Are you in search of the best Violin for beginners? Finding the best violin for beginners is not easy, so we have created a list of the best beginner violins in 2023. We have also shared a comprehensive buyer’s guide that can help you narrow down the best violin for you as a learner.

If you want to find a musical instrument that is intricate, elegant, dripping with grace, and versatile, then the violin is the best choice. The instrument can produce sounds that are full of character and emotion. Additionally, the violin is playable in almost every genre of music which is delicately played with a bow. However, as beautiful as it is, it is a complex instrument to master and perform. But that does not prevent the player from having an experience that is fun and rewarding. Thus, if you are a motivated budding musician who wants to learn how to play the violin, you must start with an entry-level instrument first so you will not empty out your bank account right off the bat.

But finding the best violin for beginners is not easy, so we have created a list of the best violin for beginners in 2023. We have also shared a comprehensive buyer’s guide that can help you narrow down the best violin for you as a learner.

Criteria For Buying The Best Violin For Beginners/ Buyer’s Guide:

Materials Of The Build:

Good violins are good because they are made of quality materials. On the other hand, cheap violins come with plastic parts that are breakable and look like a toy, wood that has not been dried properly, or wood that is painted to look like real ebony (the fingerboard) but is not ebony. As a result, inferior material and parts will reduce the equality of the instrument; the violin will not function as intended.

Proper Set-Up:

You are a musician, not a crafter. So it would make sense that the musical instrument comes to you complete, with all the requirements taken care of beforehand. Like many other instruments, the violin should also be correctly “set up” by a luthier before going for sale. The luthier will ensure that the bridge has the correct curvature. Otherwise, you will hit the wrong strings no matter how you bow.

Furthermore, they check if the strings are in the proper tension, so you don’t have to be a weight-lifter in order to put a finger down. And lastly, the luthier will ensure that the pegs are correctly installed, and other parts function correctly before shipping the violin to you. But the problem is cheaper, low-quality violins lack that step.

Easy to tune

What is the purpose of tuning? You must tune every time you play in order for your muscle memory to develop correctly. A violin that doesn’t stay in tune wastes practice and lesson time.

The tuning of VSOs (violin-shaped objects) can be notoriously difficult. An excellent beginner violin will have pegs that fit their holes correctly and be relatively easy to tune. In some VSOs, the pegs are plastic, so they will slip no matter what.

Violins with well-fitted traditional wooden pegs are often affected by changes in humidity, which can make tuning difficult or impossible. Known as perfection or planetary pegs, geared pegs solve the age-old tuning problem. George pegs look like traditional wooden pegs, but they work like tuning pegs on guitars, making tuning a breeze. No more slipping or stuck pegs. There are no loose strings from changing weather conditions. It only takes a few seconds to tune. You will rarely need to use your fine tuners, even for your E string. On all my violins, I use geared pegs. I can’t imagine ever going back to traditional pegs! Although not all violins have the option for perfection pegs, I’ve found a few that do.

Price range:

Before looking for the best violin for beginners, it’s a good idea to determine your budget. Depending on the violin brand you choose, quality violins start around $500 and go up. Be aware that you’ll most likely have to purchase a violin bow and case separately, so factor that into your budget. You can narrow your search by weeding out instruments out of your price range by setting a budget.

Size:

There are different sizes of violins. Violins are available in sizes 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, 1/16, and 1/32. There are two ways to measure a child for a violin accurately. From the base of the neck to the wrist or the center of the palm of the student’s left arm, fully extended away from the body. The student’s neck-to-wrist measurement will indicate the most comfortable size.

What should be included?

Beginner violins are often sold as an outfit, which includes a violin, case, bow, and perhaps some rosin. However, not all beginner violins include these things. It is up to you which accessories you want. Outfits that include lots of accessories, like extra strings, shoulder rests, tuners, and method books should be avoided. The other items are often cheap add-ons you’ll probably end up throwing away anyway.

Sound

Another part of a reliable purchase is a pleasant, creamy, bright-textured sound. It is almost impossible to guarantee the sound quality of an item when you purchase it online. If you do your research properly and review customer reviews, you’re still far away from the wrong sound.

Durability

Your violin should be made of high-quality materials. Cheap violins may look good, but they’re made from plastic parts and wood that isn’t properly dried. Some fingerboards look like ebony, but they’re not.

It means that your violin will never function properly if it is made from the wrong materials.

Comparison Table:

No products found.

Best Violin For Beginners:

Without further ado, let’s get into the list of best violin for beginners.

