So daughter #1 comes to use today and announces she wants to learn to plany the violin. Before I go and buy/rent a violin, I want to do some research.

Anybody here have any experience with violins and kids? Where did you get yours? What brands are good, what brands are crap? What stores should I avoid at all cost? Anybody have one gathering dust they want to unload?

Nope. Still have my old trumpet.

So daughter #1 comes to use today and announces she wants to learn to plany the violin. Before I go and buy/rent a violin, I want to do some research.

Anybody here have any experience with violins and kids? Where did you get yours? What brands are good, what brands are crap? What stores should I avoid at all cost? Anybody have one gathering dust they want to unload?

You need to find out what size she needs first. Go to a music store (I'm partial to Nanbos) and get her sized. Truly, as far as I'm concerned I don't see much difference between rentals. I think I have a half size I'd be willing to part with at nominal cost.

When I called around most places were pretty close in cost for rentals. Island Music in LaPlata offered a rent-to-buy that the other places didn't mention. She definitely needs to be there to get the correct size. Don't buy one of those cheap ones off ebay, they'll never stay tuned or possibly can't be tuned at all.

As far as quality is concerned, I would wait until at least high school to even think about investing in a good SOUNDING violin. For the first few years you just learn to play the notes in tune. Tone and whatnot comes later, so that's when I would look at buying a quality violin that suits your playing style.

I played violin as a kid. we rented until I got to a full size (middle school) and then bought it. Worked better that way. if she needs a full size its probably more cost effective to buy. A nice one will run you, but the upkeep isn't bad. strings are fairly affordable and need replacing often, bows aren't too bad either and I only had to replace mine once in a couple years. there are violins on here, craigs list, and ebay fairly often. Personally I wouldn't go buy her an expensive one, a fairly cheap off the assembly line one will do..chances are it won't last long and if it does, a nicer one will be a nice gift down the line.

I think I have a full size somewhere that needs a new bow I might be able to dig up..I'll have to look around I can't remember what I did with it..:killingme

I can't help much with where to get one (Ralon was in business when my daughter first took up the violin and remained so throughout her earlier 'career'..) but the child's instructor should have all the information you would ever need to go get fitted and rent one. And trust me..it will be years before you want to spend the real coin and actually purchase a high quality instrument; rent/swap if at all possible. If I recall correctly, the $$ violin my daughter still has now and plays semi-professionally was number 5 or 6 along the way.

We found our sons violin and teacher in Leonardtown. The best deal for a handmade violins in the county, try BellaMusic in Leonardtown, they use Perrin Violins in Baltimore, and rentals are about the same price as the locals. Better product for the money~ just my two cents. :whistle:

My daughter started playing in 2nd or 3rd grade. She only played for a year and a half and decided it was too hard. I rented a violin for about $25/mon. It was a place by the old Early Bird location. That was 6-7 yrs ago so I do not know if they are still there or not. I knew my daughter was not going to play long term so that is why I rented.