm not a native speaker
I was at the music school and learn the violin for 2 1/2 years (and I just claim to be good at that point because I'm practicing almost every day :) ) but well, the music school gave me a beginner violin and I play with it since 2 1/2 years and I don't know, the sound of the beginner violin just started to annoy me within the time. Very soon I'll buy a new violin from someone who builds them completely by his own and luckily he offers student violins too which are not too expensive(maybe around 400 - 1000€). I'd like to ask you if there is a big difference between the sound of a beginner violin and a more expensive violin by someone who builds them himself? I never tried out another violin and can't imagine the sound quality of a good expensive violin compared to my beginner violin.
And by the way, I love your videos! They help me a lot, especially since my teacher is ill very often and I don't have so many lessons because of that :( thank you very much!
There should be, but without playing his violins, I couldnt say. Just because he makes his own violins and charges more, doesnt mean to say they are any good - they may been nasally, clunky, odd, muted etc etc. You have to be an extremely skilled violin maker these days to produce even half decent violins (the ones made by luthiers Im referring too - not factory churned student violins).
I have not played a violin before, it has indeed been an interest of mine for years. When I was originally going to attempt it at self teaching, there was a serious lack of videos on youtube about proper technique and so on. This was in about 2009. You have filled that gap, I watched several of your videos already, and am ready for a second attempt. You do recommend the Stentor II quite a bit, and it is in the budget Iwould spend on a beginner violin. My question is, would you recommend the Stentor II, or the CVN500? I ask because literally the cvn500 outfit is $5.00 more than the Stentor II, it does come with more items than the Stentor, but in regards to the violin itself, which one is better in terms of having little to no scratch, as well as tone? I believe in your cvn500 review you mentioned that this was the beginning of the cvn range to really have it's own tone to it? Both violins are at my budget for this, I'm just curious which one is a better instrument? Thank you in advance!
The SII is nothing like the CVN500 in that its several models below in my opinion. Stentor are good, but a little overpriced and Cecilios are about bang on the money. Go with the 500 if you can replace the strings immediately with Dominants, and you are laughing!
Thank you very much!
Hey can you please make a tutorial for the song "Those were the days" please respond :)
+Abanob Effat Im afraid I cont do personal requests, but if i get more requests for the song, i will.
ok so I want to get a professional violin but is there a point in time where you upgrade? how do I know if im actually "ready" for a professional violin?
if you want one, get one! The time is right when you feel it is!
Hi Alison,
I have a question about bows. My bow, if I look down it, it is very slightly warped...as in the tip is just slightly askew to the right. Now, the bow seems to work fine and I can get a good sound out of it. However, I'm wondering if I could get even better results with a new bow in the $50-$100ish range. Though I'm a Master's student in music composition, violin is not my primary instrument, and I mosty play violin/fiddle for fun. The bow is a wood bow that came with the violin, and I've had it for several years. Is it even worth it to look at bows in that price range? What is the margin of error for warparge of wooden violin bows? Thanks!
+Ryan O'Donnell A good bow in the UK would be considered to start at around £500. In the US probably $500. Anything less than that will be just a bow and the closer to the $500 mark you get, the better it will be for it, but still wont probably be anything other than just a nice bow if that makes sense. $50-100 is very cheap for a bow and you wont get anything that will respond well.
Bows are complicated, but it depends on what you want them for. If you are considering on spending only $50-100, then it begs the question why you want to change the one you have? If you want a better bow from the one i have, I dont see the point spending $50-100 for the same thing unless you spend closer to $500 for a really really good bow?
+The Online Piano and Violin Tutor Well, I don't know that I can justify spending $500 on a bow with the amount and level of my violin playing, as it is not my primary instrument, but, I'm wondering if just a less-warped one would make a difference. $200 would probably be the absolute high end of my budget. I figure between 100-200, I could probably do better than the bow I have, but I don't know for sure.
+Ryan O'Donnell if you cant justify spending that much on a bow, then perhaps you are not technically there yet (I DONT MEANT THAT RUDELY!!!), but hopefully you know what i mean :))
if thats the case, then Im not sure spending even $200 on a bow just to get rid of a slight curve will even make a difference to you technique. I bet its only a little warped, but until you get to the point where you can justify $500 on a bow, then THATS the time to change. Im just trying to save you $200 on a bow.
At the moment you are still a beginner-ish, and the bow you have will probably serve you well, but when you get good enough that you feel the bow is holding you back, then you should get a better one at $500+ that will last you for many many years, rather than get one for the interim, that wont necessarily do much.
