Choosing and buying a fiddle

A few thoughts for beginners

Step 1: Where to buy

If you have a teacher, he/she will probably tell you what to do.

But even if your teacher instructs you, you will need to find a cheerful music shop that you trust. You are NOT looking for a shop full of electric guitars here: they need to have at least some expertise with stringed instruments. They needn't be slap next door, but you should be able to reach them relatively easily.

You are going to need strings, sheet music, stands, repairs (or at least setup), bow rehairs, and so forth. OK, you won't need these things every week, but this will be an ongoing relationship. So find a suitable retailer and get to know them.

Then go there, tell them how much you want to spend, and ask their advice. They know that if they make you happy, you'll be back for all the things I listed above - and in a few years, a better violin. And a few years later an even better one. And a new bow. And....

It's in their interest to satisfy you, and they know more about what student instruments are available than you or I ever will.

Comments

[strmrnnr]

To get a plug in here for an excellent World class Instrument maker I choose Raymond Schryer, from the District of Algoma, Ontario, Canada.

He is from a family of awesome fiddlers and now that he has grown builds World Class instruments. Home town boy done good.

http://www.violincello.com/homepage.spml

[dchall8]

This is good stuff. The only part I disagree with is your middle image in step 1. I recently bought a bass fiddle and a bass guitar. The shop owner is a luthier who works alone and builds violins and mandolins. He makes about a dozen violins and half dozen mandolins per year. His shop looks like that step 1 middle picture because the guitars pay his rent while he's working on the special instruments.

[LDW]

Yeah, you're probably right: I was being a bit too jokey. Like you, I play guitar and violin, so there's no anti-guitar prejudice at work! Anyway, the point is that a beginner needs someone who knows about string instruments: if they also sell guitars that's fine of course - and if like your guy, they actually make the things, then fantastic. Glad you liked it otherwise.