For any child who loves music, getting their hands on their first violin can be a life-altering experience. Training your child to play the violin provides immeasurable perks like developing their self-esteem, and confidence as well as more tangible skills like improving their coordination and dexterity.
But to provide a smooth learning experience, start them off on the right foot by getting them the best violins for kids. To help you out, we've provided a list of top-rated violins that are great for kids and youths as well as what you need to know when buying.
Reviews of the Best Violins for Kids
1. Cecilio CVN-300 Solidwood Ebony Fitted Violin
Cecilio is one of the most reputable brands of orchestral string instruments. So it’s not surprising that their CVN-300 is ranked the best violin for kids. Boasting a maple and spruce wood construction, this violin is not only beginner-friendly, it also looks the part.
It comes in a ½ size, which would work for 6 to 9-year-olds. However, it’s also available in 3/4 and 4/4 for older players.
As mentioned earlier, this violin has a pretty elegant look. The solid spruce top has an antique finish along with inlaid purfling to complement its look.
The other parts of this violin are just as magnificent. The fingerboard, tailpiece and pegged chin rest are all made of ebony, resulting in a classy design and optimal durability. This high-quality wood construction also results in a very rich sound.
The fact that the CVN-300 comes with everything a child needs to play the violin is an added bonus. Included in the package are 2 bows, a spare violin bridge, D'Addario Prelude strings, adjustable shoulder rest, a hard case, and a chromatic tuner with a metronome.
One other reason why we consider this the best violin for kids is that it includes a guidebook. With the Mendini Violin First Lesson book, your toddler can learn the fundamental techniques as well as how to read music.
Pros
Cons
Are you searching for the best beginner violins that will stand the test of time? If you are, check out the Cremona SV-175 Premier Student Violin Outfit. It’s been a top-selling student violin for nearly three decades, so you can be sure that it won’t disappoint.
Every element of this violin screams quality. For instance, you’ll find US-made Prelude strings, which are among the most recommended strings by violin teachers.
This violin also contains Swiss-style hardwood pegs and a quality lightweight composite tailpiece where four fine tuners attach to.
One thing that makes us consider this to be the best violin for kids is its durability. For starters, it has a solid spruce top and maple body. This is complemented nicely by the ebony fingerboard and fittings. Plus, each violin is individually hand-carved.
You will also love the range of accessories that come with the SV-175 Premier Student Violin Outfit. The first is a Travelite violin case that comes in an oblong shape to conform to your violin’s structure.
The best part is that the case has a built-in hygrometer to help you keep the humidity level in check. Finally, there’s a brazilwood bow to get you started.
Pros
Cons
Are you searching for a violin suitable for a very young child? If you are, the Sky Children’s Violin is exactly what you need.
This instrument comes in two sizes. The 1/10 that we’re reviewing here is the ideal size for kids aged 4 to 5 years. But if your toddler is at a very young age, there’s also a 1/16 size available.
The best violin for kids is one that also comes in a bright color; encouraging your little one to start playing. The Sky brand understands this, which is they offer this instrument in three color options: sky blue, bright pink, and the usual chocolate brown.
Another reason this is the best violin for kids is that it includes everything they need to get started. There’s a lightweight triangular violin case, which contains a waterproof canvas exterior. And with the shoulder straps provided, your munchkin will find it fairly easy to carry.
The manufacturer has also included one quality rosin and a Brazilwood bow that translates to a very warm tone.
Pros
Cons
For those not looking to spend a ton of money on a brand new violin, the Paititi ½ Size Artist is an excellent choice. It comes in at a very modest price, making it the best affordable violin for kids.
The best part is, that this inexpensive violin doesn’t compromise on any features. If anything, it’s one of the most well-equipped violins for younger players.
The wide range of accessories that you’ll find in the package includes a Brazilwood bow, shoulder rest, spare strings, rosin, and a spacious case to accommodate them all.
Yet another feature that makes this violin for kids stand out is the fact that it’s available in several sizes. The violin comes in 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, 1/16, 3/4, and full size. With so many options available, you’re guaranteed of finding one that suits your child.
If you’re not a DIY enthusiast, you’ll be pleased to learn that this instrument doesn’t require any assembly. It arrives ready to play straight out of the box.
The icing on the cake is the violin’s elegant look. The blend of a natural wood build and satin finish makes it look pretty stylish.
Pros
Cons
This is another musical instrument that’s often described as the best beginner violin for kids.
One thing that sets it apart is that it’s constructed using exquisite good quality materials. All the parts of this 1/2 violin are made solely from solid maple wood. So you’ll get a solid spruce top and a solid maple body. The only exception is the fittings, which are made of ebony.
The manufacturer is also quick to point out that this is a full hand carved violin. The embedded line, standard F-holes, and string interval are all thoughtfully hand carved by professional violin makers.