Its up to you - if you feel you want a new one now, then get one I suppose, but a bow at $200 wont be $200 better than the one you have now, but only a little better....you could wait and put that $200 towards a $500 one.
Ah ok! That's what I wanted to know. I wasn't sure if a slightly askew bow could potentially screw up my bowing technique. Since it wont, I'll just live with it for now. Thank you for your advice!
I’m an adult beginner, price is not a primary consideration. I’m 55 and need a long term hobby. I’m currently taking private violin classes and want to upgrade. Do you have any suggestions in the 5 to 10 K price range?
Wow, you’re a lucky fella Chris. I’ve been playing for 30 to 35 years on a £450 violin - and only now seriously contemplating an investment in a better instrument. I’ll never sell or trade in the one my dad bought for me, but it just feels like it’s time, and I have maybe 2 to £3k that I can release for a while.
Hello. I am recently thinking of self teaching myself at home how to play violin. I have always wanted to play and I think that if I want to learn I should learn now (mid teens) seeing as if I wait till I am older it would be tougher. I watch your videos so I have a bit of knowledge about it. Now I'm looking to buy one that I can learn and practice. I saw your recommendations and am considering the cheap mendini 300 or the Cecilio 300. I would much rather go with the Cecilio for it has way better reviews. I have bought a saxophone from mendini and it fell apart when I opened the case. I have read reviews and they say basically it's a hit and miss. Sometimes it's good sometimes it's not. So I would much prefer Cecilio for quality. I saw a video and you said that just replacing the strings would help as well. So if I get he Cecilio and replace the strings, would it last beginner to my intermediate years? What is your opinion on my choice? Thank you!
+Calli Wallace No, it wouldnt last. The MV (Mendini) range are Cecilios sort of budget range. So you cant compare the numbers. I wolud go with the CVN300 and put Dominant strings on, but its still only a student violin and will most likely not take you to intermediate. You need to be looking at something like the CVN600 for that.
+The Online Piano and Violin Tutor and also what about the Stentor II? Do you think that one would work well and last me? It looks like a very fine violin.
+Calli Wallace The SII and the CVN300 are basically the same violin (they are not, but you know what i mean). Like I said, you need to either spend more money now and not upgrade knowing you have a kick-ass violin, or buy cheaper now and upgrade later, but then have to get rid of the student violin.
Hello - and thank you for so many wonderful (and helpful) videos. I am still a student - I have been playing for about 6 months AND my music teacher believes I have talent. YAY!! However, I can no longer stand the sound of my "student" violin. It sounds "tinny" to me now. Therefore, I am in the market for a more advanced model. However, I have been looking online. I know you advised against online purchases, but there are some fabulous prices on Amazon. (For example a $1200 violin for $500.) Even though it goes against one of your tips - is there anything you can say in the way of offering help with this type of purchase?? I mainly want to make sure I do not wind up with another beginner violin with this awful tone. I have seen the words "intermediate" and "professional" linked with some of the violins. Is this a good thing or just a sales tactic?? THANK YOU so much in advance for your expert advice.
+Adrienne C.B. Dont do it!!!
I tell you what, would you like to buy a violin I have that im selling - it was $350,000 but Im selling it at $200.
See what im getting at here??!!
You MUST MUST MUST play before you buy. Its utter rubbish that a violin was $1,200 and now its less than half price. I can promise you that it will NOT be a $1,200 violin in any way shape or form. My advice, just dont do it. Sorry no exceptions.
Violins do not devalue - well the good ones, not student ones. With all the 'proper' violins i have bought, I have never bought one on sale as they dont exist! I know its hard for you if you are in that situation, but I can offer no advice except try before you buy or you will be disappointed and really, a violin reduced that much (it isnt reduced, they are just telling you it is) probably isnt even worth $500! Again, it just reaffirms that you must try before you buy.
The Online Piano and Violin Tutor thanks for that. I'm looking to upgrade and going into the shops was so discouraging but also my violin that is 10 years old is very frustrating. Those prices on amazon look very tempting but now that I've read this I will make sure I get the violin that will not let me down.
Is there any difference between a 2 piece and one piece back and if so, which is better?
+Jackson Catlett Yes, i guess its more for the resale value etc etc than tone. You will find that older violins are one pieces.
hello there I am a 16 year old who lives in West London and was wanting to know a good place to buy a violin close ish to the professional standard. I have a budget of about £1000-1500 and was needing a shop to purchase one from. I was looking at JP guivers in central London for their violins but was looking for different shops as well. I want a relatively old violin about 1890- downwards. Do you have any reccomendations on shops?
