Learn me violins for kids

So my 10 year old son has put it in his mind that he wants to learn to play the violin. I have no idea where to start. Should I simply buy a cheap used violin to try out first? Or go straight to enrolling him in a class?

How did you guys go about with your kids? Any help would be appreciated.

Ditch the violin. Tell him to learn fiddle.

Seriously though, I'd start by asking the school.

PM me, Tunawife teaches kids violin as a side job, she is a music teacher. Whatever you do, don't get one from Amazon or something like that.

Don't have kids, but I was one, and I happened to play. In my case, music class (orchestra, band, or choir) was pretty much required. I think I started in 5th grade through school, where they had instrument rental or purchase plans with a company. I'd check with his school to see if they offer any music classes before paying out of pocket for individual lessons or anything.

I had to learn an instrument for my Grandmother. The violin was chosen for me. Played for 16 years.

I would encourage and support kids who want to do anything with their hands that does not involve a phone or game controller.

A local music store like Music and Arts or Sam Ash might be the best place to start. They either offer classes or can refer you to someone who does. I would see that he gets a proper start on the instrument rather than just try to figure it out on his own. Around here, kids can take strings in middle school, so hopefully he can get instruction at school in a year or so.

MulletTruck wrote: I had to learn an instrument for my Grandmother. The violin was chosen for me. Played for 16 years. I would encourage and support kids who want to do anything with their hands that does not involve a phone or game controller.

I think there is just too much violins in video games and TV/movies today.

Given a choice of instruments, most kids would not choose the violin unless there was a list of instruments they had to pick from. It's right at that age where the school band starts and plants the idea in their heads. The trouble with most band instruments is that you can't actually play any songs without a band. And you don't learn any actual music theory ever. Or get any wimmins.

Get him a guitar or a nice 80 key electronic keyboard (travel piano) and a teacher. He will learn to play actual music AND it won't sound like someone is murdering a cat in your house while he is getting started.

If you are pursuing violin (played since 3rd grade), RENT an instrument until they are in a fullsize. (happened about middle school for me)

I had something where rent money went towards an eventual instrument purchase IIRC (would have to ask my parents).

For a decent violin, expect to pay $1,xxx or thereabouts.

You should reach out to local teachers and ask their advice about getting an instrument for your kid. They will know the local options.

Huckleberry wrote: Given a choice of instruments, most kids would not choose the violin unless there was a list of instruments they had to pick from. It's right at that age where the school band starts and plants the idea in their heads. The trouble with most band instruments is that you can't actually play any songs without a band. And you don't learn any actual music theory ever. Or get any wimmins.

Guys used to tease me for playing in the orchestra, like it made me less of a man or something. They stopped after I pointed out to them that the girl to guy ratio was about 10:1 in my favor. Would guitar have been better? Possibly, but I was up to my eyeballs in options anyway. And putting "1st chair in Symphony Orchestra" as an extracurricular on a college application tends to look better than "lead guitarist in a totally rad garage band".

Apexcarver wrote: I had something where rent money went towards an eventual instrument purchase IIRC (would have to ask my parents). For a decent violin, expect to pay $1,xxx or thereabouts.

This. All of this. A local shop will help you, plus, they will probably be able to get your kid into something bigger as they grow without losing the money you've put into the eventual purchase.

My kids played piano from 1st to 4th grade then son went French horn and daughter does percussion/piano.

Rental starts in 5th grade. Now daughter finished orchestra and jazz band - 8th grade. I am impressed at how good the jazz band is.

Do rental as violins are sized; 1/4 size, 1/2 size or something like that.

Huckleberry wrote: Given a choice of instruments, most kids would not choose the violin unless there was a list of instruments they had to pick from. It's right at that age where the school band starts and plants the idea in their heads. The trouble with most band instruments is that you can't actually play any songs without a band. And you don't learn any actual music theory ever. Or get any wimmins. Get him a guitar or a nice 80 key electronic keyboard (travel piano) and a teacher. He will learn to play actual music _AND_ it won't sound like someone is murdering a cat in your house while he is getting started.

