Best Violin Bows 2024: A Violin Teacher’s Guide to Choosing the Right Bow

Choosing the right violin bow is just as important, if not more important than the violin itself, especially for beginners. A good violin bow will make it easier for you to play multiple bow strokes, have smoother string changes, and produce a better tone. You might not realize how a cheaper violin bow is holding you back until you try out a better bow.

Picking out a violin is all about sound, but choosing the right violin bow is all about feel and ease of playing. You really can’t tell how a violin bow will play until you hold it, tighten up that hair, and play! Which is why I am only recommending beginner and intermediate violin bows that I have personally played and tested using my own Better Bow Analysis scoring system.

I’m not going to recommend a bow to you that I haven’t personally played!

In this ultimate guide to choosing the right violin bow, I’ll be discussing the following topics. Skip ahead if you like!

My Top 3 Picks

Best Bow for Beginners

Holstein 2-star Sandalwood

  • Easy to control

  • Good tone

Best Bow for Advancing Beginners

Fiddlerman Performance Series Carbon Fiber

  • Richer Tone

  • Advanced bow strokes

Best Bow for Intermediate Players

Holstein 3-star Pernambuco

  • Very responsive

  • More finesse


Keep reading for more detailed reviews of all of these bows!


What is the difference between cheap and expensive violin bows?

As you go up in price, better violin bows will be made of better materials and will have better quality craftsmanship. While qualities vary, better bows will have quicker response as you pull the bow across the string. The weight will often feel more balanced in the hand, as opposed to being tip-heavy.  Better bows will also be much more responsive to your muscle inputs, which means you don’t have to make large muscle inputs to get a response. Kind of like a well-trained horse!

Can beginner violinists play on advanced bows?

When searching for the best violin bows for beginners, you might often see violins and bows divided into categories of beginner, intermediate, and advanced. As you go up in category, you’ll also go up in price!

But can a beginner violinist use an advanced bow?

When it comes to violins, a beginner can play an advanced (more expensive) violin. It will only make your life easier. However, with violin bows, it can go either way. Sometimes the more expensive bow will be harder to control, because it’s more responsive. If your muscles aren’t trained to make those fine adjustments, the violin bow might seem like a sports car with a mind of its own!

But this isn’t always the case. And this is where it comes down to feel. You just have to try out bows to see which ones are best for you. Don’t be afraid of bows that are very responsive. You will never learn those fine motor inputs if your bow is slow and unresponsive.

As I review beginner violin bows and intermediate violin bows, I’ll tell you which ones are good for beginners, and which ones might require a more advanced skill level.

How much should I spend on a violin bow?

Bows range in price from whatever bow-shaped-object you might find on the internet to $700,000 for a Tourté bow, the Stradivarius of bows!

I would avoid buying any bow cheaper than $50. A good beginner violin bow will cost anywhere from $70-$200. An intermediate bow will take you from $200-$500. I would consider $500-$1000 advanced and $1000+ will take you into a very advanced or professional quality violin bow.

Carbon Fiber Vs. Wood

What material is best for a violin bow? Carbon fiber or wood?

Bows are made out of different materials and the two big options are wood or carbon fiber.

Bows have been made out of wood for centuries and there are different hierarchies of wood with pernambuco being the most desirable. Other woods include brazilwood or sandalwood.

Now you might be wondering is carbon fiber better than wood. If you’re looking at bows under a hundred dollars, yes, I generally think carbon fiber is better. As you get into higher price ranges I don’t think you can say one is better than the other. It’s more of a case by case comparison and will vary depending on your needs.

Carbon fiber is more durable but that shouldn’t necessarily play a factor in your decision unless you’re buying for a child who’s going to be using the bow for sword fights at school. When it comes to sword fights, yes carbon fiber will beat out wood every time. So if you want your child to win that sword fight, go for carbon fiber.

Now if you’re not using your bow for sword-fighting then this isn’t a huge factor. The only reason you might want to side with carbon fiber for the durability factor is if you’re playing outside a lot or using it for camping and you want a good, sturdy back up bow.

Very cheap bows will be made of fiberglass and will feel very clunky and have a slow response on the strings. I would avoid fiberglass and instead go for a carbon fiber if you’re looking for a budget-friendly beginner violin bow.

Now that we’ve discussed the basics, let’s talk about the best violin bows for beginners!


Best Beginner Violin Bows

The Fiddlerman Carbon Fiber Bow

This bow comes standard for some of Fiddlershop’s violin outfits and it’s an upgrade option for some of their more budget-friendly violin outfits. I would definitely recommend upgrading to this bow as it is much better than standard violin bows that come with most beginner violin outfits.

This violin bow is great for beginners. It’s stable and will allow you to learn all of the basics well. As you get into the complexities of sustaining weight to produce a good tone, or if you are learning more advanced bow strokes, you may begin to outgrow this bow. While that’s expected for a bow under $100, this bow will still give you ample room to grow as a brand new beginner.

The Fiddlerman Carbon fiber bow also comes in “Noir.” It’s the same bow but with premium black Siberian horse hair for better grip and articulation.

You can also purchase this bow with the frog in snakewood (image below).

Pros

-Great for learning the basics

-Stable

-More responsive than standard beginner violin bows

Cons

-Slightly heavier at the tip

 
 

Holstein 2-Star Sandalwood Violin Bow

This bow is a fantastic beginner or early intermediate violin bow. It has a very balanced feel with a lot of power and control.There’s really no cons to this bow for its price range. It does all of the basic bow strokes and some of the more advanced ones well. It’s stable so it feels easy to control. If I were recommending a bow for someone just starting off, this would be my number one pick. It’s going to help you master all of the basics and allow you to get into intermediate and some advanced concepts without any issues.

Pros

-Best violin bow for brand new beginners

-Good for advanced beginners and early intermediate as well

-Great control and feel

 
 

Best Violin Bows for Intermediate Players

Holstein 1-Star Pernambuco Violin bow

If you want a little bit more finesse, the Holstein Pernambuco 1-star is a great option. This bow is really light, agile, and lively. It definitely has its own personality, making it a lot of fun to play! It can take more weight than the Holstein Sandalwood bow and it’s a little bit cleaner on bow strokes like staccato. When you really start to think about producing a good, solid tone, this bow will help you do it. Because it is so lively and responsive, it could be harder to control if you don’t already have some right hand skills. But it will be great for someone looking to upgrade to get more nuance and finesse.

Pros

-Very Light

-Lively

-Responsive

-Great for advancing beginners or intermediate players

Cons

-Extreme responsiveness might make it harder to control for brand new beginners.

 
 

Fiddlerman Performance Series Carbon Fiber Bow

This bow feels a little bit heavier than the 1 star and because of that it tends to feel more stable. It does beginner and advanced techniques really well and I feel like it keeps good contact with the string. This is a good option if you want a more stable bow as it will help you produce a good, clean, focused tone. If you actually wanted to start off with this bow, you definitely could. It’s beginner-friendly but it also has that intermediate and more advanced capability.