This musical instrument wouldn’t be a complete child violin if it didn’t have accessories. Fortunately, it does, saving you both time and money.
Included in the package are fine-tuning pegs, practice mute, shoulder rest, cleaning cloth, and extra alloy strings. DEBEIJIN has even included a finger guide to help your child learn accurate finger positioning.
Pros
Cons
Anytime you’re buying kids violins, it’s a risk to spend too much money. Thankfully, the Crescent 4/4 student violin is a very affordable model.
Despite the low price, it has an excellent selection of features. For instance, the top is made of spruce wood while the back and sides are made of maple. As we’ve seen from earlier violins, the combination of spruce and maple hits the sweet spot between durability and great sound.
The tailpiece is also well-built using alloy. This helps to improve the stability of the instrument. You will also find four smooth fine tuners, which are made of wood. The fact that the bridge and chin rest are also made of wood translates to a very attractive instrument.
The other violins for kids came with a dozen accessories. With the Crescent Starter kit, you’ll only get basic attachments, such as a horsehair bow, rosin, and carrying case. But for the price, this is not a surprise.
Pros
Cons
Wooden musical instruments look beautiful. But they aren’t always durable because of their susceptibility to humidity and temperature changes. If you’re looking for the best violin for beginners that lasts, a carbon fiber option like this one is a great choice.
The biggest portion of the Rising-V violin is made of carbon fiber. This not only improves its durability but also makes it easier to maintain. You won’t have to worry about repainting it or having to regulate the temperature or humidity levels in your music room.
In addition to this, the carbon fiber also enhances this instrument’s sound performance. It results in better sensitivity, frequency range, and tone purity.
That said, this kids violin is a tad more expensive than other options. But the value it offers significantly outweighs its cost.
In addition to its sturdy build, the violin includes a patented EVA shoulder rest. This improves the child’s comfort when they’re playing their instrument. Other elements incorporated into this violin are AAA-grade pegs and a composite sound post that minimizes sound loss.
The variety of accessories included in the package is exceptional. They include two violin bridges, premium-quality rosin, a clip-on tuner, ebony chin rest, and extra strings.
Pros
Cons
Is this your first time buying a violin for your child? If it is, you should take advantage of violin starter kits that come equipped with an array of accessories. One brand that takes this concept of attachments to a whole new level is IHDEWFY.
To put things into perspective, their ½ Violin for Kids includes two units of several accessories. Included in the package are two large rosins, two sets of strings, two bows, a tuner, and a shoulder rest. So if your child is a bit reckless and ends up breaking such items, you’ll still have spare ones to use.
Another reason why we regard this as the best violin for kids entails its build. It’s hand carved using professional-grade materials that give it a very classy look.
The violin comprises a vortex headstock and a body with gorgeous lines. Its wooden structure is painted with a high-end coating, further increasing its durability.
Is the 1/2 violin size too small for your budding violinist? No need to worry as it comes in two other sizes, specifically, 3/4 and 4/4.
The fact that this violin is easy to tune is another reason why we recommend it to beginners. It comes with tuning pegs, making the tuning process fairly easy. Better yet, these tuning pegs are made of ebony, which is immune to temperature and humidity changes.
Pros
Cons
The Mendini MV300 is among the most popular kid-friendly violins, and it’s easy to see why.
It prides itself on having a sleek design that comprises a hand-carved solid spruce top, maple sides, and back topped up with metallic varnish.
And unlike other violins that have an ebony fitting, the fingerboard on this one is made of maple; which further adds to its elegance. The tailpiece is made of alloy material, and it’s where the four fine tuners attach to.
It’s also crucial to mention that this violin is available in four different sizes. For younger players, the 1/2 and 1/4 will work well. But for older kids, consider the 3/4 or full-size models.
Aesthetics aside, the Mendini has a couple of other features that make it one of the best violins for kids. For starters, it has a ton of accessories to help your toddler get started.
These include 2 violin bridges, rosin, a bow, and an extra set of strings. The package also includes a sturdy hard case complete with pockets, and shoulder and backpack straps.
The fact that it comes with a lesson book is incredibly thoughtful. This helps your youngster learn fundamental principles such as how to read music.
Pros
Cons
Classical vs Electrical Violins for Kids
There’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to choosing between classical and electrical violins. So the decision boils down to the instrument that your child prefers to play.
If they prefer learning with an electric violin, then that’s precisely what you should go for. However, if they’re used to playing a classical violin, then opt for this instead.
Question is, what do you do if your child doesn’t have any specific preferences? In such cases, we find an electrical model to be the best kids violin.
This particular instrument is fitted with nylon strings. These are easier to play than the gut and steel strings used in classical violins. This allows your young violin players to practice playing for longer.
