Who to Ask for Advice When Buying Your First Violin

Who to Ask When Buying Your First Violin: A Beginner’s Guide

It feels really exciting yet thrilling to be buying first violin, especially if you’re a beginner who wished for it a long time. You can gain a mix of feelings which can lead you to impulsively purchase almost anything laid in front of you. But hold on – that’s now how it works. When buying a violin for beginners, I recommend talking to the best of the best enthusiasts and who are they? Let’s meet them right here!

Music Teachers

A. Role of Teachers in the Buying Process

The first reliable resources I recommend talking to are music teachers. Since they are teachers, they know what makes a good violin and what’s exactly you need as a beginner. They actively teach younger and starter musicians so they can give you personal insights like size, skill level, functionality of the instrument, and price range that can help you scout particular models.

Don’t be shy to ask, “What do you think fits me?” or “What should I consider first when scouting violins?” and “Do you  have any shop recommendations where I can visit?” Questions like these are indeed helpful.

Experienced Musicians

A. Benefits of Consulting Fellow Players

Second to my list are experienced musicians, which you can find near you or even online. Musicians with long experience of playing the violin can give you fresh and raw insights about the instrument. Likewise, since they also became a beginner once in their journey, they can share some tips that can guide you which violin to pick. They can even share some factors you can consider when looking for a violin.

B. Community Recommendations

Another helpful resource is to go through community recommendations. If you have peers or fellow musicians playing the viola, you can ask for their insights regarding new violas for beginners. Ask them about their experience as well and where they got their first instrument.

Local Music Shops

A. Expertise of Shop Owners and Staff

Now if there are local shops near you where you can scout violas, it’d be better to visit them and personally talk to the shop owner and staff there. Typically, shop owners and most especially the staff are knowledgeable about violas. You can use this chance to ask them about the beginner violins they have and what they can recommend for you.

B. Access to Rental Options

Aside from outright purchase, you can also consider rental options. This is a cost-effective solution for beginners who are not yet decided whether to purchase immediately. Rental options come with various benefits such as affordability, flexibility, and accessibility.

Online Resources

A. Educational Websites and Forums

Let’s go to the easy part – educational websites and forums. There are lots of online communities where you can ask for advice regarding purchasing your first violas. There are platforms where you can post a question and music enthusiasts will answer your questions on the comment section.

B. Reviews and Ratings

Don’t forget to check the reviews and ratings of a particular instrument before purchasing. It’s important to note that the reviews and ratings reflect the product quality and the user’s experience that you could possibly encounter as well.

Conclusion

When buying a violin for beginners, don’t forget to consider your needs and communicate it to someone knowledgeable. It could be a music teacher, a relative playing viola, or a shop owner together with the staff. Sometimes, all you need are fresh insights and previous experiences to help you decide which one to buy.

Guest Article.