My 6th Grader is going to play the violin in Orchestra class. What do we need?

Question

Like a violin—where is the best deal?

What extras do you need? (rosin, etc??)

How do we get him to be a pro? I know NOTHING about music.

Thanks!

Answer 1

There are two options for the violin, you can either rent one or buy one.  Your decision whether to rent or buy will be based on several factors...  

First step would be go to a music store or ask the orchestra teacher what size violin your son needs.  Sixth grade is still young, so he may need a 3/4 size violin rather than the standard full size violin.  If this is the case, it may be better to rent the violin for a year so when he grows to the full size you do not have to buy a new violin.  Or, you may decide to rent for a year anyways to make sure that he enjoys playing and doesn't want to quit the next year.  

If you decide you want to buy an instrument, then you may want to look on e-bay for a low price violin.  They often have student violins, or advertise violins for beginners.  These are not fine instruments, but they are good to learn on.  If your son is still playing violin in high school, then you could always upgrade to a violin more appropriate to his higher skill level.  Bottom line, he does not need a $500+ violin right now if he has never played music before.  [when I started playing violin in grade 8, my parents bought me a basic $200 violin...  I loved to play and got very good, so in grade 10 they upgraded me to a $2500 violin]

As for other accessories, make sure you get a bow (bow comes standard with violin rental, but sometimes the violins they sell online don't come with a bow), rosin for the bow, and a music stand.  They sell metal wire folding stands that are really handy -- easy to put away and easy to take with you -- also adjustable so you can play sitting down or standing.  Also, make sure there is a quiet, well-lighted place for him to spend time practicing.

I don't know if there is a certain guarentee to becoming a pro...  but I would say that if he wants to be a pro, then practice is very important!  You may also consider enrolling him in a private lesson outside of the school class. Ask the orchestra teacher if he/she can recommend some private lesson instructors (orchestra teachers usually know other musicians or contacts that teach private tuitions).  Or find out if there is a community music school where he can enroll for a weekly lesson.

It is ok if you know nothing about music--  my parents do not read music or play an instrument and I learned piano, cello, and violin (all to an advanced skill level) when I was school aged.  

Answer 2

You should probably get him a violin "outfit" - which includes the violin, a bow, a case and rosin.  A lot of people like these:

http://beststudentviolins.com/violins.ht...

You should also find him a private teacher.  See:

How to locate teachers and violin shops

http://beststudentviolins.com/PedagogyTe...

Also see:

Survival Guide for String Students & Parents

http://beststudentviolins.com/survival.h...

Good luck!