(Scroll to bottom of page for recommended Accessories)
#1: DO NOT BUY AN INSTRUMENT OFF EBAY, CRAIGSLIST OR AMAZON except in very specific situations — ALWAYS ask your teacher first!
#2: DO NOT RENT FROM TED BROWN MUSIC. They rent used, as-is instruments “cheaply” to try to get you to step up to a higher rental rate. These instruments are not set up properly and the rental rate is high for what you get.
I have been a Shar Music customer for over 30 years and always refer students there for instrument outfits, move-up instruments, bows, strings and accessories. I do not receive any kind of commission from Shar for recommending their products; in fact, many items are available to my students at about a 5% discount. [Ask me how to take advantage of this discount.] Shar shipments take about 7 days to arrive from their shop/warehouse in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They provide excellent customer service for trade-ins and trade-ups. Their associates are all string-instrument players and can provide helpful advice if you need it.
Beginners will find month-to-month instrument rentals or purchases at very reasonable rates. Shar carries ready-to-play, good quality student violins and violas from 1/16 size up, as low as $17.99 a month, no minimum rental period. For guidance getting the correct size instrument for your student, click video below (sizing chart at 1:57):
With any musical instrument, you get what you pay for. I encourage families to rent or purchase the very best instrument and bow they can afford. Save money on the case instead! The rule of thumb is that a bow is properly matched to an instrument when it is worth about 1/3 the price of the instrument. In other words, don’t play a $600 violin with a $600 bow OR a $50 bow– look for a $200 bow instead, or else get an $1800 violin.
Here are my recommended violins and bows from Shar at several price points for each level. Viola models are similar. (prices may have changed since this was last updated)
Young Beginners (Level 1-2) in fractional size violins (1/8 – 3/4)
Franz Hoffmann Amadeus (for the youngest beginners)
Franz Hoffmann Prelude – Available as a rental, “Standard Outfit”
Bow: Ask Shar for bow recommendation depending on instrument (no more than $75)
Middle-school Beginners (Level 1-2) in full-size violins, and young intermediate students in fractional move-up violins
Franz Hoffman Concert – Available as a rental, “Premium Outfit”
Franz Hoffmann Koe
Bow: A carbon fiber bow at about $100
High-school and Adult Beginners (Level 1-3) AND advancing younger students ready for a first full-size violin:
Carlo Lamberti Sonata $550 – this is “plenty of violin” for a beginner.
Bow: A carbon fiber bow at about $200
Advancing student (Level 4-6):
Carlo Lamberti Symphony $950
Snow Model SV200 $1020 (approx. w/ teacher discount)
Bow: Presto Ovation Carbon Fiber $285 or pernambuco wood bow priced $300-$500
If the student is ready for a full-size violin and planning to continue playing for the long term, invest in the next level of violin and bow (Upper-Intermediate and beyond).
Upper-Intermediate student (Level 7-9):
Snow Model SV400 $1410 (approx. w/ teacher discount)
Carlo Lamberti Master Series Guarneri $1425 (approx. w/ teacher discount)
Bow: Presto Impulse Carbon Fiber $599 or pernambuco wood bow priced $400-$700
Advanced student (Level 10) or Lifelong Player (Adults Level 5 and up):
Recommended Shar option: John Cheng Limited Series Violin $2400 (approx. w/ teacher discount)
Also visit local shops to try out violins in the $1500-$3000 price range.
Bow: Pernambuco wood bow priced $500-$1000
Accessories:
I’ve included links for purchasing on Amazon, but these items are also available from online string-instrument retailers.
Basic Shoulder Rest by Everest, size to match violin. Most adjust to at least two sizes.
Tall Music Stand: Students need to practice standing up, with the music at eye level. The taller the student, the taller the stand. The more advanced the student, the more sturdy the stand must be to hold heavier music books.
- Basic folding stand with carrying case.
- Pro-grade metal stand by Manhasset, the standard for professional and school orchestra/band music stands.
- Sturdy folding portable stand with solid desk by Peak.
Light Amber Rosin, student grade by D’Addario
Pro-Grade Rosin by Bernardel
Music Stand Light by Mighty Bright, for practicing or performing in low-light environments.
Violin Holder by String Swing for sturdy music stands and microphone stands.
Violin Wall-Mounted Holder by String Swing to keep your violin accessible for practice.