6 Best Beginner Violins 2020
Depending on the level of interest that the new violinist has in the instrument, it’s hard to determine which is the best beginner violin.
Perhaps your elementary school child has a friend who plays and they decided it would be fun to learn. In this case, the best choice is a less expensive violin since their interest is surface level.
A beginner with more serious musical intentions might want a more expensive violin. They will appreciate the quality and can sell it once they decide to upgrade.
Below, we have options for both scenarios. Whether you want to spend more or you prefer to spend less, check out the top choices for beginners along with some tips on what to look for as you browse.
Things to Consider
Before you select a violin, consider the following:
- Starter Kit. Violin starter kits are great for those who have no idea where to begin when it comes to selecting a violin.
They help introduce you to the care and violin essentials until you learn more about the instrument and develop your own personal preferences.
- Strings. Sometimes a change of the strings can make a huge difference in the sound of the violin, so if you spend money on one and aren’t pleased, then ask an expert which strings you might try and the different sounds that they produce.
6 Best Violins for Beginners Comparison
Violin Size
Just as shoes come in a variety of sizes to fit your feet, violins come in a variety of sizes to fit the violinist.
The sizes include: 1/10, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 7/8 and 4/4 (which is also known as full size).
If you have a child over the age of 10 who needs a violin, then most likely a full size is fine. If not, you can adjust accordingly and go down to a smaller size. One should be able to comfortably hold the violin, elbow slightly bent while gripping the top of the fingerboard with ease.
Some adults may need smaller sizes, and you’ll notice that number five on our list is, in fact, a 1/2 size for beginners.
Student vs Professional
You’ll find that some violins are designed for professionals while others are designed for students.
Professional violins are made from the highest quality materials and a lot of care is taken throughout the entire design process.
Student violins, while still capable of producing quality sound, may be made with less expensive materials that may not age well. By cutting corners during the manufacturing process, you may save more money up front, but the violin may produce buzzing sounds and the bow may not be well balanced.
Something to consider as you compare and contras!
Top 3 Best Beginner Violin Reviews
1. Bunnel Pupil Violin Outfit
The best beginner violin on our list is the Bunnel Pupil full size violin, designed for students who will eventually need to change to a professional violin as they improve.
While this is an entry-level student violin, it is certainly not lacking in quality. It features 100% ebony fittings (fingerboard and pegs), hand carved maple bridge, hand-rubbed oil-based finish and is pre-strung with D’Addario Prelude strings.
The bow is made of a genuine Brazilwood and Mongolian horsehair with mother of pearl accents.
It also comes with the case that has a hygrometer so you can track the moisture level inside. Padded straps, extra strings and a cleaning cloth are also included!
2. Cremona SV-130 Violin with Premium Strings
Cremona is another solid investment if you have serious intentions heading into the violin world.
This student violin features a hand carved solid spruce top and solid maple back, sides and neck. The bow is also Brazilwood with unbleached white horsehair, and it has ebony pegs and fingerboard, must-haves for a quality violin!
The sound is superb and many serious entry-level violinists along with those who haven’t touched a violin in years adore this piece.
3. Mendini MV500+92D Violin
Another great full size violin is the Mendini, a more cost-effective option that isn’t lacking in quality.
This solid, hand carved spruce violin has ebony fingerboard, pegs and chinrest, the Cecilio 92D chromatic string tuner with metronome and two bows.
While it may not be the best violin for beginners who want a serious entry-level piece, it is great for those who want a full size violin without making a serious investment.