Unfortunately I dont live anywhere near London myself so I have no recommendations.
The Online Piano and Violin Tutor ok thankyou for your help anyway
what is a good budhet violin? I live in Greece and i am confused since i will learn by my self and your videos on violin. PLease help me! Is palantino good. Untill 100 euros MAX.Thank you and keep up the videos they are helpful!!
and i am 14 years old
If you look under the videos, you will see lots of suggestions.
Very helpful Alison, as you know I'm wanting to change mine , this lady I know has a violin but she won't accept any less than 2 grand for it, she says she has all the paper work, will take photos etc, but it's kinda expensive even if it was made by a family of luthiers , she paid 2 grand for it so wants the same back, I just don't want to get something thinking it's really good when it's only worth around £600, or I don't like the tone...
Anyways very helpful vid, I'm a lot better now after under going 2 surgeries in one mth I'm slowly getting back on my feet .....
+yvonne smith Dont buy anything till we talk on sunday !! :)
+The Online Piano and Violin Tutor .....ok will do :)
Guys does stagg violin have a label inside ?
Hey Alison! Im sorry for a bad topic for my question, but im so freaking nevrous about notes, I completly don't know how to figure it out- when i tried to put all notes on sheet, starting on G and ending on E4 (maybe I should point this- I made my own designations to make it easier to remember- so G stads for open G string, and E4 stands for the 4th finger on E string), and I'm totally confused, because I realised that my D4, A, and A4 and E lie on two same strings... Yesterday I was doing your excersises for each of the fingers... I know my method isn't that correct to learn, but I wanna get some basics, so I would like to know from you, how could I recognize which note should I play when it sits on same place on sheet, being preceeded by another note. Hope you will answer! Love you Alison!
+Draperryx You can play either A4 or E0. up to you. Its the same note, but one is an open string and the other is a 4th finger on the string below it. Usually the music will indicate which you should play, but if you have notes either before or after said note that are on say the A string, it would only make sense to me to play the note in question as an A4 NOT open string, as you will be bowing on the A, then bowing on the E, then back to bowing on the A and thats a lot of string crossing and potential hitting of other strings.
Hope that makes sense.
+The Online Piano and Violin Tutor of course it does :) Thank you so much, it helped me to understand much more than I even expected it could!
By the way- also I wanted to thank you not only for that reply below my question, but also for all things you are doing on YT! I wouldn't learn that much thnings about the violin from whole Internet as I have lernt from you, so thank you for every video and keep going, because you're doing amazing! xx
+Draperryx you are welcome and im happy to help! :))
Pls Alison, what's the brand of this your violin? Reply please
Its a German antique violin from around 1850's.
Hello, I'm looking for a violin for intermediate player. I wanna ask is synwin brand good?
Im afraid I have never heard of the Synwin brand. There are literally hundreds of violin brands out there.
The Online Piano and Violin Tutor do you think if I get both two exactly same model and brand violin from different places, will both be the same or one of that will be a lower quality.(prize doesn't matter)
what brand of violin would you recommend?
Cecilio or Stentor are both good.
What is she talking about dominants are used by many professional violin soloists and produce a rich exceptional tone. They are very well worth their price if you cant afford high price strings
what's the name of the violin you are holding. ? i didn't hear the name clearly > Thank You..
My violin? Its an antique violin.
I have a friend who is selling a violin but does not know how to find the brand of it since she bought it awhile ago... Is there any way to find that information out?
Look inside the F hole to see if there is a brand name. If not, then you will have to take it to a professional violin luthier if you really want to know.
is a frdnz hoffman maestro a good
sounding violin?
I have not played one, so i personally dont know.
Not everyone has the luxury of going to shop to try a bunch of different violins, I think its important to remember that. As I'm starting to advance I don't have that luxury simply became of financial reason, however in order to advance at all I need get a new violin so I'm going down different avenues (rent to own) which for me is only avaliable online.
I understand that some periple cannot afford to buy a violin, however the point of this video was to show an ideal scenario you should follow in order to upgrade. Its like moving up the property ladder from a one room bed sit and you are aspiring to buy a country mansion. Thats what im talking about in this video.
Miah Schmahl
I think, you are an idiot for posting what you did
If you have nothing positive to write
Don't!
Fred Pedemonti Your comment doesn’t sound very positive to me.
