Obtaining A Violin
All beginning students must rent a violin before the first lesson. Under no circumstances should the student buy an instrument before starting lessons. If a violin has already been purchased or gifted, unfortunately, it will unlikely be functional for lessons.
*If you are currently renting a violin from a "music shop", it must be exchanged for a rental from a "violin shop" before initiating lessons- see the "rental info" section below to locate a violin shop near you.
The monthly rental fee will be comparable, and the student must be present to be measured for the accurate-sized instrument.
There are many reasons for the above requirements. In recent years, there has been an increase in scam/fake violins sold over the internet, as well as rented and sold in general music stores. These instruments are called "violin-shaped objects”, or VSOs, and make learning violin virtually impossible due to their limitations and poor construction. All too often, students arrive to their first lesson having already purchased one of these instruments only to discover that it is not functional, and will need to be replaced with a real instrument in order to study violin.
The initial price tag of an instrument like this may seem alluring, but VSOs are a cost liability to their owner. Because of their cheap construction, they are prone to damage. Most violin repair shops will refuse to repair this type of instrument, so the owner is left to buy a new one each time something goes wrong. Another red flag for these purchases is that they are often not returnable because the retailer is unwilling to guarantee the product's quality.
Instead of gifting a violin as a Christmas present, please consider a gift certificate to your local violin shop for rental or purchase.
For more about how to identify a VSO, please read this article: Cheap Violins For Sale Are Not A Good Deal.
Rental Info
Rentals must be from an accredited violin shop, not a general music store (violin shops generally have the name "violin" in their title, as opposed to music stores which often have "music" in the title). Renting is the most economical way to access a quality instrument, which is essential for beginning students. Rental costs average $30 a month and you are renting to own the instrument, accruing credit towards the ultimate purchase of an instrument of your choice. For children, the rental can be exchanged at no extra cost, as the student grows. Children generally change violin sizes about once a year, sometimes faster.
Please read on for how to locate a violin shop near you.
Two local options for South Sound residents are RL Ray Violins or Applebaum Violins.*
*Your child must be present at the time of rental so they can be fitted for the appropriately sized instrument.
Violin Rental Checklist (All Students)
After you have been fitted for a violin, please purchase these supplies from the violin shop:
- Shoulder rest (required)- make sure the employees adjust it to the student's body (please insist on this- tell them your teacher said so :), and try a few different styles before purchasing one.
- Fingerboard tape-ask the shop to apply to the neck of the violin
- Rosin
(All of the above supplies can be viewed here, but it is better to purchase them in person to ensure proper adjustment).