Country Girl Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 My 5yo dd has been asking to play the violin for some time now and we are seriously considering letting her start. However, we will be moving oversees and not sure if we will be able to find a teacher for her. So I was wondering if anyone has ever used a DVD or online course to get their little ones started on the violin. Also, any recommendations on where to buy the violin or if there are certain brands I should be looking for? Finally, what size for a 5yo.... 1/8 or 1/4? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeanne in MN Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 My 5yo dd has been asking to play the violin for some time now and we are seriously considering letting her start. However, we will be moving oversees and not sure if we will be able to find a teacher for her. So I was wondering if anyone has ever used a DVD or online course to get their little ones started on the violin. Also, any recommendations on where to buy the violin or if there are certain brands I should be looking for? Finally, what size for a 5yo.... 1/8 or 1/4? Thanks! The first piece of advice you'll probably get is to go to a music store and rent a violin first. See if your child wants to continue before investing in a violin. We started with a self study book-can't remember the name but it had a raccoon on the front. It is sold with violins at homeschool conferences and had rave reviews at their website. However, even with you tube videos it's been really nice having a violin instructor. He can catch things I can't or can tell my son if his notes are flat and how to adjust his fingers so sound good again. His music knowledge is indispensable. The following is the book we are using now with an instructor. It has a dvd (haven't watched it) and a cd with music for each exercise to play with. It helps us know he's in key and it's wonderful fun to play with other musicians! http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Elements-2000-Strings-Plus/dp/0634038176/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1299131622&sr=8-2 Here's a link to a thread I started when asking about where to buy a violin. Below this is what we got and where. http://welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222568 This is the violin we got. Fantastic price, free shipping, fantastic sound-after we got it tuned up and broke the bow in over a few weeks. It sounds wonderful and we are very pleased-as is our violin instructor.http://www.wwbw.com/Florea-Persoana-Violin-Outfit-472335-i1413172.wwbw?mode=1&qso=2 As for size-do a search for how to size a violin and you can figure it out easy enough. A music store can size your child too. Good luck! I love the sound of the violin and have started playing it myself now. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Country Girl Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 Thanks Jeanne! I checked out the link where you asked for buying advice and the instrument you end up purchasing. It looks like the Woodwinds and Brasswinds store has some pretty good pricing. Is the book you mentioned starting with the Violin Book series? http://www.rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?sid=1299165889-557573&subject=17&category=5748 I have to admit, I'm very excited that my dd wants to learn. I too love the sound of the violin and have considered trying to learn. I keep "suggesting" to my two older boys that they shoud give this instrument a try but they've never been interested.:glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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