Stentor Student II 4-String Violin:

Specs:

• Dimensions: 6.2″ x 31.5″ x 11″
• Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Made from a solid, carved spruce top
• The ribs, back, and neck are carved out of solid maple wood

Our first product is high-quality Stentor starter violin. Violins by this manufacturer are superb instruments that are suitable for beginners to intermediate violinists.

Craftsmen at Stentor crafted this four-string violin by hand. It has a maple back and sides, solid spruce top, ebony fittings, and a hardwood chin rest.

These features combine to create a high-quality violin that provides enough projection to fill a small auditorium, which makes it ideal for a budding violinist’s first recital.

With its comfortable canvas case that’s lightweight and durable, the violin is perfect for transporting to and from lessons. It also comes with useful accessories for beginners, such as a horsehair bow and an ebony frog.

Pros:

• Superb Build Quality
• Excellent Carry Case
• Good Projection
• Includes Bow and Frog
• Reasonable Price

Cons:

• Reviewers complained that the varnish on the instrument was too thick and uneven
• A few customers claim that the ebony used for the fittings is of lesser quality

Cecilio CVN-300:

Specs:

• Color: varnish (natural color)
• Size: 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 4/4
• Material: maple back, neck, and sides, spruce top, ebony fingerboard
• Weight: 5 lbs.

Cecilio has created an outstanding best violin for beginners that will cause people to think it is much more expensive than it actually is. The warm tone allows you to develop your talent naturally.

With this model, you are going to get a complete starter kit, which includes a hard case with an extra bridge, a chromatic tuner, and strings. All these accessories are of high quality. The bows are a bit inferior, but they’ll be adequate for you to begin playing.

This violin is a bit heavier at 5 pounds, but it is still light enough to hold comfortably. The extra weight enhances the sound and makes it brighter and richer. It comes in its natural varnish color, which gives the violin an elegant look. We really liked the combination of spruce and maple here.

The violin comes in four sizes, so you should be able to find the right match for you. This violin is slightly more expensive than other violins on this list, but we feel that it strikes the right balance between quality and affordability. It is still considerably cheaper than intermediate or expert violins, so it is highly recommended for beginners.

Pros:

• Full starter kit
• 4 sizing options
• Clean sound
• Brilliant value for money

Cons:

• Bows could be better

Cremona SV-600 Premier Artist Violin:

Specs:

• Available sizes: 4/4
• Top Material: Spruce
• Back Material: Maple
• Item Dimensions LxWxH 24 x 8.25 x 4.38 inches

Cecilio violins are a good choice for someone seeking an affordable upgrade of their beginner violins, as they offer both a premium feel and sound, while still remaining within the budget range of intermediate-level violins. The top of the violin is made of fine-grain spruce, while the back and sides are maples.

There are two well-known tonewoods that have been cured for at least 7 years. The fingerboard, pegs, and chinrest are all made from ebony, and the tuners are gold-plated too. The violin is finished with a hand-rubbed oil finish, which completes its amazing looks.

Pros:

• The back and sides are hand-carved solid maple, while the top is solid spruce.
• Ebony fittings (fingerboard, chin rest, pegs, and tailpiece with four gold-plated fine tuners).
• Hand-rubbed oil finish.
• Strung with D’Addario Prelude strings.
• Comes with a good quality case, brazilwood bow (with pearl inlaid frog), and an extra violin bridge.
• The violin case features a velvet interior with padded neck restraint, hygrometers, storage compartments, and durable shoulder straps.

Cons:

• Certainly priced higher than other entry-level violins, but worth the price.

Kennedy Violins Louis Carpini G2 Violin:

Specs:

• Available sizes: 4/4, 1/2
• Top Material: Spruce
• Back Material: Maple

There are many violin instructors who can attest to the fact that the Louis Carpini G2 is one of the best violins available for beginner players. With an oil finish and ebony fittings, it looks like a work of art and is built to last.

It’s a very durable beginner to intermediate violin that has a richer, better-balanced sound than most in its price range. Even seasoned musicians claim that the quality of the sound is comparable to high-end models that cost hundreds of dollars more.

With Kennedy Violins, you can never go wrong with a Louis Carpini G2 violin. Offered by committed violin makers and luthiers, it is also available in a smaller size, so it is ideal for younger students who are ready for the next step.

Pros:

• It is a cool-looking violin. One look at it and it would make you think that this instrument is very expensive.
• It offers sounds of the highest quality.
• Comes with 45 days return warranty.
• Equipped with D’Addario Prelude strings.
• Comes ready to play, kit includes a Brazilwood bow, bridge, rosin, and hard case lined with velveteen cloth.

