measuring a violin Options

[just helen]

My pupil is nearly 13 and at present plays on a 3/4 size violin (she is not big for her age - average to small, I'd say!).

However the violin itself has problems (see haunted violin thread) and I feel she could do with another instrument. I tried her with my full size and she can reach the scroll comfortably but not wrap her hand over it.

What do you think? Does she now need a full size instrument? If it is a little large would that impede her progress?

Thanks.

[dotted quaver]

My size-guide is whether they can play 4th finger notes without straining. You don't say what standard she is, but if she hasn't already learnt it would be worthwhile showing her so you can see if she can use her 4th finger comfortably both as an alternative to open strings and a semitone lower.

[jod]

My size-guide is whether they can play 4th finger notes without straining. You don't say what standard she is, but if she hasn't already learnt it would be worthwhile showing her so you can see if she can use her 4th finger comfortably both as an alternative to open strings and a semitone lower.

Dotted quaver you sound like the type of person to have around when violin shopping... A task I will be undertaking with younger son soon.

Now as a non violinist who can pitch I can at least find a place on bottom three strings where a fourth finger is the same pitch as the next string up and the semitone below and get younger son to place 4th finger there to see if this is comfortable (he is a beginner) and as an ergonamist see if this is producing strain, but that I know is not the same as teaching him the finger position.

I will of course be guided by what the shop says too.

[dotted quaver]

Thanks! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

As your son is a beginner, it could be 6 months or so before he is taught 4th finger depending on the tutor book he uses, the speed of progress, especially if he is being taught in a group. He will grow during the year too. I usually aim for a violin which will last for at least the first year of lessons, sometimes they last longer. I prefer a violin to be fractionally smaller than required than too big to avoid straining and potential hand injury.