My 9 yo daughter is starting violin this week with Boulder Suzuki Strings. she'll use a loaner for the first couple weeks until I decide what to buy or rent. In some ways, I'm of the school of thought that says the child needs to continue to play a musical instrument since I have never met anyone who regrets it. Her teacher, though, suggests renting since kids do quit, or damage the instruments.
I know very little about violins, having played the flute myself, so I read up a little here on what you all said makes for a good instrument. I looked on ebay at those "cheap ebay" violins people have suggested I avoid- there certainly are some inexpenisve violins out there sold by Mendini and Great-tunes but they claim they have "your" criteria (but make me suspicious since the "buy it now" is $50 but they say retail is $400) , and the ones that ViolinsLover.COM Store sells look pretty decent, according to the criteria set out here, but then < http://www.opentip.com/musical_instruments.html > looks pretty good too...

then I also think of the first flute I owned- not a very good one and I didnt' play it well, but that had more to do with the fact that I was a slacker as a kid- I played it well enough, considering, but oh, did I appreciate my good quality flute when I got it. My daughter will outgrow this violin and if I can save half the cost of renting in
the year or so she has it, well, it isn't a bad deal, I suppose. so- will I hate something I get off ebay? I'll certainly understand if no one wants to talk about their cheap deal from there online, so feel free to mail me about it. :-)

Erica

quote:

Originally posted by liuzi0512:
oh, did I appreciate my good quality flute when I got it.
Erica

Well, Erica, there you have it. I am a pianist and know nothing about violins, but there is a universal truth here. Many years ago, when in a rock band, I read a piece by a top drummer (I cannot remember who it was now) answering a query in the 'question & answer' forum of a magazine which I used to buy.

Basically the reader was asking about whether he should buy a cheap kit and spend more in the future when he had more money, and would be a better player by then. The drummer answered by saying something along the lines of, "No! Beg, borrow steal or con the most money you can possibly lay your hands on, and buy the very best which you can get hold of." [and here is the nugget] "That way your instrument is bigger and better than you are, and you will learn to grow into it and gradually fill its space. Buy something only just a bit better than you are and in six months you will be resenting it. With quality drums and cymbals, every time you strike them you will be delighted by the result, and will develop discerning ears and will learn how to control a wealth of subtle sounds. Buy second best and you will never even know that those sounds exist."

Now it is all very well for me to spend other people's money for them (I am brilliant at that!) but you did ask. Whether stealing the money is morally justified is a questionable action, but on a serious note, spending as much as you can afford is not. 45 years ago, when at school, I remember a friend of mine taking a piano exam. Afterwards he could not wait to tell me, "The piano was a Bechstein!!! It was gorgeous!!!" He said that it sounded like bells, and felt like velvet. Now think how much more practising he would have done had he had it in his home.

Of course, buying your daughter an Amati will not guarantee that she will practise, but it will ensure that if she does not do so then it was because she was never really going to.
This site looks as if it may be worth a read!

Good luck, and let us know what you decide. Cheers, Ritz (x)

quote:

Originally posted by liuzi0512:
My 9 yo daughter is starting violin this week with Boulder Suzuki Strings. Her teacher, though, suggests renting since kids do quit, or damage the instruments.


Erica

Hi Erica:
Since your child is only 9 years old you have no real idea how long she will stick to anything.

She may want to be a rocket scientist next week and go to the moon.That's how 9 year olds are.


I'd be inclined to follow the advice of the teacher,use the loaner as long as you can and then rent the instrument for as short a term as you can get it.

You may want to rent a somewhat better instrument than the very cheapest,but you have no real idea how long the child will remain interested in playing.


I would sit down with your daughter and tell her that she can only take lessons for as long as she continues to practice.

And when she stops practicing you will stop the lessons.That way the owness is up to her.


If she does not pick up the instrument unless you make her practice,you're wasting your hard earned money.


But if she continues to play and practice when she doesn't have to,that's the time to consider getting her a better instrument.
Buying an expensive instrument for a 9 year old can be a long term investment.

Good luck with the choice you make.

hippolips