Pros

-Very stable

-Brand new beginner-friendly but also great for advancing players as well

Cons

-Not quite as responsive as the Holstein Pernambuco 1 Star

 
 

Holstein 2-star Pernambuco Violin Bow

This intermediate violin bow is definitely is a step up. It feels like the best of both worlds between the Holstein 1 Star Pernambuco and the Performance Carbon Fiber. It has the stability of the Performance Carbon Fiber even though it’s still light and responsive and has a more clear focused sound. It will take quite a bit of weight as well. It does string crossings a little bit better than the carbon fiber and overall it has more finesse. Out of all the bows I’ve talked about so far, this one did spiccato the best so if you’re getting into more advanced bow strokes this is a good bow for it. This bow would be great for you if you’re getting into more intermediate or advanced techniques or if you’re a beginner who wants to start off with a really good bow, this is a great pick.

Pros

-Combines stability of Performance Carbon Fiber with finesse of Pernambuco 1 star

-Suitable for beginners

-Great violin bow for intermediate or advancing players

-Does advanced bow stokes well

 

Holstein 3-Star Pernambuco Violin Bow

All of these bows were great for their prices but this Holstein 3 Star Pernambuco did outperform all of the other beginner and intermediate violin bows. It was very enjoyable to play and was actually comparable in many ways to my much more expensive German bow. I would be very happy using this bow on a daily basis. It’s actually a little easier to play than all of the other bows and that’s usually what you get when you spend more money. It’s very smooth, responsive, and it has good, crisp articulation when you want it. Any time you need fast bow speed with a rich, full sound, this bow delivers. It gives you good contact with the string and it will also take a lot of weight.

If you want a bow that you’re not going to need to upgrade for a really long time, if ever, this is a great bow. You could definitely play advanced techniques and advanced music with this bow and be very happy.

Pros

-Stable, but agile

-Very responsive but still easy to control

-Produces a wide variety of colors and dynamics very easily

-Creates a beautiful, rich tone

-Makes it easier to do advanced bow strokes

Common Questions About Upgrading Your Violin Bow

Here are some other common questions you might hav when shopping for the right violin bow.

Is a lighter or heavier bow better for violin?

This depends on your preference. A lighter violin bow will usually be very responsive and lively, although it might not produce as full of a tone. Heavier bows might feel more stable and make it easier to produce a full tone, but they may lose some responsiveness.

Regardless of whether a bow is heavy or light, it should feel balanced. Extremely heavy bows might also induce more tension or fatigue when playing for long periods of time.

Is a Round or Octagonal Violin Bow Better?

You may notice that the stick of the bow will sometimes be completely round, and other times it will be octagonally shaped. Which one is better?

You will hear violinists say that a round bow is more responsive. Then you might hear an equally accomplished violinist saying an octagonal bow is more responsive. Which one is it?

Personally, I think the differences you may be feeling between bows will be more of a factor of material and craftsmanship over round or octagonal sticks.

If you could find two bows, one round and one octagonal, made of the exact same material, crafted by the exact same maker, using the exact same bow hair and the same rosin, sure, you might be able to tell some differences between the round stick and the octagonal stick. But when you’re comparing bows across different brands and different materials and different price ranges, don’t get stuck on whether or not the stick is round or octagonal.

Just choose the bow that you like the best!

How many bows should a violinist have? Why do violinists have more than one bow?

Violinists have multiple bows because you always need to have a back up. You will need to get your bow rehaired every year. If you play frequently, you may need to get the bow rehaired two or three times a year. The rehair process might take a couple days or a week depending on your luthier. If you have to ship off your bow to get it rehaired, it could take even longer.

I don’t really want to resort to playing pizzicato for several weeks out of the year, which is why I have multiple bows!

Conclusion

Choosing the best student violin bow, or the best bow for intermediate and advancing players can be challenging. All of these bow options are good choices depending on your skill and preferences.

I hope this helps you make a decision when it comes to upgrading your violin bow!

Happy Practicing!

~Lora

Top 10 Best Apps for Violinists

As a violin teacher, there are several amazing apps for violinists that I always recommend to all of my students. From handy tuner/metronome apps to sheet music catalogues or backing tracks, these apps and websites make it so much easier to learn the violin.

I divide these great apps for the violin into a few different categories. Tuners and metronome apps, sheet music and accompaniment apps, practicing apps, and apps for learning to play violin.

While all of these violin apps are helpful, my personal favorites can be found in Sheet Music and Accompaniment Apps. You’ll find some apps and websites here to take your practicing to a whole new level (and make you have more fun while practicing too!)

Let’s get started with my favorite, must-have apps for violinists!

Tuning and Metronome Apps for Violin

While you definitely may want to purchase a dedicated metronome or tuner, having a tuning or metronome app on your phone is a great idea. There are so many tuning apps these days. Here are my favorites for the violin.

1. insTuner

insTuner has been my go-to tuning app ever since I first got a smart phone. It’s free, doesn’t have annoying ads, and is wonderfully simplistic. Many tuning apps for the violin are distracting with so many bells and whistles. As if tuning weren’t complicated enough!

That’s one reason why I love insTuner. It’s a simple tuner and a tone generator. Nothing fancy. Just what you need and nothing more.

Watch my tutorial on how to tune a violin using the insTuner.

Get insTuner here.

2. Helix Tuner

Here’s another free tuning app for the violin, but Helix Tuner is not your standard tuner, and you probably shouldn’t treat it that way. Helix Tuner displays sounds like a circular oscillograph. The more stable the image, the more in tune you are. When the image rotates clockwise, you are sharp. Counterclockwise equals flat.

Helix Tuner can be wonderfully mesmerizing. I don’t recommend using it all the time, or even as your primary tuner. I recommend Helix Tuner to help students hear sounds as frequencies. As violinists, the more you think of the sounds you are producing as wavelengths or frequencies, the better your sound production will be.

Get Helix Tuner here

3. Tunic Unisono

Like Helix Tuner, Tunic Unisono also produces sounds as images. It’s another fun app for seeing the tones you are producing as frequencies. It’s got a slightly higher price tag than the free Helix Tuner, but it’s definitely worth signing up for the free trial to play around and see if you like it.

Get Tunic Unisono here

I’ll show you how to use Helix Tuner and Tunic Unisono and how to hear sounds as wavelengths here.


4. Smart Metronome &Tuner

Now on to metronome apps for violinists. My favorite is Smart Metronome and Tuner. Again, it’s simple. Not too much on the screen to distract you. I like that it has a digital arm that swings instead of just a flashing light. There’s also a tuner and some other features like a timer and a practice log. I mainly use this app just for the metronome. It clicks and is easy to adjust…that’s all I need!

Get Smart Metronome and Tuner App here

 

5. Soundcorset

For an app that does it all, try Soundcorset. It’s a tuner, metronome, sheet music catalogue, and practice tracker. You can also record yourself through the app which is great for keeping track of your progress and seeing how far you’ve come1

Get Soundcorset here

 

Sheet Music And Accompaniment Apps For Violinists

Next up, my favorite violin apps for sheet music and accompaniment.

6. MuseScore

MuseScore has got to be one of the best repositories for sheet music of all kinds, whether it’s classical, fiddle, modern, or whatever. It’s like Youtube for sheet music because the majority of its catalogue has been uploaded by users. That means some music is hit or miss when it comes to quality, but it’s still a great place to get  sheet music.

