I was 14 when I moved onto a full-size violin, and I know this is quite late - I think most people get theirs around 12ish.

But then I didn't get my 3/4 till I was 11. I got a 1/2 when I was 9, I think, and a quarter when I was 8. My 1/16 size lasted me nearly four years!!!

I get the impression that cellists generally have to wait a bit longer before they can play a full-size instrument though!

I couldn't manage my 15" viola until I was 15 - did anyone else start the viola on a strung-up violin?

I started on full-size instruments from the beginning, which was probably a bad idea since tuba and bass guitar were quite a handful for an 8 year old!

Matt

I started playing violin and trombone, using a full size instrument - I was 6. I started cello on a full size when I was about 8 (can't remember exactly, but about those ages).

Started on a 1/32 size age 5, moved up through 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, now on my 2nd 4/4, moving back to a 7/8 soon.
Downsizing!

Had a full size viola from the beginning, but then I only started when I was 14.

Did you go straight onto viola, or did you start on violin? I can't remember if you have said before (sorry)

Well I'm 16 now and still not on a full-size violin, I have a 7/8 and I can't see I'll ever have a 4/4. My viola is a 15" but it's actually quite big for me.
My guitar is a full size although at times it can be a little big for me. I only have small hands.

Nope - I'm a 'pure' violist!

Wow. You've done really well to get so far in such a short time!

My son (11, nearly 12, and tall), has just moved to a full size cello. My observations at school are that for cellos most year 7's are on 3/4's, but by year 9 most are on full size.

My daughter (10 and also tall) plays a 14" viola (recently moved from a re-strung 3/4 violin).

Didn't move up to a full-size violin until I was 15, but now play 7/8 size violins. Hand size usually dictates what is and isn't practical with the size of musical instruments.

My son was 8 when he moved onto a full size violin and the other son is still on his 1/4 cello and he is just 9. It can vary so much.

I would think it would depend more on your size than your age. For example my 8 year old cello playing daughter is very small for her age, and is now playing a 1/2 size cello. I don't expect her to move up to a 3/4 one for some time yet, as the 1/2 size is still a little big.

gosh my son must be small if your daughter is already on a 1/2 !!

She is really small, honestly!! She is about 128cm tall and smallest in her class! If you check my card you will see her with her smaller cello, size down from 1/2 not sure what this is? (this was taken last year). She has got used to her half now, we hire it, so we hope it should last until we buy her one when she goes to secondary school.

I was around 10 and a half when I used a full sized violin.

I started on a 1/4 at age 7 then moved to half age 8 1/2 then to 3/4 at 10 I then got a full size at age 11

When i was 11

yea i started viola on a strung up violin and then i got a full size viola, it was really different. Now im not used to playing on a viola as it is too big for me and is a really big change from my little restrung violin!

Started playing violin last year straight onto a 4/4 instrument................then again I am 45!

I started playing on a full size cello mainly I think because it was the only avalible instrument. I know a 13 year old cello player from school who still plays a 3/4 size as a full size is bigger than him