I currently play a Stentor Student II violin, and really cannot afford to upgrade as violin isn't my main study. I'm taking my grade 5 on it next term and am undecided whether to carry on with lessons or not after that because I dont feel as though I'm progressing much with violin. However, if I was to carry on with the lessons, how far would my violin take me, and would I need to upgrade it for the higher grades? I dont want to carry on having lessons, only to find out that my instrument is holding me back.

Any thoughts?

'apparently' unless you play on a metal tin, 'it's not the instrument' that 'matters' but the person playing it? so I always hear in these forums. There are a few here that passed grade 8 on relatively 'cheap' student violins, I think one of these people is Liz from Elidatrading, I always remember her saying she's passed grade 8 on a 'poller?' (is that the right one? don't even know which violin it is).

I used to have a stentor II and it's not too bad a violin, in the booklet that came with it it said 'Stentor II - suitable for higher grades' or something but i'd say it'd do you for grade 6, any higher would be a push.

Though i agree that it's not so much the instrument but the person playing it My teacher could make my stentor sound pretty nice (let's not talk about how I made it sound.) But of course there's a limit.

I hope i didn't put you off carrying on - i'm not an expert ATAL so i may be completely wrong.
Also, if violin isn't your main study then i'm sure the stentor would be more than fine until you do your grade 7 exam or maybe even for your grade 7. It all depends

Maybe try something like a nice set of strings (unless you have them already which you probably do?) or a new bow, it can make quite a lot of difference

Good luck!

Quite right. To be fair, the Poller is a notch up from a Stentor 2 - but only a notch. And it did have a top level set up. I have heard (here) of someone passing grade 7 cello with a high distinction on something found in a school music cupboard - a Stentor I think - and there's someone else here whose son did something similar using a cheap cello which had a good set up done. Ideally, upgrade now, but if you're not having lessons any more and don't expect to get much further, then it isn't essential.

Liz

I had a similar problem with not being able to afford a better violin, I have a Blessing. I solved the problem by buying a better bow. At the time I contacted a reputable instument dealer and told them my price range, they sent me four bows to try out. I tried the various bows with my teacher and I was able to produce a better sound with my new bow.

You may want to try different strings, I normally use Dominants, except now I use Obligato for the 'A' string and wondertone for the 'E' string.

Hope this helps

I have both a Stentor II and a bottom range Gliga, in different sizes for my children. The sound difference is amazing and I believe the Gliga has given my daughter a great head start. Her teachers have been impressed with the sound that she creates, which has been a positive reaction for her.

I did on something worth £500 at most, and being an old violin it wasn't nice and clear like modern student ones. I reckon something worth £500 from a reputable Chinese/whatever modern maker would see you through to grade 8, and from what you say it sounds like you play mostly for fun, so sure, I would say carry on with what you've got. Of course, your teacher will know whether it's holding you back or not better than anyone on an internet forum.

Nope - violin is not my first study (flute is), nor is it my second...or possibly even third

I don't plan to take any more exams after the grade 5 really, but would probably like to continue playing in ensembles.

Thanks for the comments.