There are two sides to MuseScore, one is the music catalogue uploaded by users and the other is the free notation software. I use MuseScore to create all of my sheet music. I also always recommend my students download the MuseScore notation software. If you’re a member of my studio, I upload the MuseScore files in addition to the printable sheet music so that you can download the MuseScore file and use MuseScore to play the tracks or change anything you want, like slurs, notes, key signature, etc.

It’s also worth nothing that you don’t have to pay for MuseScore to download the software or to browse the catalogue. Paying for MuseScore simply allows you to download the MuseScore files from other users or download and print the sheet music (plus other features as well).

The MuseScore notation software is only available for computers (not tablets or phones). The user-uploaded sheet music catalogue is available through the app or on your computer.

Download the MuseScore app from your App Store or visit the music catalogue online here.

Download the MuseScore free notation software here.



7. Strum Machine

If you love fiddling, Strum Machine is a must have app for fiddlers! Strum Machine has backing tracks for a long list of fiddle songs. Plus you can create your own chords if the song isn’t in the Strum Machine catalogue. You can speed up and slow down the accompaniment and adjust the playback and instruments. Best of all, it sounds like real instruments! Not some nasally computerized audio.

I use Strum Machine myself pretty much everyday. If you have to play fiddle by yourself, you want Strum Machine to back you up!

Strum Machine also exists as a website, so you can use the app or your computer.

Normally you can sign up for Strum Machine and get a 14 day free trial, but if you use this link you can get a 30 day free trial courtesy of Strum Machine.

 

8. TomPlay

TomPlay is like Strum Machine, but for classical pieces. There’s a massive collection of piano accompaniment for many of our standard violin pieces (including the Suzuki Books). You can speed up and slow down the play along tracks, loop measures, and choose to include or exclude the solo violin.

TomPlay can be used through the app on your phone or tablet, or on your computer through the website.

Search the App Store for TomPlay or access the website here.

Practicing Apps for Violinists

9. Drone Tone

I always recommend practicing with drones. Playing violin is all about developing your ear and if you’re trying work on intonation using a tuning app with its little flashing green light, you’re headed down the wrong path! Use a drone to help you play in tune. It’s more musically appealing than watching a light on your tuner, and it will help you develop your ear.

For instance, if you’re playing a D scale, have a D drone playing and compare and adjust all of your fingers to the D drone! Many tuners have tone generators, but I love drone generators that produce chords. It’s much more fun and enjoyable to listen to.

Drone Tone exists as an app and also as a website.

Get the Drone Tone App or access it on your computer here.

10. EarMaster

Since violinists don’t have frets, learning to play in tune is all about training your ear to tell your fingers where to go! I’m a big fan of EarMaster and recommend it to all of my studio members. EarMaster is an ear training software with great exercises to help build up your ear training skills. It’s great for beginners or advanced musicians.

EarMaster can be accessed by an app and as a website.

Get EarMaster here.

*Bonus* Best App for Learning to Play the Violin

11. The Meadowlark Violin Online Studio App

If you want to learn to play the violin using an app, I have to recommend….my app! My online studio includes over 800 lessons on how to play the violin (or fiddle) and you can get all that at the tip of your fingers with the app. You’ll also get access to my exclusive community where you can ask me questions anytime. There’s live events, monthly missions to keep you focused, recitals, studio hours, and so much I can’t even name it all.

If you’re interested learn more here!

(And by the way, it’s not just an app. It works great on a computer as well!)

I hope you enjoyed my best apps for violinists. What are your favorite violin apps? Comment and let me know!

The Ultimate Guide to Adult Fiddle and Violin Camps

Attending an adult fiddle camp is one of the best ways to motivate your playing. Adult camps for fiddle or violin usually offer workshops, classes, jam sessions, performances, dances, and ensemble playing over a few days or weekends.

You don’t have to be an expert player to attend these adult camps. Unless otherwise noted, all of these adult music camps are great for people of all ages and skill levels, from beginner to advanced players!

However, while some camps do offer courses for brand new beginners, you probably do want to show up with some basic skills. And by basic skills I mean being able to bow and produce a decent sound and being familiar with left hand notes and basic finger patterns. The more fundamentals you know beforehand, the more you will get out of the camp. But don’t worry, if you’re not ready, I can help!

Whether you love fiddle, Celtic, gypsy jazz, classical, Scandinavian, Cajun, or any other style of playing, there’s a camp for you!

In this directory, you’ll find a list of adult fiddle camps and adult classical violin camps, their locations, the style of playing they focus on, and the general time period in which they occur.

Locations vary wildly, but most adult music camps occur in idyllic locations, like the redwood forests of California, beautiful Nova Scotia, or even fiddling sailing trips around the coast of Scotland.

Start packing your bags, get your violin ready, and enjoy browsing my ultimate guide to adult fiddle and violin camps!

Or skip ahead!

Adult Fiddle and Violin Camps in Canada

Adult Fiddle Camps in the United Kingdom

Adult Fiddle and Violin Camps in Europe

Virtual Adult Fiddle Camps

Adult Fiddle Camps by Famous Fiddlers


Adult Fiddle and Violin Camps By State



Alabama



Alabama Folk School

About: Various workshops and retreats focusing on old-time music and crafts.

Date Range: Varies

Style: Old Time

Location: Nauvoo, Alabama

https://campmcdowell.org/dates-rates



California



California Bluegrass Association Summer Music Camps

About: Jams, classes, concerts, and dances.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Bluegrass

Location: Grass Valley, California

https://californiabluegrass.org/summer_music_camp/smc-home/



Julian Family Fiddle Camp

About: Acoustic music camp for people of all ages and musical abilities. Located at a rural retreat near a historic mining town.

Date Range: May

Style: Appalachian and Bluegrass

Location: Julian, California

https://californiabluegrass.org/cbaevent/julian-family-fiddle-camp/



Lark Camp

About: Learn traditional styles from all over the world.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Traditional

Location: Mendocino Woodlands, California

https://www.larkcamp.org



SoCal Chamber Music Workshops

About: One week workshop for adult amateur chamber musicians. Great for intermediate or advanced players.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Classical chamber music

Location: Claremont, California

https://www.socalchambermusic.com



Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School

About: Alasdair Fraser’s Scottish fiddle camp in the redwood forests of Northern California.

Date Range: August

Style: Scottish fiddling

Location: Boulder Creek, California

http://www.valleyofthemoon.org



Colorado



Colorado Roots Music Camp

About: Multiple camps with small class sizes featuring a wide variety of styles.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Varies but include bluegrass, folk, blues, swing, Irish, and more.

Location: Divide, Colorado

https://www.rmmc.org/roots/



Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp

About: Daily fiddle classes, contra and square dances, jam sessions, concerts, and opportunities to hike and swim.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Varies but includes Old Time fiddle, Cape Breton, Klezmer and many other styles

Location: Golden Bell Camp, Colorado

https://www.rmfiddle.com



Florida



Florida Fiddlers Convention

About: Workshops, jams, concerts, string band contest, and a homemade pie contest!

