How to Buy a Violin for a Beginner

[@TanTran-gn6hj]

Bought mine at Kennedy. Couldn't be happier. Gorgeous look and resonant sound

[@KennedyViolins]

Sweeeet. Thanks for letting us know!

[@Man_Cave]

I bought a Carpini off this guy in 2013 and it had a large chip in the scroll and a crack in the top. I e-mailed him about it several times and he just ignored me. The guy is like a used car salesman. You can't trust him. Fortunately, I bought it off Amazon so I sent it back.

[@KennedyViolins]

@@Man_Cave 10 years ago something bad happened? Yikes. We've always been easy to contact. Not sure what happened there. I assure you, our email and phones work quite well now! Perhaps it was the tin cans and string you were using? 🤪

[@boonsfrc]

These guys got right back to and I also called them and they were very kind and took care of I will be renting and only buying from @KennedyViolins

[@Man_Cave]

Sure wasn't my experience. Kennedy Violins tried to stick me with a cracked and chipped violin and didn't respond to any of my messages.@@boonsfrc

[@pilotpeego1820]

Awesome video! I bought my violin my Kennedy 2 years ago, and I absolutely love it. Great quality!

[@KennedyViolins]

Sweet! Thanks for letting us know and appreciate the comment on the vid. 😃

[@barrettsyl2077]

Thank you. Went ahead and ordered a violin from Kennedy.

[@KennedyViolins]

Awesome! You'll be up and running in no time! 💪

[@boonsfrc]

I am really enjoying my rental I got the Anton G. Thank you , I am truly enjoying learning how to play the violin 🎻

[@KennedyViolins]

Sweet! Thanks for letting us know and appreciate the comment on the vid. Good luck on your violin journey!🙂

[@TikTak-g1e]

Hi! Great video! Can you suggest some books maybe about how vanish affects to violin sound or about different violins shapes and how it affect to sound too or what is the difference between this Stradivarious, Amatise, Guarneri? or do you already have a video on one of these topics?

[@KennedyViolins]

That's an interesting idea. Perhaps I could figure out a video about that topic. 👍

[@vishwasreddy5979]

Thank you for your good advice

[@panoramicviolinist]

Nice! Thanks

[@KennedyViolins]

Glad you liked!

[@vie9056]

Is it okay to aim for a 1000-1500$ student violin (asking as complete beginner)

[@KennedyViolins]

If you buy from a "reputable business". Then, you are probably fine. It's a good amount for a beginner violin.

[@tarahobbs8635]

What should I look for if purchasing a used violin locally?

[@KennedyViolins]

Well, pretty much the same things you'd look for in any other violin, regardless of where it comes from. Setup is super important. If you have the ability to play the violin, then for sure, make sure you play it and find out if it's the violin for you or not. Personally, I will only buy a violin from a friendly shop. If they are stuffy and unpleasant, then take your business elsewhere.

[@bliss6495]

Why didn't you mention to choose a light weight violin? Isn't a heavy violin exhausting the player faster? Mine is heavy, it sores me. It is a student violin from Europe.

[@KennedyViolins]

🤔 well, the difference in weights of violins is incredibly small and generally not a factor. Usually, how you hold your violin is the biggest determining factor in your comfort level and endurance. If you are getting pretty sore and tired, start by having a look at what shoulder rest you're using and how you position the violin on your shoulder. 👍

[@emanuelafortunato4524]

How much should I spend if I am 42, I played for 5 years then I stopped studying it but I want to play it for fun?

[@KennedyViolins]

It really depends on your time horizon. How long do you want to learn without having to buy another instrument? How committed are you? If I were you, I'd at least target an "intermediate" violin and then go from there. Only you know the length of your commitment. commitment = time. Time = money..

[@emanuelafortunato4524]

@@KennedyViolins for the rest of my life. I am already 42

[@KennedyViolins]

@@emanuelafortunato4524 It's super safe to buy a Zubak I think. Perhaps even a Henner or Giuliani but it depends on how much you want to budget. I hope that helps!

[@emanuelafortunato4524]

@@KennedyViolins what about a Stentor? I want to spend around €600

[@KennedyViolins]

@@emanuelafortunato4524 I don't know much about their violins but I know that some of them have pretty good reviews on Amazon.

[@artfifi5424]

what about the size of the violin there are a lot of sizes?

[@violaracer8168]

Yes, there are different size violins for different size people. Most kids 10 years and older will be able to play on a full size but any kid that's younger will have to play on a smaller violin. Violin sizing charts are all over the place and Kennedy violins has sizing charts on its site as well. Obviously, the best person to ask is probably a violin teacher but if there isn't one to ask, then you can just measure from their neck to their palm and that usually is pretty accurate.

[@artfifi5424]

@@violaracer8168 thank you a lot!

[@KennedyViolins]

@@artfifi5424 Welcome!

[@bigal25938]

I want to buy a violin to learn some tunes but also want it to be a family heirloom piece. I do not want one from China. My budget will be under $3000. Any recommendations?

[@violaracer8168]

Well, I suppose anything can be a family heirloom if you keep it long enough! Any violin that you find in the 3,000 price range, will have Chinese components in it. And dare I say, it's impossible to find a better violin in that price range that has no Chinese components in it. As a general rule, you'll have to spend at least 7-10 thousand dollars to find any violin that has no Chinese components in it and it may not be very good. It's just a matter of Labor costs. That's why just about everything in your house has some Chinese component. Fortunately, the Chinese have gotten extremely good at making violins these days. Most of the great makers from China, studied with famous Italian French or German makers. 😊

[@bigal25938]

@@violaracer8168 thanks for the quick reply. I think I will pass on the idea then but really appreciate the information.

[@kellymcgrath5541]

im terrified I'll get a $100 violin and need to buy a better one a month later.... or that id buy a $600 violin and I hate it or am totally incapable of playing a violin. Probably will end up with something from Kennedy at the end of the day though.

[@violaracer8168]

Well, you could always try renting for a while. Kennedy violins has many violins that you can rent and your rent payment goes towards a purchase in the future if you want. It's a pretty cost-effective way to not commit to anything and test the waters a bit!

[@imandabayu4712]

This video just come out when I already bought my first violin yesterday 🥲 I got Beijing 160, it's around 140$ with solid rosewood which may be pretty good.

[@KennedyViolins]

Well, you didn't buy it from us, but I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you might have nonetheless!

[@Jinkani]

So don't buy one from my local pawn shop, lol

[@KennedyViolins]

LOL. Well, unless you really know what you're doing, any pawn shop violin will probably have to have some work done to it. Sometimes, though, you can get some great deals because they usually have no idea what they have.