Cons:

• According to Kennedy Violins’ official webpage says that they charge an additional shipping fee for orders outside the US.

Bunnel Pupil Violin:

Specs:

• Size: 4/4
• Top Material Type: Spruce
• Back Material Type: Maple
• Finish Type: Oil Rubbed
• Weight: 7.58 pounds
• Dimensions (L x W Hx): 40.7 x 12.7 x 8 inches

The Bunnel Pupil is another instrument with the flexibility to make sure that any beginning musician can find the right instrument for them. This violin can be made in a variety of sizes, from a tenth-sized model for small children to a full-sized model for adults. A Bunnel Pupil produces a sound that can make any pupil sound and feel like a skilled player.

Bunnel manufacturer Kennedy Violins ranks first in customer service on the internet and with web distributors. For students who are no longer pupils, they are also offering the Bunnel Full-Size. The purchase of the pupil comes with brazilwood bows, Giuliani rosins, and prelude strings already installed. The violin comes pre-tuned and pre-assembled for use straight out of the case.

While the violin itself is made from handcrafted wood, it is priced in a way that will not bankrupt you. Both the body and neck are made from spruce and maple tonewoods, giving it a truly beautiful appearance.

Pros:

• All-in-one outfit with violin, rest, bow, rosin, and case
• The instrument produces a rich and warm sound pleasing to new players
• It is available with the free set-up so it can be tuned and played out of the case

Cons:

• Shoulder rest is a bit prone to breaking, depending upon the player’s firmness
• Straps and other accessories are not exactly durable, fast wear-and-tear, which is not usual for a value-priced instrument

Stentor 1401PK Harlequin:

Specs:

• Size: 1/2
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 27.6 x 15.8 x 25.2 inches
• String Material Type: Bronze
• Number of Strings: 4

“How can I make my child practice the violin more?” The answer is: Give him or her a violin in a cool color! This violin from Stentor comes in black, pink, blue, and purple.

The violin looks great and will make playing it less like a chore and more like something to look forward to after school. It’s the coolest instrument in the orchestra!

You get a lightweight gray case as well as a bow. Essentially, this is a 3/4 violin. It is good for kids who will upgrade to a full-size violin in a couple of years but would like to have some fun before investing in a violin that might not look as cool.

The violin is recommended for kids who hate practicing and need some encouragement, but if your youngster is ambitious and serious about music, you should probably look elsewhere for a better-sounding instrument. Every kid is different!

Pros:

• Available in black, pink, purple, and blue
• 3/4 violin
• Bow and case included
• Best Violin For Beginners

Cons:

• Squeaky sound
• No shoulder rest included

Mendini By Cecilio Violin For Beginners:

Specs:

• Size: 1/2
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 27 x 5 x 10 inches
• Top Material Type: Maple, Spruce, Ebony
• Back Material Type: Maple
• Instrument: Violin
• Weight: 4 Pounds
• Number of Strings: 4

Cecilio’s antique-style violin looks like it’s been passed down through generations of family members. It’s a popular beginner violin that many people use as their first instrument.

You’ll need to purchase a tuner separately since you need to tune it frequently. The instrument does come with a spare set of strings, as well as some other useful accessories.

Some of these violins only come with a soft case, which might not be the most appropriate choice if you travel often, but this model comes with a hard case, making it ideal for musicians on the move. At under 4lbs, it is a perfect weight and will be easy to carry.

Pros:

• 8 size options
• Wide range of accessories
• Impressive value for money
• High-quality construction

Cons:

• Hard to keep tuned
• No tuner included

FAQs Related To Best Violin For Beginners:

Q: How many hours should I practice violin?

Ans: For any musical instrument, the motto remains the same: practice, practice, and more practice. So if you seriously want to learn how to play the violin, then there is nothing stopping you from going crazy. But usually, you should practice for 2 to 3 hours with the violin on daily bases. Even 1 hour is enough if you do it daily. Just make sure that it doesn’t take over your life.

Q: Does a violin get better with age?

Ans: Interestingly enough, it does! The reason behind this is that any stringed instrument made of wood will become better with time. The aging wood will give the instrument a better and warmer sound, and it will also be somewhat more textured. And violin is no different. In the end, the quality of music depends on your skill. A good instrument just aids you in the endeavor.

You May Also Like: Best Drum Sets For Beginners