Date Range: October

Style: Fiddle

Location: Keystone Heights, Florida

https://flafiddlers.wordpress.com



Kansas



Sunflower Ragtime Orchestra

About: Rehearse and perform popular orchestral music of the early 1900s with other adult amateur musicians.

Date Range: Summer (2 Sessions)

Style: Ragtime, Orchestra

Location: Olathe, Kansas

https://www.musicsmiths.net/sro



Medieval Music Sumer Camp

About: Explore the music of the 12th and 13th centuries on period instruments.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Medieval

Location: Metropolitan Conservatory, Overland Park, Kansas

https://www.metropolitanconservatorykc.com/medievalmusiccamp



Heartland Chamber Adult Workshop

About: A four-day workshop where you are coached on chamber music by members of the Kansas City Symphony.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Classical chamber music

Location: Prairie Village, Kansas

https://www.heartlandchambermusic.org/adultworkshop



Kentucky



Cowan Creek Mountain Music Festival

About: Classes, jam sessions, and dancing for adults and kids in the beautiful Appalachian mountains of eastern Kentucky.

Date Range: Last week in June

Style: Kentucky mountain music

Location: Whitesburg, Kentucky

http://cowancreekmusic.org



Louisiana



Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Week

About: Immersive, multi-day lessons, workshops, and dances including instruction on Louisiana music, crafts, and cooking.

Date Range: March

Style: Cajun and Creole

Location: Eunice, Louisiana

https://lafolkroots.org



Maine



Maine Fiddle Camp

About: Workshops, dances, jam sessions for all ages and levels. Several sessions offered.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Traditional

Location: Camp NEOFA, Montville, Maine

https://www.mainefiddlecamp.org



Massachusetts



Country Dance and Song Society

About: Connecting people through the traditions of English Country Dance, contra, and square dance and the music that is an integral part of those traditions.

Date Range: Varies, but mostly Summer

Style: Varies

Location: Virtual and Various Locations in Massachusetts, Maine, and Michigan

https://cdss.org



Minnesota



Bluff Country Gathering

About: Fiddle workshops (and other instruments), concerts, and dances.

Date Range: May

Style: Traditional American Music

Location: Spring Grove, MN

http://www.boveeheil.com/bluff-country-gathering.htm



Adult Chamber Music Retreat

About: A six-day retreat for classical music enthusiasts. For intermediate players or community orchestra members.

Date Range: June

Style: Classical chamber music

Location: Grand Rapids, Minnesota

https://www.thirdcoastchambercollective.com/projects/chamber-camp



Montana



Montana Fiddle Camp

About: Multiple camps on the old-time music tradition in the Little Belt mountains of Montana.

Date Range: May/June

Style: Varies by camp, but includes fiddle and Western swing and more

Location: Monarch, Montana

https://www.montanafiddlecamp.org



New Hampshire



Fiddleheads Jam Camp

About: Jam Camp offers guided jams with focus on jamming essentials and techniques - hearing chords, backup, playing in different styles, soloing and having fun!

Date Range: September

Style: From blues to bluegrass, jigs to jazz, cajun to country and more!

Location: Coontoocook, New Hampshire

https://www.fiddleheadscamp.com



New York



The Ashokan Center Music and Dance Camps

About: Jay Unger and Molly Mason’s famous fiddle camp. Various styles of camps held in the serene setting of the Catskill Mountains.

Date Range: Varies

Style: Camps vary but include such styles as bluegrass, Western Swing, Scottish, and Zydeco just to name a few.

Location:

https://ashokancenter.org/camps/



Catskills Irish Arts Week

About: Classes, workshops, dances, and concerts featuring a variety of Irish instruments.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Irish Fiddling

Location: East Durham, New York

https://www.catskillsirishartsweek.com



Scor! String Experiences for Adults

About: Various camps with a focus on ensemble-playing.

Date Range: Varies

Style: Varies: classical and fiddle.

Location: Canandaigua, New York (Finger Lakes Region), and various other places around the U.S.

https://www.scorstrings.com/pages/in-person-events



North Carolina



Blue Ridge Music Week

About: Daily classes for fiddle (and other old time instruments), jam sessions, and concerts.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Old Time Fiddle

Location: Mars Hill, NC

https://www.brotmw.org



John C. Campbell Folk School

About: Year-round weeklong and weekend classes for adults in craft, art, music, dance, and more. Small-sized campus on a scenic 270-acre campus.

Date Range: Varies

Style: Varies

Location: Brasstown, North Carolina

https://www.folkschool.org



Jink and Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling

About: Multiple sessions on Scottish fiddling in the mountains of North Carolina.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Scottish fiddling

Location: Banner Elk, North Carolina

http://www.fiddletree-music.com



The Swannanoa Gathering

About: Various week-long programs in various forms of folk music and dance.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Varies by camp

Location: Swannanoa Valley, near Asheville, North Carolina

https://swangathering.com



North Dakota



International Music Camp/ Adult Community Camps

About: A four-day camp for string orchestra.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Classical Orchestra

Location: International Peace Garden, North Dakota/Manitoba

https://internationalmusiccamp.com/programs-and-sessions/music/adult-community-camps/



Ohio



Ohio Scottish Arts School

About: Classes in Scottish Arts of fiddle, harp, highland dance, pipes, and drums

Date Range: Summer

Style: Scottish Fiddle

Location: Berea, Ohio

https://ohioscottishartsschool.com



Oklahoma



Jana Jae Fiddle Camp and Music Festival

About: Individual and group sessions for all ages and levels.

Date Range: Labor Day Weekend

Style: Fiddle

Location: Grove, Oklahoma

https://www.grandlakefestivals.com/fiddle_camp.htm



Pennsylvania



Folk College

About: A weekend of folk music workshops and concerts.

Date Range: May

Style: Folk

Location: Huntingdon, Pennsylvania

https://folkcollege.com



Tennessee



Nashville Acoustic Camps

About: Small size fiddle camps by Megan Lynch Chowning.

Date Range: Varies

Style: Old Time Fiddle

Location: Nashville, Tennessee

https://www.nashvilleacousticcamps.com



Texas



Acoustic Music Camp

About: Learn banjo, mandolin, guitar, & bass with the The Tennessee Bluegrass Band. Learn to pick, jam, and have fun.

Date Range: April (in Conjunction with the Bluegrass Heritage Festival)

Style: Bluegrass

Location: Dallas, TX

https://acousticmusiccamp.com



Live Oak Fiddle Camp

About: Advanced fiddle and guitar instruction on a working cattle ranch.

Date Range: May

Style: Various Fiddle styles

Location: Hallettesville, Texas

https://liveoakfiddlecamp.com



Camp Bluegrass

About: A six-day camp with a focus on individual skills and slow jams.

Date Range: July

Style: Bluegrass

Location: Levelland, Texas

https://campmcdowell.org/dates-rates



Vermont



Northeast Heritage Music Camp

About: A welcoming camp community in the hills of Vermont for a week of traditional music immersion open to all instruments.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Music traditions of New England and eastern Canada along with related traditions from around the world.

