Help Needed: Buying a Violin

[Yoda]

Hello!

I'd like to take up playing the violin, as I think it will lessen my obsessions and give me something to do. Hopefully, then, I shan't bother folk who don't want to be bothered. It's a foolproof plan (except for the bit where I miss talking to those people as much, but one does what one must do) .

Of course, I've never been near an instrument like it before and have absolutely no idea what kind of violin I should get. Having said that, I've no idea what kind of violins there are.

I'm left-handed, meaning I'd need a left-handed violin, and I don't think I want to spend much more than a hundred pounds or so (yes, I'm in the UK) . Thus, my questions are:

• Are there any "brands" in particular to be looking out for?
• Does it matter if it's second-hand?
• How much does a decent left-handed violin usually cost?
• Does quality and cost of the violin actually affect the sound much, or is it mainly to do with the strings?
• I've heard I should use nylon strings, is that correct?

 

[Teeke]

I'll just leave this here....

Yes the quality, workmanship, woods, condition, etc all affect the sound of the violin.
Second hand instruments can have a very nice sound, being as they are already broken in - but a lot of times they will just be broken.
Play the instrument before you buy it. 2 of the same make, same model will have different sounds.

 

[Faelin]

I've had a couple of "stentor" violins before, and I can't complain a bit, they are very nice without being horrifyingly expensive. Having said that, for the first few weeks of learning I rented a veeeery cheap violin second hand fairly cheaply until I was certain I enjoyed it, and even with that the sound quality wasn't affected terribly.

Just don't let a salesperson talk you into the really fancy pants ones unless you are certain you're going to go on with it, and you aren't going to have another growth spurt.

 

[Teeke]

Oh man, I totally forgot about getting sized for it~

 

[Yoda]

Regarding the entire "play it first" shenanigan:

I can't play; I've never played before. I hear it's rather screechy to begin with, so how will I know which sounds best?

But I am determined to play the violin, and I've promised myself to keep trying no matter how terrible at it I am to begin with.

 

[Teeke]

it shouldn't be horribly hard to get a decent sound out of it... so long as you play ABOVE the bridge~

 

[Yoda]

it shouldn't be horribly hard to get a decent sound out of it... so long as you play ABOVE the bridge~

Which bit is the bridge?

 

[Teeke]

 

[Teeke]

as a beginner the hardest part is just holding the damn thing in place (heck, even later on it's still an issue that plagues people)

 

[Yoda]

Thanks, you've both been a great help. I know I can rely on you lot.

 

[Michcat]

Regarding the entire "play it first" shenanigan:

I can't play; I've never played before. I hear it's rather screechy to begin with, so how will I know which sounds best?

But I am determined to play the violin, and I've promised myself to keep trying no matter how terrible at it I am to begin with.

If you've never played before, rent it while you take lessons/figure it out
As Mucus said, you generally don't play below the bridge. If you really want to see how it sounds, just pluck the strings (With a single finger)

( Play cello, been doing so for 11 years- very familiar with violin/viola. )

 

[Yoda]

If you've never played before, rent it while you take lessons/figure it out
As Mucus said, you generally don't play below the bridge. If you really want to see how it sounds, just pluck the strings (With a single finger)

( Play cello, been doing so for 11 years- very familiar with violin/viola. )

Rent it. Okay. I could do that. Thanks.

 

[Faelin]

As Mucus said, you generally don't play below the bridge. If you really want to see how it sounds, just pluck the strings (With a single finger)

And if you're going to do it with the bow, for the love of God do it quietly.

 

[Teeke]

SCrAAAAAaaARRAANKKKK!!!

 

[K9]

I was about to go on a friendly/helpful rant about how everything in an instrument changes how it sounds, but I 'aint got time f'dat.

I hope the music world becomes what you want it to, enjoy!

-K9

 

[Yoda]

Thanks. My hope is to be able to one day play in this: