Buying your very first violin? Don t make the exact same errors most novices do. In this video, I describe what really matters, what to avoid, and how to get a setup that doesn t sabotage your progress.
Desire a structured path to success?
My 1 30 Violin Course takes you step by action from complete newbie to positive intermediate so you constantly understand exactly what to practice next.
Start with 10 FREE full-length lessons
No demos, no gimmicks simply real development.
All products included (other than the violin, naturally).
Created for grownups who want clearness and structure.
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Open the START HERE PDF to access your lessons.
Click the blue-highlighted video links to follow along.
Download the resources for each lesson.
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After Lesson 10, continue through the full course utilizing:
Tune Book 1 Tutorial Book 2 Tune Book 2 Tutorial Book 3 Tune Book 3
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I bought a new Stentor Student 2, largely because your older videos recommended it. I’ve changed the strings for a set of Alphayue and bought some Dominant rosin. I don’t know enough about violins to recommend this combination but I can say that I don’t seem to be fighting the instrument and the set-up is better than I am so I’m pleased with the choice. Thank you for your course, I am working slowly through it. I mix it up with some folk tunes which I enjoy and find easier than the classical but I can see why you set the pieces that you do.
Yes, its such a good violin to start with. When you are due to replace those strings, get yourself some Pirastro Tonicas as they will be brighter with more projection.
Hi, Alison. I bought my first violin in 2020, a Bunnel pupil. I played for about 3 weeks and due to COVID and life, I had to put it down. I picked it back up last Tuesday because I really love the violin and I now feel it is time to continue learning. A lot of the muscle memory came back. I bought your 1-30 lessons when I started 5 years ago, and I was able to find them in my account on your website. I printed them out and put them in binders, and have been practicing everyday. I average about 1 hour a day and usually play twice a day. In one week, I was able to complete lessons 1-10 and am now working on song book 1. I am able to play Gypsy Firelight decently and the first two songs in the song book 1. I am practicing Gypsy Firelight each day because I want to get to the point where I can play the crazy fast version.
I noticed that my g string sounds a bit flat or muffled even though it is tuned properly and the strings are new as I just got them replaced. So, I watched my left hand and I noticed that when I was playing the g string, my hand was cupping the neck of the violin and I was playing with the pads of my fingers instead of the fingertips. So, I watched your video again about left hand pain and I adjusted my thumb to be a little lower. I have to curl my fingers more, but I noticed that my g string sounds in tune and resonates beautifully now.
Thank you so much for your videos, your patreon, and your 1-30 lessons. I look forward to watching more of your videos.
As a beginner i bought the Stentor Graduate and i am so happy 😍🥰❤️
The very first violin I ordered, I got everything wrong. I was in a concert with my grandmother, thought: Violins sound so pretty. I sure would love to have one. But they are so expensive.
I at that point only learned to play the ukulele. I got a very cheap one off Amazon and loved it.
So I thought, right, let’s look what’s online.
On amazon they had a 3/4 violin for 35€. Bargain! I thought 3/4 was perfect for me because I travel a lot. So the violin would be more portable, right?!
I got a VSO in the mail and the first thing I had to learn was how to set up a bridge because the instrument was not strung.
Then tuning took me about 3 days. Not off to a good start.
I got a sticker to stick onto the finger board with where the right notes are.
Then I tried playing my first note. But there was no sound.
There was no rosin on the bow.
When I finally got to playing, I had a horrible sound. But I was told, beginner violinists would sound horrible. So I expected it.
I got a decent twinkle twinkle little star.
But by then I did enough research to figure out that I was doing this all wrong. playing on a too small violin would teach me the wrong finger spacing.
I did some research on youtube and found some violin teachers and Luthiers with helpful hints on what to look out for when buying a violin. So I went to a big music shop and tried several Instruments. There I found my first real student violin for about 400€. I liked the sound. it was so much better than the VSO. I also found a teacher who really helped me. Now I have been taking weekly lessons for 7 years and still love it. I got myself a 2000€ violin and a 700€ bow. More then I have ever spend on any luxury good. But it was worth every cent. I love my violin and intend to use it for many years.
Thank you so much
Thank you for taking your time in order to help all of us enjoy playing the violin.❤
I personally bought two Violins from Royce Burt violins on YouTube. For the price some of the best violins you can buy.
I wish I knew this before I got mine. It’s in the $200.00 range. It’s okay, but it would have been nice to have gotten one with a better setup. Thanks.
Thank you!!
What are your views on electric/acoustic violins/violas with 5 strings?
I dont own a 5 string, but its good if you play the viola and want to play lower music.
I first rented a $300 instrument from a local music store and within a couple of days I was certain of two things. 1) I really wanted to learn to play and 2) I was not likely to stick with it with that instrument. When I started looking into violins I found that, for me anyway, the carbon fiber instruments seemed to have a bit more ‘bang for your buck’ at the beginner-intermediate level. Plus, carbon fiber is basically indifferent to changes in heat and humidity and that seemed like a really nice bonus for the area I live in where it can be winter-spring-summer-fall-winter all in one day. I didn’t really want a full electric instrument, I figured that learning to play on an acoustic instrument would be complicated enough, but the idea of having the flexibility of an amp to boost the sound intrigued me, so I went with a Glasser AEX acoustic-electric violin from Fiddler Shop and I am really glad I did. It’s a little bit heavier than a wooden instrument but since this is, for all intents and purposes, the only violin I have played I don’t even notice the weight. Oh, and they come in nine different colours, how’s that for cool? I highly recommend Fiddler Shop as well.
Does the carbon fiber instrument sound exactly like a wooden instrument? No. Do I like the sound? Yes. Was it the best choice for me at the time? Also; yes. I look forward to years of playing this instrument.
Agreed w everything you’ve said. what’s your opinion on the £500 stentor messina violin? Great video!
Ive not tried it, but from the Stentors i have, i cant imagine it would be a let down.
@TheOnlineViolinTutor thank you!
It’s great to see you
I have a stentor.. I’m
Just starting and it seems to sound ok. Not too scratchy. Is this a good make?
Yes
Thank you
Hi
Thanks for your videos
What do you think of Stentor student 2 for my first violin?
Yes – its a great choice to start with. Replace the strings it comes with, with some Pirastro Tonicas, and you can thank me later 🙂
Hi Allison – I have two violins, made in China, of which I purchased new ten years ago; and I play them both weekly for several hours. One I paid only $30 and the other I upgraded to a $75 violin; and they both play well to my satisfaction. Surprisingly, they both stay in tune. Although, I must admit, they sound much better when played with a violin mute. The mute gives the original steel strings a soft, velvety, nonmetallic sound. 🎻🎶
Yes very true I do feel for people who cant afford to buy a decent instrument what ever it may be. Always a pleasure to listen to you.
I love your videos so much.I want to start with Kennedy violins
can you recommend any good violin makes in the uk please
Stentor is a good one
@TheOnlineViolinTutorthanks allot