Location: Starksboro, Vermont

http://www.northeastheritagemusiccamp.com



Washington



Cascadia Irish Music Week

About: A yearly gathering of learners and teachers of Irish traditional music and culture.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Irish

Location: Olympia, WA

https://www.cascadiairish.org/home



Fiddle Tunes

About: It’s a week-long, total-immersion workshop with a hallmark of presenting an expansive array of fiddle styles from specific geographic regions of the world.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Varied styles with a focus on fiddle

Location: Port Townsend, Washington

https://centrum.org/program/fiddle-tunes/



West Virgina



Allegheny Echoes

About: Celebration of Appalachian culture and heritage through old time music classes and outdoor activities in the heart of the mountains.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Bluegrass

Location: Marlinton, WV

http://www.alleghenyechoes.com/location



Wisconsin



Hardanger Fiddle Music and Dance Summer Workshops

About:  Intensive Hardanger fiddle and Norwegian dance classes, concerts, culture sessions, and evening parties.

Date Range: July

Style: Hardanger fiddle

Location: Dodgeville, Wisconsin

https://www.hfaa.org



Haugaard’s West Denmark Fiddle School

About: Classes, singing, and dancing.

Date Range: June

Style: Scandinavian and Anglo/Celtic music

Location: West Denmark, Wisconsin

https://www.wdfiddleschool.org



Adult Fiddle and Violin Camps in Canada


Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Time Music Camp

About: An all-ages music camp prior to the annual Northern Lights Music Festival.

Date Range: August

Style: Bluegrass and Old Time

Location: Ness Creek, Saskatchewan

https://northernlightsbluegrass.com/music-camp/




SOAR: String Orchestra for Adults Retreat

About: An orchestra camp for adult beginners and intermediate players.

Date Range: August

Style: Classical string orchestra

Location: New Denver, British Columbia

https://www.valhallafinearts.org/site/adult-string-orchestra/




The Gaelic College

About: Year-round programming in the culture, music, language, crafts, customs, and traditions of the immigrants from the Highlands of Scotland. Offers students of all ages and skill levels instruction in Gaelic culture and music.

Date Range: Varies

Style: Cape Breton

Location: St. Ann’s Nova Scotia

https://gaeliccollege.edu




International Music Camp/ Adult Community Camps

About: A four-day camp for string orchestra.

Date Range: Summer

Style: Classical Orchestra

Location: International Peace Garden, North Dakota/Manitoba

https://internationalmusiccamp.com/programs-and-sessions/music/adult-community-camps/


Adult Fiddle and Violin Camps in the United Kingdom


Sessions and Sail

About: Scottish sailing trips aboard a tall ship that feature traditional music workshops, sessions, and ceilidhs along the way.

Date Range: Varies

Style: Varies by sailing trip but includes Scottish fiddling, song writing, and bluegrass sailing trips.

Location: Most voyages start from Oban, Scotland

https://sessionsandsail.com/home

Fèis Glenn Albainn

About: A long weekend on the shores of Loch Ness to develop skills in song, dance, and traditional music.

Date Range: February

Style: Scottish

Location: Fort Augustus, Scotland

http://www.feisgleannalbainn.co.uk

Fèis Rois Adult Féis

About: A three day retreat catering to all abilities, from beginner to advanced. No previous knowledge of traditional music required. Violins are even provided for beginning classes!

Date Range: May

Style: Scottish

Location: Ullapool, Scotland

https://feisrois.org/residential-feisan/adult-feis/

Blazin in Beauly

About: A workshop run by Blazin Fiddle with various class options from “Gently Paced” to “Super Advanced”

Date Range: October

Style: Scottish

Location: Beauly, Scotland

https://blazininbeauly.com

Sabhal Mòr Ostaig

About: Various camps and short courses held at the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture

Date Range: Varies

Style: Scottish

Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland

https://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/short-courses/?lang=en

Adult Fiddle and Violin Camps in Europe

Scandia Camp Mendocino

About: Dance, music, and more!

Date Range: Summer

Style: Scandinavian

Location: Norway and Sweden

http://www.scandiacampmendocino.org



Sore Fingers Summer School

About: Europe’s leading organization for Bluegrass and Old Time Music Camps.

Date Range: October and Easter

Style: Bluegrass

Location: Kingham, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

https://www.sorefingers.co.uk



Grappelli Django Summer Camp

About: A long weekend of workshops and jam sessions hosted by some of the world’s most famous Gypsy jazz musicians.

Date Range: August/September

Style: Gypsy jazz

Location: The Netherlands

https://www.grappellidjangocamp.com



Virtual Adult Fiddle and Violin Camps


Fiddle Hell

About: Online workshops, concerts, and jams.

Date Range: April

Style: Bluegrass, Blues, Cajun, Cape Breton, East European, Electric, Irish, Jazz, Jazz Manouche, Klezmer, Latin, Mexican, New Acoustic, New England, Old-Time Southern, Québécois, Scandinavian, Scottish, and Swing styles. 

Location: Online

https://www.fiddlehell.org




Adult Camps By Famous Fiddlers

These camps and workshops are led by well-known performing fiddlers and violinists. Locations and dates vary as many musicians hold workshops around the world. Check the musician’s webpage for more information.




Alasdair Fraser Camps and Workshops

Date Range: Varies

Style: Scottish Fiddle

Location: Varies

https://alasdairfraser.com/camps-workshops/




O’Connor Method String Camp

About: Mark O’Connor’s music instruction camp based on the O’Connor Method.

Date Range: Summer

Style: American traditional music

Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

https://oconnormethodstringcamp.com




10 Best Violins for Beginners [2024] A Violin Teacher’s Ultimate Guide

10 best violins for beginners.jpg

You’ve decided you’re ready to learn to play the violin! Then you start researching beginner violins. If you are scouring the internet, asking yourself, “what’s the best beginner violin to buy,” you aren’t alone. It’s an overwhelming decision. Unfortunately, the market is saturated with cheap, poorly made VSOs (violin-shaped-objects). Many of my students show up to their first lesson with these inferior “violins.” They are difficult or impossible to tune, produce an awful tone, and come with low-quality bows, chin rests, and other accessories. 

Students with low quality violins generally take one of two paths. 1. They get frustrated and quit. 2 They get frustrated and buy a better violin. Learning to play the violin or teaching yourself to play violin is hard enough. You shouldn’t have to struggle with a VSO as well.

Trying to make an informed choice on such an important purchase can be difficult. Reading beginner violin reviews can be misleading and confusing. Everyone has an opinion, so who can you trust?

To save you time, money and frustration, I’ve created an ultimate guide to helping you choose the best beginner violin. I’ve had experience with every violin I’m about to tell you about. I’ve either played the violins myself, have students who own the violins, or have heard about them from other violin teachers. In this guide, I’ll answer these questions. Click to skip ahead to each section.

You may also having questions about buying vs. renlfting your first violin. If you are buying a violin for a child or young adult, you’ll also want to measure in order to get the right size.

These other resources may be helpful if you are just starting to learn violin:

If you’re looking for a better bow, check out my recommendations in my article: Best Violin Bow: A Violin Teacher’s Guide to Choosing the Right Bow.

Let’s get started!

What Makes a Good Beginner Violin?

