There are many different sizes of violins and cellos to fit students as they grow. These are described in fractions: 1/32, 1/16, 1/10, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 7/8, and 4/4(full size). Adults, unless they are unusually small, would take a full size. Student instruments are usually sold as outfits, which include a bow and a case. The bows and cases come in the same sizes as the instruments.
Violas are usually described by body length in inches, such as 13", 14", or 16". A 14" viola has the same body length as a full size violin, but a viola body is normally deeper in order to accomodate the resonance of the deep strings. (Very young violists sometimes use small violins strung with viola strings. This does not generally produce a very satisfactory sound because the thick C string on the viola requires a large resonating body.)
Basses typically come in 1/4, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8 and 4/4 size. A 3/4 bass would be a typical size for an adult. 7/8 and 4/4 would be the size for an extra tall adult.
The right size is important
Although a parent will wisely choose clothing in a larger size for a child to "grow into", this is not a good practice in selecting an instrument size. A too-large instrument will contribute to poor technical habits. The Metzler violin shop has a rental program and a generous trade-in policy to lessen the expense of moving through the various sizes. Every member of the Metzler staff plays a bowed string instrument and will be able to determine the proper size instrument for a student.
Commercial student instruments leave the workshop where they were made in an unfinished condition, although they may appear perfectly all right to the untrained eye. At the Metzler Vioin Shop, we put several hours of set-up work into each instrument. Bridges are carved to the proper height and shape for comfort. fingerboards are planed to alleviate buzzing sounds, soundposts are cut to the proper fit, pegs are adjusted to turn correctly, and poor quality strings are replaced with good sounding ones. This work can only be done after years of proper training. At Metzler violins we have a skilled and well trained repair staff to set up every instrument which is sold in the shop.
You cannot choose an instrument by brand name alone. Sound quality varies from instrument to instrument, more than from brand to brand. Two Suzuki violins can look identical, yet sound completely different. A Rumanian cello may cost less than an equally well-made German cello, yet sound better. This is the area in which it is most difficult for a beginning student to make a choice. At Metzler Violins, we will play the instruments for you and show you what to look and listen for.
A general music store or discount catalog may have a particular brand of instrument which is cheaper than the same brand at a first rate violin shop. Most likely the cheaper instrument would be sold right out of the manufacturer's shipping box without any attention paid to setup. If you purchase the cheaper instrument hoping to have the extra set-up work done later at a violin shop, you will proably pay a premium price in labor costs, making that instrument more expensive than if you had purchased it from the violin shop in the first place.
The price of an instrument is not determined by the quality of sound. This is because the assessment of sound quality, like the taste of food, or preferences in color and smell, is entirely personal. Market value is determined by how much it costs to produce an instrument, or--if the instrument is imported--the value of the dollar compared to the currency of the country of origin.
Should you consider a used instrument?
Yes. However, a used instrument will not come with a bargain price unless it has also been abused. It is important to note that--unlike cars--instruments do not drop drastically in price if they are "previously owned". Used cars eventually wear out and die. String instruments can last for centuries. Many people feel they acqure a very desirable sound. Instruments from famous makers will go up in price as their availability diminishes. This is why the purchase of an instrument is also a good investment.
So you are "just a beginner" Why should you get a first rate instrument?
A really cheap instrument is no bargain if it causes a beginning student to quit in frustration. There are instruments on the market that are so poorly made that they are impossible to play, sound bad, and fall apart easily!
Just as you would not to buy a bicycle for a beginner with flat tires and rusty chains and expect that person to learn how to ride a bike, you should not expect a beginner to suffer with an inferior instrument. If you are not familiar with string instruments, you may not know how to choose a good one. At the Metzler Violin Shop we will play the instruments for you, and show you how to choose.
Our rental and trade in policies make it possible for you to have an excellent, affordable instrument .
For violin and viola students, a shoulder rest is useful to help hold the instrument under the chin. Cello students need an endpin stop to keep the instrument from slipping, and to protect the floor from the sharp endpin. A music stand holds the music at the proper eye level, which contributes to a good playing posture. For all music students, a metronome will aid in developing a sense of rhythm. An electronic tuner is a valuable aid in ear training. All of the above accessories come in various qualities and prices.
Strings can be classified by the types of materials from which they are made:
plain gut
Most often used for Baroque and pre-Baroque style music, gut strings are made out of sheep intestines, rather than cat gut as is commonly believed.
gut wound with metal
These were the most popular strings of the previous generation. Developed as an improvement over plain gut, they are louder, less likely to break, and hold their pitch better than plain gut. The metal winding may be of aluminum, chrome, steel, tungsten, or silver.
synthetic core wound with metal
This is currently the most popular type of string. Developed as an improvement over gut wound with metal, they are more powerful and hold the pitch better than gut wound with metal. The metal winding may be of aluminum, chrome, steel or silver. The synthetic core is often of perlon.
steel wound with steel
These are louder, more responsive, and less stretchy than all of the above, but lacking in richness of sound. Used often for small student instruments, unusually dark sounding instruments, or for the distinctive sound of fiddle music. Violin E strings are usually of plain steel, steel wound with aluminum or gold plated.
Most string types are available in three gauges: thick, medium, and thin.
Thick strings are generally louder. Thin strings are more responsive, but softer. Depending on the string company, different terminology may be used to describe string gauges:
thick: stark, orchestra, forte
medium: mittel
thin: weich, dolce
What is the best type of string to use?
The answer to this question is very subjective. It depends on the personal taste of the musician, as well as on the innate qualities of the instrument. Experimentation will determine which is best for you. Some instruments may require a mixture of string types or gauges.
Some of the major string companies are: Pirastro, Thomastic, Jargar, Super sensitive, Prim, D'Addario, and Larsen. Most of these companies make several types of strings. Pirastro and D'Addario companies are particularly active in developing new types of strings.
Send mail to TomMetzler@aol.com with questions or comments
about this web site.
Copyright © 1998 Thomas Metzler.