Things to consider when buying a 3/4 size violin: What level is your child? Has he been playing for a few years, or is he a new beginner?
It is generally advised to buy the best violin that your budget will allow. Your selection of violin will depend on your child’s age, the size of violin needed and their experience in playing the violin:
- An older beginner will need a better instrument than a younger beginner
- A child who has already been learning will need a higher quality instrument than a child who is learning for the first time
- If you are choosing a bigger instrument (e.g. 3/4) better to choose a higher quality violin than if you need a smaller (e.g. 1/8) size
Remember also that everyone in the house will have to listen to this violin each time your child is practising! An upgrade in quality in the beginning might turn out to be a very wise investment!
We have 3/4 size violins in two families of instruments: the Primavera and the Eastman. The Primavera family is perfect for new beginners and for young children/small sizes. These violins are built to a high standard and are also a great budget option for the bigger sizes. The Eastman family is ideal for those children who have been playing for a year or two and need a bigger size, children who have been playing a rental instrument and now need a step up, and for older beginners.
Of course, there is nothing stopping you from buying a higher quality violin even for a new beginner, especially if they are older and expected to make quick progress. While children sometimes grow out of the smaller sizes quickly, they tend to stay on 3/4 size violins for a few years making it worth investing in a good quality instrument.
Consider your budget carefully, and keep in mind these are the very best violins we’ve found at each price point, so rest assured that whichever you choose you will have a great value violin! Below are my favourite picks for parents looking for a 3/4 size violin. Click on the images or the titles to see full info on each violin:
1. Primavera 200 Violin outfit. The Award Winning Violin Outfit. Chosen as the Best Orchestral Bowed Instrument by the UK Music Industries Association at the 2013 national awards. The ebony outfit in a satin varnish. Particularly popular for education hire because of its built-in durability and great design. The Primavera 200 violin comes complete with composite bow, rugged case design & quality ebony fittings for a long service life. Available in sizes 1/16, 1/10, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and 4/4. From £139 with FREE UK & EU delivery.
2. Primavera 200 Antiqued Violin Outfit. The Award Winning Primavera 200 has been taken to a new level. By reworking the varnish to create a hand-
3. Primavera Loreato Violin Outfit. A superb quality, hand-crafted, violin for the serious student. The most highly finished and exquisitely detailed instrument in our Primavera student range. Packaged with the Primavera Oblong Case the outfit is completed with the Primavera Composite Bow. Recommended for beginner – Grade 2. The Primavera Loreato Violin is available in sizes 1/2, 3/4 and 4/4. From £198 with FREE UK & EU delivery.
4. First in the Eastman family, we have the Westbury Violin outfit. It comes complete with Brazilwood bow 
and dart shaped case. The case is good quality with adjustable and detachable straps and a nice leather handle. It has an external zipped music pocket, inside blanket and plenty of room inside the case for shoulder rest, rosin and other bits and pieces. The Westbury violin outfit is available in 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 7/8 and 4/4. If budget allows, this violin is ideal for the serious young student, or a great first step up from a rental instrument. Also in antique finish (pictured right). Great looking and sounding, the Westbury violin represents outstanding value for money. From £248 with FREE UK & EU delivery.
5. The Concertante Violin is a superb student violin and the highest quality violin we have in 3/4 size. It is a great looking and sounding instrument, with a fuller sound than the Westbury. Superb value for money. The Concertante violin comes in 3/4 and 4/4 sizes. It is ideal for a child or teen who is approaching intermediate level. Also a great option for adult beginners. It is priced as a violin only, but may be made into a bespoke outfit (violin, bow and case) at a discounted rate. Also in antique finish (€616). From £374 with FREE UK & EU delivery.
All our student violins come fitted with steel strings. I recommend upgrading these to Helicore strings (links on violin product pages). These high grade strings will help bring out the best possible sound from the violins. *This is a fast and cost-effective way of upgrading the sound of any stringed instrument!
Hopefully you will now have all the information you need to choose the right 3/4 size violin for your child. If you need any more help with this, just ask Rhoda!
See all our children’s violins here.
Rhoda Barfoot is a violinist and experienced strings teacher and is director of The Strings Family. Think of Rhoda as your personal shopper for the stringed instruments world! If you have a question about stringed instruments, music study or related topics, check with Ask Rhoda on The Strings Family website.