Violin and Viola Sizing & Instrument Sizes Charts

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"What size violin should I buy?"

"Can my ten-year-old play a full size (4/4) violin?"

"How do I size my child for a violin?"

"Does a small adult play a full size violin or a 7/8?"

"What size bow should I use with my viola?"

Professional violin and viola teacher Rhiannon Schmitt of Fiddleheads Violins has compiled the following charts to assist violinists, violists and fiddlers in selecting the correct sized instrument for themselves or their children.

Please refer to the information below the chart for further expert advice.

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Fiddleheads Violins Free Violin Sizing & Violin Sizes Chart

* Approximate sizing. Note that 1 inch = 2.54 cm
We carry most instruments available in all sizes, even 7/8! Contact us for special size requests

NEW: VIOLA Sizing Chart

* Approximate sizing. Note that 1 inch = 2.54 cm
We carry many instruments available in all sizes, even 7/8! Contact us for special size requests

1. Age of Player

Some children are exceptions to the rule, but this chart provides a general age range for these instruments.

As a teacher I have worked with 10-year-olds who played full size violins. The most important thing in deciding the correct size is that the student can comfortably play the instrument in tune. Fourth finger, or pinky, reach and intonation (can it be played in tune?) may be the deciding factor.

Rory, the lovely Fiddleheads student pictured at the left at age 12, played a full size starting on her 10th birthday! It looked a bit big, but she could play it in tune and truly appreciated the bigger sound the full size produced. She grew into it over the summer and her parents were glad they didn't buy a 3/4 or else she would have outgrown it in a few months. A

All adults use a full size violin, with the exception of very small adults and some teens who are more the size of a child. These players will sometimes play a 3/4, though they will get a better sound from a 7/8 size violin.

The advantage to a 7/8 is a big sound with a smaller scale for playability. 7/8 size violins are more difficult to locate used, however most of our new violins are available in 7/8 size [such as Sun and Zhu violins] and we can also have a violin custom made for you. Contact us for more info

2. Player's Arm Length

To accurately discern which size is correct for the player, run a measuring tape from the left side of the player's neck to palm of their outstretched left arm and second time from the neck to the wrist. (The arm must not be bent at the elbow and is at a right angle to the body. Palm faces up at the ceiling)

Violists: measure from neck to palm at the base of the fingers, not the wrist. Violas are sized large.

Check the measurements on the violin chart above:

PALM: The neck to palm measurement indicates the largest size that would be appropriate. Only go larger than this size if the child is growing rather quickly and if you are certain the teacher will not object to the large violin.

WRIST: The neck to wrist measurement provides a comfortable size. Suzuki teachers in particular are trained to teach players on a violin fitting this way (not too large).

As stated in point 1, the most important thing in playing a large-ish instrument is that the player can comfortably play in tune. (again, 4th finger intonation may be the deciding factor).

Please note that even left-handed players play a regular, right-handed violin. Lefties need not worry they can't play the violin! I have taught many lefties and they play the same as everyone else.

Even simpler

Photos coming soon

If you have the violin you are trying to size with the young student you can simply check it against the player's arm. Have the student hold the violin up on the left shoulder (see photos, coming soon) and extending out 45 degrees from their side (not in the front, not to the side.)

Next, ask the player to reach from under the violin to the scroll (curly end) of the violin with their outstretched left hand, curving the fingers around the scroll from below. If the left elbow is slightly bent and comfortable the violin is the proper size. If the elbow is straight and/or the player cannot reach the scroll the instrument is too large.

Finally, if the elbow is bent at a smaller than 90 degree angle and appears very easy to reach the violin may be too small.

For more help on sizing please take your measurements and contact us for advice. We would be happy to earn your trust and business.

3. Violin or Viola Size

Violins are either "full size" or "fractional. Adults, teens and children age 10-12 play full size. Children play 3/4 and smaller violins depending on their size. The bow used matches the size of the instrument. For example, a 3/4 violin is paired with a 3/4 size violin bow.

*Note that Violas are not sized like violins in fractions, rather they are measured by the length of their bodies in inches. For example, a typical sized viola for a student age 12 has a body 15.5" in length and the same sizing rules do not apply as violas are expected to fit a bit big.

**Viola bows are only available in "full" size. Violists seeking fractional sized bows simply use a violin bow. For example, a 14" viola player would use a 4/4 violin bow, a 13" viola player would use a 3/4 size violin bow.

4. Violin Measurements (Length- Body/Total)

These measurements vary from maker to maker by as much as 3/4". If you are unsure which sized instrument you have, carefully take two measurements with a tape or string. Violas only require one measurement; the body (measurement #2).

1. Measure first the violin the length of the violin from the top of the scroll to the bottom (excluding the end pin at the bottom).

2. Next measure the body from the "shoulders" of the violin to the bottom. Do not include the jutting-out section at the base of the violin's neck in your measurements.

*Note that the width of the violin (measuring the upper or lower "bout") varies widely from maker to maker or style to style. Instruments made in the style of Guarneri tend to have wider lower bouts than Strad models, and thus a bigger volume and depth of tone.

Oversized Violins: Some Suggestions

So your child is growing like a weed and is too big for the 1/4 violin you purchased last year. Should you buy a 1/2 size violin, which would fit now but may be too small in 6 months? Or should you skip to a 3/4 and let him grow into it?

As a teacher I encounter this dilemma frequently and make the decision to skip a size on a case by case basis.

Choosing to use a larger violin can be a wise choice if the student is growing rapidly and if you are paying a bit more to have a better quality, larger violin rather than buying an intermediate violin and replacing it soon after. Rather than buying two cheaper violins one after another, the larger violin would be used longer, thus it would make sense to invest a bit more money into it.

In my time teaching I have had many students skip a size and only once was it not a wise choice. The 10-year-old girl's family had a good line on a nice 3/4 violin, but it was an inch or so too large. Taking her age into consideration, as well as the quality of the instrument in question, we thought it best for her to take the jump. Strangely though the small, young girl did not grow at all for three years!

Now, at 15 years old, the violin fits her perfectly, though most people at this age are in a 4/4. She was just destined to be petite. We realise the jump was not appropriate for her; but how do you know the child will stop growing?

Thankfully the girl's mother and I laugh at the situation now and all worry is gone: She plays wonderfullly. If anything, the student really learned to stretch for her 4th finger notes and has excellent intonation!

The important thing here is that the student is able to or very close to playing the 4th finger. If they can reach this fingering the violin will be usable.

For children skipping a size and playing a slightly large violin you should carefully consider playing a lighter weight violin over a heavy one. Heavier or bulkier violins can be harder to hold up, overextended for long periods of time causing the student to not want to practice for long. A student who has quit never saves the parents money on the violin purchase!

Another suggestion here is to use a shoulder rest to aid in holding a violin which is too large and needs more support.

5. Bows

Details coming as time permits: (and with a toddler in the house, it may be a while! Send your questions on to us in the meantime: Email

Feedback

Thanks for explaining the difference with violin sizes; Thanks for enlightening me; sounds like you do a wonderful service and helping violin players; am glad you do this.

- Bev, Kelowna, BC

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Please feel free to contact Fiddleheads Violins with any questions you may have regarding sizing or to inquire on any of our instruments for sale.

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