Violin Basics

Accessories for Beginners

In addition to the violin, bow, and case, that typically come with a student violin rental, there are a few things you'll need to get started . . .

Student Sizing

There is no standard system of measurement for student violins. The appropriate size will depend not just on arm length, but also on finger length and thickness, the instrument's setup,...

Buying Your First Violin

Many of the violins sold cheaply online are not playable and are jokingly referred to by professionals as violin-shaped objects or VSOs. The following is a minimum list of required characteristics that any...

Violin Adjustment

When you purchase a new violin, it should come fully setup, professionally adjusted, and ready to play.  It should be inspected for, among other things . . . The height,...

Tips for Improving Tone

Fix the bow on a point approx. half way between the bridge and the end of the fingerboard.  As you bow, keep the hair touching that same point, and don't...

Humidity and Your Violin

A violin is a collection of wooden parts, held together with glue.  In humid conditions, wood absorbs moisture from the surrounding air.  Wood expands as it absorbs moisture.  In dry...