Good materials

Real violins are made of quality materials. Many cheap violins come with plastic parts, wood that hasn’t been dried properly, or wood painted to look like real ebony (the fingerboard). Substandard parts means the violin will never function the way it is supposed to.

Proper Set-Up

Any violin you purchase should be correctly “set-up” by a luthier before being sent to you. Many cheap, factory violins lack this important step. A luthier will make sure the bridge is the correct curvature (otherwise you’ll hit other strings no matter how you bow). They will also ensure the strings are the proper tension, so you don’t have to be a weight-lifter just to put a finger down. A luthier will also ensure the pegs are correctly installed and other parts are functioning before shipping the violin to you.

Easy to tune

Why is tuning so important? You must tune every time you play so that your muscle memory develops correctly. Having a violin that won’t stay in tune wastes practice time and lesson time. 

VSOs (violin shaped objects) can be notoriously impossible to tune. A quality beginner violin will have pegs that correctly fit their holes and be relatively easy to tune. I’ve seen some VSOs come with plastic pegs, meaning the pegs will slip no matter what.

Even violins with well-fitted traditional wooden pegs are subject to changes in humidity that can make tuning difficult or downright impossible sometimes. The answer to the age old problem of tuning is geared pegs, also known as perfection pegs or planetary pegs. Geared pegs look like traditional wooden pegs, but they work like the tuning pegs on guitars, making tuning a breeze. No more stuck or slipping pegs. No more loose strings from changes in weather. Tuning only takes a few seconds. You will rarely, if ever, need to use your fine tuners, even for your E string. I use geared pegs on all of my violins. I will never go back to traditional pegs! Not all violins come with the option for perfection pegs, but I’ve been able to find a few that do offer this wonderful upgrade.

What should be included?

Most beginner violins should come as an outfit, which includes a violin, case, bow, and maybe some rosin. Not all beginner violins do, but that’s okay. You can choose which accessories you want. Be very wary of outfits that include lots of accessories, like tuners, extra strings, shoulder rests, and method books. These other items are often cheap add-ons that you will probably end up throwing away anyway. 

Fiddlerman_OB1_Violin_Outfit_1024x.jpg



What makes a violin "advanced?"

Don’t let violin nomenclature confuse you. When looking at any any violin website, violins are divided into beginner, intermediate, advanced, and professional level categories. That doesn’t mean that you have to be an advanced player to handle an advanced level violin. It’s actually quite the opposite. Advanced violins make it EASIER to sound good. Give a beginner an advanced model violin and they will instantly have a better tone. On the other hand, certain beginner violins will only sound good in the hands of a professional.



How much money should I spend on a violin?

After watching the violin market for the past 20 years, I’ve been able to tell the price line between VSO and real violins. Generally speaking, don’t buy any violin outfit for under $200. Anything cheaper than this is not worth buying. 

ScottCao-STV950_Front-Back.jpg

If you are unsure if you will stick with the violin and just want to “try it out,” don’t fall for these cheap VSOs. I guarantee you, you won’t like it. Some of these “violins” are essentially worthless after you purchase them. No one else will want them either. But if you buy a real violin, and later decide you don’t want it, you can always resell it! Some of the violins around $150-$200 might be playable, but they will come with cheap strings, poor sound quality, and a list of items you might need to tweak to get it easy to play. Skip the hassle, spend $50-$100 more dollars and get a violin you won’t have to keep messing with.

Violins around $200-$350 are considered beginner violins. The violins on the lower end of that range will get the job done, but they are “student” violins. For those who just want to try violin, or for young children who are growing and changing sizes quickly, these violins are fine. A violin in the $300 range is suitable for beginners with a more discerning ear.

$350-$450 is the price point for more advanced beginner violins. These violins should last you a year to three years if you are making consistent progress. They won’t “give out” after three years, but by that time your skill level could benefit from a better violin.

$450-$550 A good price range for older children or adults who will be able to easily distinguish the better quality.

$550-$1000 If you don’t want to worry about having to buy another violin as your skill progresses, look for violins in this range. This price range bridges the gap between beginner and intermediate violins. 

$1000 + This will get you into the range of intermediate and advanced violins. Violins at this price point and above offer quality woods and workmanship. If you’re serious about the violin, instruments in this price range will offer the best quality of sound and allow you to progress and won’t hold you back.




What are the best violin brands under $500?

  • Tower Strings

  • Fiddlerman

  • Gliga Violins

  • Knilling

  • Franz Hoffman

  • Carlo Lamberti

Tower Strings

The Tower Strings line of beginner violins is sold by Fiddlershop. These entry level violins are the best beginner violins in the industry, in my opinion. Since they are sold by Fiddlershop, every violin is tested by a luthier before being shipped. That means your violin is ready to play out of the box—with a little tuning of course!

Fiddlerman

Fiddlerman violins are sold by Fiddlershop, a company that is relatively new to the violin scene. Due to great customer service and exceptional products, Fiddlershop is quickly making a name for itself as a go-to store for all things violin. The Fiddlerman violins offer great quality for a good price. And yes, Fiddlerman violins can be played by fiddlers and classical violinists just the same! All violins sold by Fiddlershop are tested and played by a luthier before being shipped, so you know your violin will sound good. My favorite part about Fiddlerman? They will custom install perfection pegs on any violin you purchase. Plan to add about $100 dollars for this upgrade which I would deem essential. I use perfection pegs on all of my violins and I will never go back to traditional wooden pegs. Being able to easily tune your violin could make the difference between loving this instrument, and hating it. Trust me. 

Gliga Violins

Gliga violins are handmade in Romania. They offer a wide range of violins for all levels and budgets. One thing that sets Gliga apart is their ability to let you customize your violin. You can choose the varnish color, tailpiece, bow, and strings—allowing for a violin that is uniquely yours. 

This makes Gliga special because you can purchase a quality violin with the standard set-up and get a great violin for a budget price. Then, make upgrades according to your budget. 

Knilling

Knilling is a well-known name brand for beginners. My first violin was a Knilling and I still use it for traveling around. Knilling is also one of the few brands that offers violins with perfection pegs (geared pegs that make tuning SO easy). 

Franz Hoffman

Franz Hoffman violins are made in China but are set-up and sold by Shar Music, one of the well-known violin dealers. Franz Hoffman offers a long line of beginner violins and their Amadeus model is one of the cheapest, good quality beginner violins you can buy.

Carlo Lamberti

Another maker sold by Shar Music, Carlo Lamberti offers some upgrades in sound quality for an advanced beginner level violin. These violins may cost a little more, but you will have a violin that will last you through your beginning stages.

What are the best violins by price range?

  • $180-$250—Tower Strings Entertainer, Gilga Genial, Franz Hoffman 

  • $250-$350—Tower Strings Rockstar, Tower Strings Legend, Fiddlerman OB1, Gliga Gems 2,

  • $350-$450— Fiddlerman Apprentice, Gliga Gems 1,

  • $450-$550—Fiddlerman Concert, Gliga Genova, Carlo Lamberti

  • $550+—Fiddlerman Artist, Gliga Gama,

Top 10 Beginner and Intermediate Violins

FM_Artist_Violin-5.jpg

Best Beginner Violin Reviews

Tower Strings Violins

Tower Strings offer three entry-level violins: The Entertainer, the Rockstar, and the Legend. These violins surpassed all of my expectations for a beginner level violin. They don’t look or feel like beginner level violins. The have a beautiful finish and little touches like mother of pearl inlays on the pegs and tailpiece give the violin a high-quality appearance. Their wonderful tone and ease of playability make these violins my top pick for beginner violins. At a starting price of $269, they also happen to be one of the most affordable violin outfits.