Alison, if I were to buy a violin in the price range of around $4000-$9000, how much would you recommend spending on a bow for it?
+Ben Sommer hard to say but half ish.
+The Online Piano and Violin Tutor Okay thank you. Would you recommend a pernambuco bow, or a carbon fiber bow?
+Ben Sommer I cant tell you tha as you have to try out a bunch for yourself. Bow are totally (in my opinion) unique to the individual. What i think is aweome, you might think is too heavy, or light etc etc. Its like Goldi Locks and the Three Bears - you musst try yourself until you find one you like. I have a pernambuco and dislike CFs, but that just me - you might totally love them@
hey Alison can you show how to play viva la Vida on the violen
+FrozenHeroXD Im sorry, but its a really old song now and I do tend to do the latest songs trending at the time. If i get more requests though, I will try.
Absolutely brilliant video! I'm borrowing a viola right now, and eventually I'll have to buy my own. In the meantime though, I think this might be a good time to buy a bow. This might be a silly question, do certain bows work better with certain viola's? Like, if I buy a bow now and it plays well with my current viola, will it play well with the viola I eventually end up buying?
Also, I would LOVE if you did a video about how to buy a bow! As well as what brands are good (I've heard of Coda, but that's pretty much it). Thank you so much!
+shaykai I dont play the viola so i really wouldnt like to comment. I also cant do a bow video as they really are unique. What i like, no one else in the world would like and so on. It depends totally on you, your violin, your weight when playing, balance, technique, strings etc etc so it would be impossible to say what to get and what not to get.
I did a video on what to look for in a bow about 3 years ago on my channel......
+The Online Piano and Violin Tutor Thank you for the reply. I'll check out your bow video, it might give me a good place to start.
+SamyaDaleh ah thanks for posting that - i wasnt able to at the time! :))
Let me make the comments 300. I need this tips now, and that are helpful. Deeply appreciated.
I thought by watching this, I will not have to go with someone, but as it is, I have to😁.
warming up is basically getting used to the sound and increased exposure with something will always make you like it more over time, thats science. the most that could change for a violin is the strings could dig into your bridge, and make a more solid tone. but this can be achieved by just cutting very small grooves into the bridge.
also things like "color" and "warmth", they basically mean nothing. every violinist refers to different aspects of a sound. and these words are so general that you cant possible push across any meaning that someone else will understand, especially since everybody just kind of sees their instrument "or really expensive ones" with these positive aspects. give literally any musician a strat and a 1000$ Yamaha violin and blindfold them. see which one they see as superior, because they have... and it turned out bad for the strats!
Can you give me a link to that Strad vs $1000 Yamaha test ? I find it very hard to believe
If I've never played before at all, how do you suggest a comparison to the portion of this video about "Playing as many violins as you can". Considering I can't play any lol.
No, this video does not apply to you. I wold just buy a good quality student violin based on recommendation and reviews.
@@TheOnlineViolinTutor Sounds good to me. Really excited to go shopping this weekend and pick one up and get started on these videos!
Hi ,when trying the new violin in luthier shop or violin shop does the string of the violin is good quality strings or bad quality?
Sorry, I dont understand the question?
The Online Piano and Violin Tutor ohh I meant that when choosing the violin we need to try it out right?the sound produced by violin is depend on the string used (and the quality of violin too)so does the shop use the good quality of string for us to try it out?
You would need to ask the shop - I would have no idea.
The Online Piano and Violin Tutor ok thank you
☺😊
What are good brands to buy from up $1000 I’m in high school right now and want to buy one
Fiddlerman violins are the only violins i currently recommend.
The scroll on your violin doesn't look like it's original to the body itself. Do you know anything about it Alison?
+ekkolocation No its not original. You have a very keen eye! Its a Mittenwald around 1850. It was originally a baroque violin, but like with most baroque violins, they modified them to classical violins and hence ripped out the original necks and replaced them! Thats all we know other than that.....
How do I know when to upgrade to a better violin? My violin makes sounds on the e strings that kind of pierce my ears. It's doesn't sound sweet. Is this because of the violin?
You can upgrade whenever you like but you will know when you want too as you will feel like you are 'better' than the violin if that makes sense?
Certainly not an expert. But I had the same problem. My instructor told me it is because I have too much tension in my bow hand and/or arm. When I relax the muscles in my hand and arm and let the normal weight of the bow (provided it is going straight up and down on the string and not diagonal) it solves the problem. I need to consistently remind myself of this.