How to Choose the Best Violins for Kids
Anytime you’re buying a newly manufactured violin for a younger player, you’ll want to consider specific factors. This way, you’ll end up with an instrument that’s comfortable for them to use. The points that you should keep in mind are:
Materials
There’s no denying that kids can be a bit reckless. So when searching for the best violin, you’ll want to verify that the violin is made of premium-quality materials to boost its durability.
In that regard, a maple and spruce body is one of the most preferred combos for kids violins. Not only are they durable but they also facilitate the production of high sound quality.
In some instances, you’ll encounter violins made of mahogany or ebony. These offer a similar level of longevity but they lag behind when it comes to sound.
If you want the best violin that balances sound performance and durability, choose a spruce body with a fingerboard made of ebony or solid maple wood.
Child’s Age
Another thing that you’ll want to keep in mind is your child’s age. It’s a no-brainer that the older the child, the bigger the instrument should be. Based on this, here’s a chart to guide you on the right size of violin to get based on your child’s age:
Age Range | Size of Violin |
|---|---|
Less than 3 years | 1/32 |
2 to 4 years | 1/16 |
3 to 5 years | 1/8 |
4 to 6 years | 1/4 |
6 to 9 years |
1/2 |
8 to 12 years |
3/4 |
Teenagers and youths |
4/4 |
There are a couple of other sizes like 1/64. However, these are very tiny violins so they’re rarely available on the market. A violin of such a size is often designed as a toy rather than an actual instrument.
Based on the diagram above, you may have noticed that a particular size is suitable for more than one age range.
This is because age isn’t the only factor you should account for when choosing the instrument’s size. You’ll also want to examine your youngster’s physical size, and this brings us to our next point.
Size
As stated earlier, the best size of violin also depends on your child’s physical size. Buying a violin that’s either too big or too small for your child can cause them to lose interest in playing fast.
So how can you tell the right violin for your child? Well, most instructors recommend using the “yardstick approach.”
Put simply, this involves estimating the distance from under the chin to the middle of their palm. Once you have this length, you can use the following chart to know the perfect violin size:
Arm Length | Ideal Violin Size |
|---|---|
Less than 14" | 1/32 |
14" | 1/16 |
15" | 1/10 |
16.5" | 1/8 |
18" to 18.5" |
1/4 |
20" |
1/2 |
21.5" to 22" |
3/4 |
22" |
7/8 |
23" |
4/4 |
But before you rush to buy the first 1/10 scale violin you see based on a yardstick measurement, we recommend visiting a brick-and-mortar store. Here, you can ask your child to hold the size of the violin that you’re planning to buy and examine their posture and comfort.
Ideally, they should be able to hold the violin under their chin without feeling like it’s too bulky. They should also be capable of holding the end of the scroll with their fingers wrapped around the top. If they’re not able to achieve this, they won't have the proper violin posture and chances are that it’s not the right size for them.
Weight
Other than size, weight is another crucial metric you should account for to find a quality violin.
If you pick a violin that’s too heavy, your little learner will get fatigued before they can even finish their practice sessions. Ultimately, your child might lose interest in learning to play.
However, you don’t want to go too light either. A very light violin won’t generate rich tones. Worse even, your child might start treating it like a toy. To avoid this, look for a violin of medium weight.
Color
Even though the color isn’t the most crucial factor in your decision-making process, it’s one that’s worth considering.
When it comes to young kids, the look of an instrument can play a big role in how they feel about it. For instance, if the violin comes in a bright blue or pink color, your toddler may be more interested in learning how to play it.
Similarly, buying them a violin that’s the same color as those of their band friends can further motivate them to play. So keep this factor in mind when examining the violin’s design.
Bow
If this is your child’s first violin, there’s a good chance that they don’t have a violin bow either. Rather than buy it separately, you can save yourself time and energy by looking for a violin that comes with its own bow.
The benefit of this is that you’re assured that the bow is compatible with the violin, and the right size for a younger player.
Still, it’s good to check the quality of the bow, especially the material. The best violin bows are usually carbon fiber as this tends to be more durable than their wooden counterparts. However, a wooden bow matches better with your violin- an aspect you may want to consider if you’re keen on design.
When examining the bow, check whether it comes with rosin as well. Remember, you have to rub some rosin on the bow’s horsehair so that it can produce sound.
Warranty
In a perfect world, you’d buy a violin that doesn’t have any faults. Your child would then continue to use the instrument for years to come.
Unfortunately, our world is far from perfect. And sometimes, the violin may arrive with some of its parts missing, broken, or made of flimsy materials.
To protect your investment, be sure to buy from brands that offer warranty against manufacturer’s defects. This gives you the right to return the violin and get a refund or replacement in case of any faults.
Learning Kits
For youth players who are fully committed to playing the violin, a well-equipped learning kit is a worthy buy. The kit includes additional items- such as books, guides, and accessories- that will be useful to young beginners.