Clearly an ugly, inflammatory post. I'd suggest a lifetime ban.

1988RedT2 wrote:

Huckleberry wrote: Given a choice of instruments, most kids would not choose the violin unless there was a list of instruments they had to pick from. It's right at that age where the school band starts and plants the idea in their heads. The trouble with most band instruments is that you can't actually play any songs without a band. And you don't learn any actual music theory ever. Or get any wimmins. Get him a guitar or a nice 80 key electronic keyboard (travel piano) and a teacher. He will learn to play actual music _AND_ it won't sound like someone is murdering a cat in your house while he is getting started.

Clearly an ugly, inflammatory post. I'd suggest a lifetime ban.

Would I then be sent to Banned Camp?

In reply to Huckleberry:

Yes, absolutely. And well played, sir!

only if he learns to play like Trampled by Turtles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjdkc14-zwQ

pilotbraden wrote: only if he learns to play like Trampled by Turtles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjdkc14-zwQ

I love that band.

Also, may i suggest the mandolin like cast iron filter?

(Id link a video, but i suck.)

Edit: Maybe???? Louisville KY https://g.co/kgs/eXujzp

tuna55 wrote: PM me, Tunawife teaches kids violin as a side job, she is a music teacher. Whatever you do, don't get one from Amazon or something like that.

My 8yo (today!) daughter has been playing for 1.5 years or so with this Amazon-sourced violin, recommended by her instructor. I could have sworn it was $150 but it looks like I paid $192 at the time, which was not that many months of rental (I can't remember exactly). I'm sure it's not objectively that good but it holds tune between weekly lessons and her instructor discouraged me from buying another one yet.

My daughter has gradually been getting pretty good at it. She plays every night for 10 minutes or so. She's had a couple recitals, which were fun.

Fellow musician here. I started piano at about 8 and still play today. I've played different instruments at different levels of schooling depending on what was needed (trumpet for middle school band, bass guitar for high school jazz band).

I think that if your kid is REQUESTING the violin, this ought to be taken seriously as it's reasonably uncommon and 10 years old makes it that he's probably seen enough of it that he's made a reasonably informed decision. Friends of mine that are music teachers suggest buying over renting. Even if it ends up more expensive in the end, it gives a student a sense of ownership, allows them to customize strings and bows to their preference, and really, just having a quality instrument makes playing much more enjoyable and they'll be more likely to stick with it.

Cremona, Knilling and Cecilo are at the top of the list. They can be had new for $300-$500, but can probably be had cheaper used.

All I gots to say is the 15 YO girl that lives next door plays one extremely well. Her younger sister is good on the flute as well.

Thanks for all the help guys. I spoke with the school's music teacher and she suggested a local music school to get him started on something. Especially with my son's personality, I want to get him started in a well supervised environnement because he tends to get discouraged really quickly if he isn't good right away at something.

Still not to sure what to do about the instrument because I am getting a lot of contradictory advice (like in this thread), but I'll see witht the school what they suggest.

Isn't the GRM instrument the saxophone? Lots of little parts to fix, each of which makes a big difference to the sound and playability.

In reply to chaparral:

Obviously you never noticed the Guitar/Bass thread.

fanfoy wrote: Thanks for all the help guys. I spoke with the school's music teacher and she suggested a local music school to get him started on something. Especially with my son's personality, I want to get him started in a well supervised environnement because he tends to get discouraged really quickly if he isn't good right away at something. Still not to sure what to do about the instrument because I am getting a lot of contradictory advice (like in this thread), but I'll see witht the school what they suggest.

Rent it.

You don't want to make a big investment yet (although they can be easily sold for close to what you paid). Assuming he does stick with it, he'll need a bigger one eventually anyways.

Aside from that, you NEED get him in a good, reliable instrument. If he's using a crappy one, he'll never stick with it--and unlike guitars, you can't get into a good violin for $100.

In reply to chaparral:

That, or a brass instrument. There are "barnyard" find trumpets all the time for basically free, especially in the delta south. Seized valves, bent tubes, and brittle rubber parts make it unplayable, but a little creative metal work, enough lube, and sometimes a BFH can get it just right.