The outfits come with brazilwood bows and standard entry-level strings but I would highly recommend upgrading to the Fiddlerman carbon fiber bow and the Fiddlerman synthetic core strings. The strings were the best beginner strings I have ever played—even tone and bright, complex sound. The bow made playing very easy and forgiving (not always the case with beginner violins). The combination of strings and the carbon fiber bow made for such an enjoyable playing experience that I would highly recommend them. When you click “add to cart” you will have the option to upgrade.

The violins come as an outfit with a case, bow, rosin, tuner, shoulder rest, cleaning cloth, mute, and beginner’s guide. Literally everything you need to get started playing immediately. The violins I received were almost perfectly in tune when they arrived. A little tuning and you are ready to learn violin.

As with all Fiddlershop violins, your violin is inspected and played by a luthier before being shipped so your violin is ready to go when you get it. This is big, and it’s not something you are going to get when ordering a violin form a mega online store.

Which one should I get? With this brand of violins, you can rest assured that the more money you spend, the better violin you will receive. The Entertainer was wonderful and would suit any beginner just violin. I noticed an increase in tone quality with the increase in price of the other violins, as well as more beautiful wood on the back. If you want a little bit better sound, spring for the Rockstar or Legend.

If you want to make tuning really easy on yourself, Fiddlershop now sells the Entertainer EasyTune. The EasyTune comes with geared pegs already installed which makes tuning so much easier. (I have geared pegs installed on my violin and I’ll never go back to traditional pegs.) Fiddlershop is one of the only online retailers that will install geared pegs on any of their violins before they’re shipped to you (you just have to ask for it). But with the EasyTune, you can purchase the violin with geared pegs already installed. Win win!

Want to really save money? Fiddlershop often has discounted B stock violins for sale. They are perfectly playable with minor cosmetic defects. Check out the discounts here!

Pros

  • Most affordable beginner-level violin

  • Easy to tune (especially if you get the EasyTune)

  • Professional-looking finish

  • Easy to play

  • Sweet, yet powerful tone

  • Comes with everything you need to play

  • Great customer service

Cons

  • There really aren’t any but…Fiddlerman strings and carbon fiber bow are upgrades (well worth it)

 

Fiddlerman Violins

Fiddlerman violins may be relatively new in the violin world, but they are quickly earning a name as a solid, dependable, good quality beginner violin. Fiddlerman offers two entry level beginner violins, the OB1 and the Apprentice if you are on a tight budget. If you can afford a little more, I would recommend the Concert model which has a powerful sound and a beautiful, strong tone.

What sets these violins apart is that they come with superior strings and bows. The Fiddlerman synthetic core violin strings are the best beginner strings I’ve ever tried (better than Dominants). And the Fiddlerman carbon fiber bow is also the best student level violin bow I’ve ever tried. The combination of Fiddlerman strings with the carbon fiber bow made playing extremely easy and forgivable. Normally this quality of strings and bow would be an upgrade for other outfits, but it is standard with Fiddlerman violins.

All Fiddlerman violins come with a 10 point inspection so you know your violin is set-up in the best way possible. Every violin that is tested and played by a luthier before being shipped. The violin also comes as an outfit with a case, carbon fiber bow, rosin, a mute, cleaning cloth, and a quality violin shoulder rest, and a digital tuner. Normally I say to watch out for outfits that include so many goodies, but these goodies are actually worth having! You literally need nothing else to start playing.

One thing I love about Fiddlerman is that they can install perfection pegs on any violin you buy. Plan to add about $100 plus the cost of the pegs to the price for this upgrade which I deem essential.

Want to really save money? Fiddlershop often has discounted B stock violins for sale. They are perfectly playable with minor cosmetic defects. Check out the discounts here!

If you are willing to spend a little more, I recently had a student buy a Symphony violin and it sounds phenomenal!

Pros

Fiddlerman Concert Violin Review.jpg
  • Fiddlerman Synthetic Core violin strings (my favorite beginner level string)

  • Fiddlerman Carbon Fiber Bow (the best beginner bow I’ve ever tried)

  • Powerful sound

  • Attractive finish

  • Comes with everything you need to start playing

  • Option to install perfection pegs

  • Great customer service

Cons

  • These violins sell out quickly so they may not always have your size!

 

Gliga Violins

UPDATE: Recently, I have seen a significant drop in Gliga’s customer service. They do not always respond to questions or phone calls and can be slow to ship violins. They still offer a good product at a good price, but their lack of communication may be something worth considering when deciding between violin dealers.

Gliga Violins are handmade in Romania and offer the largest selection of sizes, styles, and quality. Their cheapest violin outfit is a Genial 2 which starts at $208 for an entire outfit—that’s a great bargain for a good beginner violin. However, there are several upgrades I would definitely recommend and that will drive the price up at which point you may be better off with a Tower Strings or Fiddlerman violin. There are many levels of quality in the Genial line. The Gems line are the beginner level violins that I would recommend. I recently purchased a Gems 2 and found it to be a decent student violin for the price (around $320 for the violin outfit and shipping.

Since Gliga offers so many choices during checkout, you can choose to go with everything standard for a cheap outfit, or you an upgrade certain aspects. Definitely go with better strings. The standard strings left a lot to be desired. I recommend Evah PIrazzis or Dominants. If you can, upgrade to the Carbon Fiber Bow. I also recommend the Wittner tailpiece which can make changing the strings easier.

Gliga also offers the better quality violins for a little more. If you can, go for the intermediate level Gems 1 or Genova. Their advanced models are the Gama violins. I played a Gama a few years ago and fell in love with it. Although cheaper than my personal violin, it sounded comparable in many ways.

Pros

Gliga Genial Violin.jpg
  • Easy to order

  • Lots of options on size, appearance, and quality

  • Good craftsmanship, beautiful appearance

  • Correctly set-up and ready to play

  • Great tone

  • Standard options allow for a great violin on a budget price tag

  • Wooden chin rest (rare in student violins at this price range)

 Cons

  • Pegs can be difficult to turn at first

  • Standard strings, bow, and tailpiece leave a little to be desired

  • Romanian strings don’t have the best sound (choose the upgraded Evah PIrazzis or Dominants). Advanced models come with better strings.

  • Standard tailpiece with fine tuners made changing strings difficult (go for the Wittner tailpiece to solve this problem.)

  • Customer service is slow to respond to questions, if they respond at all.

Franz Hoffman Amadeus Violin

The Franz Hoffman Amadeus violin is one of the cheapest budget violins. Many of my students have started off with this violin. It’s fairly easy to tune with a decent sound. Craftsmanship is pretty standard. This isn’t a violin you will ohh and ahh over, but it checks all the boxes for an easy-to-play beginner violin. It’s a factory violin, so the focus is on affordability. These violins are set-up and ready to play which puts them above other factory-made violins from mega online stores. Students who progress quickly might need a better violin to match their skills as they progress.