The good thing about learning kits is that they save you both time and money. It saves you from having to look for each item individually.
A bonus advantage of investing in an all-in-one learning kit is that it minimizes the risk of buying incompatible accessories.
For instance, you can’t choose just any case to fit a child's violin. It should be of the right size, shape and have ample padding to protect your precious instrument. If you buy such an accessory off the rack, it may end up being too small for the violin you own.
But if you invest in a well-stocked kit with a case, then you’re sure that the case included fits the instrument perfectly.
Accessories Needed
You’re thrilled to bits that your youngster wants to start learning the violin. In fact, you’ve already set your eyes on a good violin and bow. But, before you pay for their violin lessons, there are a few other things that your child needs.
Here’s a list of the most crucial accessories that a learner needs to start playing the violin:
Case
If there’s one accessory that you shouldn’t skimp on, it’s a violin case. Anytime that they’re not playing their violin, they can keep it securely stored in this case. This helps to minimize the risk of damage.
Shoulder Rest
Just because you don’t use a violin shoulder rest doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get your child one. This accessory plays a crucial role, especially when it comes to propping up the instrument on a child’s shoulder. It also prevents the violin from slipping. Ensure you get an adjustable shoulder rest so you can customize its size and placement for your child.
Chin Rest
Not to be confused with the shoulder rest, a chin rest is typically made of wood or plastic. It’s meant to be attached to your violin whereby helps you position your chin more comfortably on the violin. Be sure to get your child the best violin chin rest for ultimate comfort if the violin doesn't come with one.
Music Stand
Unless your young violinist has a bit of experience multi-tasking when they’re playing their instrument, a music stand will really come in handy. This element will provide a nice platform where they can place their sheet music.
Tuner
This is another must-have accessory for a youth violin. As its name suggests, it helps a player know when they’re in tune or out of tune. The best violin tuners will guide them on how to adjust the tension of the violin strings so they can achieve the correct pitch.
Brands
Finding the best kids violins is no mean feat, especially when you don’t have a ton of knowledge or experience with these musical instruments.
One thing that can help is buying from reputable brands. This way, you’re certain of getting help if you encounter any issues down the road. To help you out, here’s a list of the most trusted violin brands:
Budget
As a guardian or parent, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying a new violin for your little one. Due to this, some end up spending thousands of dollars on the new instrument.
The problem with this is that it may end up being an unworthy investment. Young players are very picky, and they may even decide that the violin is not the ideal instrument for them. To avoid incurring a massive loss, consider keeping things simple.
Look for a youth-friendly violin that checks all the important boxes. By this, we mean that it should be the right size, durable, have the most essential accessories, and fits your budget.
Once your child has gotten the hang of it and is serious about progressing their skills, you can look for an upgrade. But if they’re still testing the waters, then a more affordable violin is your safest bet.
FAQs
Which violin is best for kids?
For an instrument to be ranked as the best violin for kids, it should possess several features. One of the most important traits is that it should be of the right size. This means it should be designed for your child’s age as well as physical size. This makes it comfortable to hold, and subsequently easier to play.
If we had to narrow it down and pick just one, it would be the Cecilio CVN-300
Which violins are best for beginners?
A quality violin for a beginner is one that’s made of sturdy materials and has several accessories to enhance the player’s learning experience. Examples of attachments that you’ll often find in a student violin include rosin, bows, spare strings, chin rest, and shoulder rest.
What is a good size violin for a 10-year-old?
The best kids violin for a 10-year-old will likely be the 1/2 scale. However, this is not a fixed size as it may vary depending on your child’s arm length. If you aren’t too sure of what size to get, consult a violin teacher or expert to guide you.
At what age should a child start violin?
As soon as your child gets to the pre-school age, which is typically between 4 and 5 years old, they can start learning how to play the violin. Violins come in a wide range of sizes, including very tiny ones. So it won’t be difficult getting one that suits your kid’s arm length and height.
Should my kid take private violin lessons?
Yes, you should. Although it's not a must, we highly recommend it. Hiring a private instructor to teach your child has many perks. With a private lesson, your child gets undivided attention from their teacher. This then allows them to learn faster and more efficiently.
Conclusion
There are dozens of violins on the market, but not each one is ideal for a child. A good student violin is one that’s correctly sized and has extra features to foster their learning experience.
One of the best violins for kids is the Cecilio CVN-300. It comes in three sizes, giving you the freedom to pick one that your child will feel comfortable holding and playing.
It has a classy and durable design. This is achieved by using spruce for the top and maple wood for the back and sides. This is nicely complemented by an antique finish and inlaid purfling. Plus, the violin is shipped as a complete learning kit containing extras like Prelude strings, a spare bridge, 2 bows, shoulder rest, rosin, tuner, and case.
