Buying for a Beginner?
Open Monday - Wednesday, Noon - 6; Thursday - Saturday, 10 - 6. High Strung Violins & Guitars 1116 Broad Street Durham NC 27704 (919) 286-3801 |
Does this sound familiar?
"I don't know if they are going to stick with it, so I'm
just getting them something basic."
Here, the parent usually means "cheap". One way to ensure your child won't
stick with it is to buy or rent an instrument that is difficult to play and keep
in tune. That's what cheap instruments are.
To set up an instrument for proper play takes time, and to build a proper instrument
takes time. You pay for time. If you are buying a violin for under $100, I would bet
you it is neither set up properly nor built properly. It won't stay in tune. It won't finger
properly. It's sounds horrible.
If you were starting a new sport, say tennis, would you want a racquet with strings
that wouldn't stay taut or a head that transferred all the force of the volley into your
wrist? Starting the violin is no different.
No, you don't need to buy a $2000 violin for a beginning violinist. But if you
want to give your child a fighting chance at the instrument, then get something
that's *playable* and sounds half-way decent. Most internet instruments DO
NOT FIT THE BILL.
The other way to ensure your child won't stick with the instrument? Let
them hear you say things like "I don't know if they are going to stick with it." Learning
an instrument is technically difficult and emotionally stressful at times.
"I don't know if they are going to stick with it, so I'm
just getting them something basic."
Here, the parent usually means "cheap". One way to ensure your child won't
stick with it is to buy or rent an instrument that is difficult to play and keep
in tune. That's what cheap instruments are.
To set up an instrument for proper play takes time, and to build a proper instrument
takes time. You pay for time. If you are buying a violin for under $100, I would bet
you it is neither set up properly nor built properly. It won't stay in tune. It won't finger
properly. It's sounds horrible.
If you were starting a new sport, say tennis, would you want a racquet with strings
that wouldn't stay taut or a head that transferred all the force of the volley into your
wrist? Starting the violin is no different.
No, you don't need to buy a $2000 violin for a beginning violinist. But if you
want to give your child a fighting chance at the instrument, then get something
that's *playable* and sounds half-way decent. Most internet instruments DO
NOT FIT THE BILL.
The other way to ensure your child won't stick with the instrument? Let
them hear you say things like "I don't know if they are going to stick with it." Learning
an instrument is technically difficult and emotionally stressful at times.
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