Shar Music, one of the most well-trusted online violin dealers, also offers more options in the Franz Hoffman line as well as various other beginner and intermediate violins.

For around the same price, I would personally rather have the Tower Strings Entertainer violin. Much better quality for just a little more.

franzhoffman.jpg

Pros

  • Affordable

  • Set-up and ready to play

  • Comes

  • Good for young children

Cons

  • Standard student quality

  • Orange, beginner-looking finish

  • Not ideal for quickly advancing students






Knilling Perfection Violin

This brand is a long-time standard in the violin industry for good quality beginner violins. My choice for a Knilling Violin would be the Knilling Perfection model. What’s different about this violin? It comes with geared perfection pegs! 

Having a violin that is easy to tune saves so much time in lessons, which is one reason I love this violin. My students who have this violin can’t say enough about the pegs.

If you want a violin that is super easy to tune straight out of the box, like the Tower Strings Entertainer EasyTune, this is another violin option for you.

knilling II.jpg

Pros

  • Easy to tune

  • Comes with Perfection Pegs installed

  • Great looking finish for the price

  • Good sound for beginners

  • Great for young children

Cons

  • Not the best quality violin for the price

 

Carlo Lamberti Sonata Violin

This violin offers a good blend between the beginner and intermediate levels with a price point to match. These violins are made in China and then shipped to the U.S. where they receive the correct set-up from a qualified luthier. Some of my students have this violin model and they enjoy a superior, focused tone. This violin comes with a comfortable chin rest, a tailpiece with fine tuners built-in (for ease of changing strings), and Thomastik Vision strings, a good intermediate level set of strings.

Shar Music offers various upgrades in the Carlo Lamberti Line such as the Classic, Symphony, and Master Series.

Pros

  • Strong Tone

  • Tailpiece with built-in fine tuners

  • Good strings

  • Good for advancing beginners

Cons

  • Doesn’t come as an outfit




What violin brands to avoid?

Many times, a new student will come to a lesson with a violin that won’t stay in tune. The sound is scratchy, the bow is difficult to control, and the strings are difficult to press down. Sometimes the bridge doesn’t have the correct curvature and the student will continuously hit other strings. I can usually guess what brand of violin this is. There are two repeat offenders: Mendini and Cecilo. Many students purchase these violins because they look like decent violins, but they are far from it. While these two companies do make more advanced beginner level violins, they also sell cheap VSOs. While I’ve never tried their more advanced models, I don’t think I want to. When there are so many other great beginner violins out there, why support a company that produces what I would call a gimmick?

Violin Brands To Avoid

  • Mendini

  • Cecilo

  • Eastar

  • Lagrima

  • JMFinger

  • Aliyese

  • Amazon Basics

  • Sky

  • Vangoa

  • Amdini

Since there are probably more BAD “violins” out there than good ones, this list could go on and on. 

What violin would I buy?

If I were buying a violin for my own child, I would purchase the Tower Strings Rockstar or Legend Violin with perfection pegs or the Fiddlerman Concert Violin with perfection pegs. Even if I were there to tune it, I would want my own child being very comfortable tuning their own violin, and the perfection pegs make that possible. If I were buying a violin for a very young child, requiring a violin under a 3/4 size, I might go with the Tower Strings Entertainer or Fiddlerman OB1 or Apprentice with perfection pegs.

If I were an adult beginner purchasing a violin for myself? The Fiddlerman Artist Violin with perfection pegs or the Gliga Gama would be my first pick (they are also the most expensive). There is something to be said about having a violin that looks and feels as nice as it sounds. Having something of quality makes you WANT to open the case, look at your beautiful violin, and play it.

If I couldn’t afford that, I’d get a Fiddlerman Concert with perfection pegs or a Gliga Genova.

Shop Wisely

One thing I’ve noticed while searching for “the best beginner violins” is a plethora of websites listing what they claim are the best beginner violins. I’ve found that many of these websites recommend violins that I know from experience are atrocious. As you read their pros and cons on a particular violin, you may be able to tell that the writer has no experience with this violin at all, they are simply regurgitating reviews. While many of these websites are legitimate, many exist to make money off of affiliate links. Affiliate links allow website owners to make a small commission on products, at no cost to the person using the link. I too use affiliate links as a way to help support the cost of the website, but I don’t promote products for the sake of earning a commission. The whole reason I created my website was to educate students and stop them from wasting money on VSOs. 

Don’t be fooled! Purchase a quality violin and you won’t regret it!

Check out my Step by Step Guide to Starting Violin Lessons and double check that you have everything you need to make learning the violin fun with my checklist on What to Buy for Violin Lessons.

Happy Practicing!

5 Items You Need to Play Violin

Are you ready to start playing violin and wondering, “What all do I need to start playing violin?” Here is my list of must-have accessories for playing violin.

For starters, you'll want a violin! Check out my post on buying a violin to help you pick out the right size or decide between renting and buying. There are many options for beginner violins. After hearing and tuning many beginner violins, I’ve narrowed down the choices and selected the most affordable violins that still have great sound and are easy to tune. Discover my top picks for beginner violins here.

1. Shoulder Rest.

This is essential to helping you hold the violin correct. I recommend the Everest shoulder rest for people with smaller necks or the Wolf Forte Secondo with normal to longer necks. Make sure your shoulder rest size matches the size of your violin. Check out my page on shoulder rests for more detailed information.

 

2. Music Stand


Using a music stand promotes good posture. If you're practicing with your music in your lap, in your case, or pinned to the wall, chances are you're doing some weird things with your posture that can lead to real tension issues. Portable stands are fine and nice to have, but a stand with a solid back makes it easier to write on your music. Plus, it’s more stable and solid than those flimsy, cheap wire stand. I recommend this stand which doubles as a foldable travel stand, but it’s got a solid sturdy back.


Hamilton Traveler Portable Music Stand




5. Rosin

If you purchased your violin as an outfit, rosin was probably included. However, student-grade rosin often has a grittier sound and produces more powder. For a few dollars more you can upgrade to a better sound. A cake of rosin can last a decade if properly taken care of, so it’s worth spending a few extra dollars. Dark rosin is more sticky and is better for dry climates. Light or amber rosin is better for violin but both colors work.

This Holstein Reserve Rosin is my absolute favorite. It’s a little pricey but so worth it.

4. Metronome/Tuner

You can use free apps for help tuning your violin. As you progress, you’ll realize a tuner and a metronome offer many tools to a violinist to make even faster progress. I suggest buying an actual metronome tuner combo. These metronome/tuners are usually louder than the apps and the metronomes also offers different pitches, called “drones” which can really help you play in tune!

Boss and Korg are good brands, like this Korg Metronome Tuner.

You don’t have to put “stickers” or decals on your fingerboard to help you know where to put your fingers. You want to learn to rely on your ear and muscle memory more than anything. But if you want a little visual aid to help you know where to put your fingers, I recommend First Frets. Remember to buy the size that matches your violin size.




Happy Practicing!