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Advice
Every single day Willa says “I want to play the violin!” Every day.
We say “what about the piano, or the guitar?” and she says “NO! The violin!”
She loves music. The husband is a classically trained guitarist and bass player. His father is a folk singer. When I was pregnant the husband used to play guitar next to my belly. When Willa was about six months old we put a guitar on the floor and let her experiment with it. She often plays with guitars or pianos, but still asks to play a violin. When we listen to classical music she says “I hear violin!”
Willa has music in her blood.
We never wanted to be those parents who forced their kid to take music lessons, but it’s what Willa wants. So, we’ve come to the conclusion that we should get Willa a violin.
The question is, should we buy one or rent one?
I’d love to hear about your experiences with your children taking music lessons.
Shana
February 23, 2010
9:00 am
My younger sister started piano at age 3, and then picked up the violin around 3rd grade. The method she learned with was Suzuki. To this day her ear (for pitch) is incredibly near perfect since Suzuki trains using sound first, and then teaches to read music later. Why did she start playing piano so young? She asked to; she pretty much demanded it like Willa’s demanding to play the violin. Nearly 30 years later she’s still playing piano, now as a hobby because it still brings her joy.
The important thing to remember about violin is that Willa will grow, and the size of violin she needs will change. Right now she’ll probably need a really small size, like 1/4, a 1/8 or even smaller. I would think that most programs (including Suzuki) for young children would have some sort of long term rental program where she could exchange for a the next size violin as she grew or would at least have good advice about your options. Those small size violins are generally made for kids, and not something you want to invest good money anyway as they’re not designed for sound, but rather survival.
If Willa wants to play, encourage it. Like my sister, I asked to play music, although I started around 4th grade. Specifically I play(ed) the flute. And because it was my choice, it brought me great joy and I played (and took lessons) all through college. It was a huge gift my parents gave me and my sister, the having music in our lives and allowing it to be our choice.
Abbykins
February 23, 2010
10:24 am
I started playing the violin when I was in 4th grade and even then I think I went through 3 until I was finally at a Full Size when I was a sophomore in High School…. I would ABSOLUTELY rent one to begin with and pretty much any music store should have a rental program and it’s pretty inexpensive. Once she is ready, definitely buy her one – sometimes you can rent to own as well which is nice. I still have mine even though I don’t play, and it’s a treasure to me. I hope someday my Elliette will want to pick it up and play! I will also say – the ear you develop from playing a string instrument like the violin, is truly a gift!
She sounds like one amazing little lady….
Melissa
February 23, 2010
12:40 pm
I think it’s awesome that she has that musical background and a strong interest at an early age! And it’s great that you are letting this be her choice but ALSO taking her seriously even though she’s only three. Like you said, it’s in her blood. What a gift!
I would rent any instrument, at least if/until she decides she is serious about it when she’s older. I started out on clarinet (4th – 7th grade), but then switched to French horn later (8th – 12th), and in between I tried piano, flute, and trumpet as well. It was easier renting/borrowing for me because I liked learning different instruments. In fact, it was always my dream to try some others as well (oboe, guitar, and violin!) and hopefully someday I’ll still get the chance. My brother started on trumpet and ended up sticking with it, so my parents bought him a (used but very well cared for) one later. It all depends on the child, and over time you can re-evaluate if/when you want to buy something. Best wishes to you & your family!
Melissa
February 23, 2010
12:40 pm
(er, she’s almost three) :)
Amber
February 23, 2010
1:46 pm
I played clarinet from age 6 through the end of high school, and started taking lessons for the same reason: I asked. (I asked for piano lessons, too, but ended up not liking those, and my parents were thankful they only bought a keyboard!) I agree with the others here who say to rent first. My brother played violin and later bass, and he went through several violins as he got older and needed bigger sizes. I started by renting one “student” (read: cheapie/small) clarinet and then when it was clear I was sticking with it, we rented to own a nicer one. Most music shops have rental plans that are super-affordable.
Andra
February 23, 2010
2:40 pm
I literally BEGGED my parents to let me play violin and they never let me because my dad said it would be too annoying to have to listen to. WHERE’S MY PERT PLUS?????
Farrell
February 23, 2010
3:43 pm
I think it’s wonderful she wants to play! But I would DEFINITELY rent one. Rent one, check the local music stores for beginning lessons, or ask around for private lessons; check churches; a lot of musicians in the churches teach private lessons….
Let us know how it goes!
I started piano when I was 9, and cello from 6th-12th grade.
Melissa
February 23, 2010
4:29 pm
definitely rent. Since she’s so young and still growing, she will need a larger violin a few more times as she grows up. I also second the Suzuki lessons. Most methods other than Suzuki will center around reading music, and from my experience with piano lessons most teachers would then prefer the student to be reading before they start lessons.
Katie C.
February 24, 2010
9:36 am
I did the Suzuki method starting at age 6. It was wonderful! I was actually considered old, though – the perfect age to start them is age 3. It is so adorable, too – the violins are teeny tiny 3 year old size! The children learn to play by ear and eventually do learn to read notes. It is a wonderful method that I would highly suggest!
As far as buying or renting, I would probably rent her first one. She will go through about 3 violins in her first few years because she will grow quite a bit. If she sticks with it past the first couple of years, I would definitely buy one. They aren’t all that expensive, really. And wait til you see the tiny little baby violins! They are just so cute!!!
Kristen
February 24, 2010
6:17 pm
Buy a cheap one on Craigs List. You can always sell it again if the desire fades!
Allie
February 24, 2010
6:47 pm
As a violin teacher, I would agree with those who suggest renting, mainly due to the growth issue. A knowledgeable salesperson will be able to fit Willa with the right sized instrument that will be not only more comfortable for her, but will also help teach her the right positioning (so, for example, if she learned on an instrument too large and always had to stretch, she may overcompensate later and end up sounding sharp. Muscle memory is amazing!). I wouldn’t try to buy at this point, even a cheap one, because unless you hit the jackpot, that’s how it will sound- cheap! And beginner violin is bad enough without it being a crap quality instrument.
And yes, it’s bad. Really bad. Like, no-exceptions, the-most-amazing-student-I-ever-taught-still-sounded-like-fingernails-on-a-blackboard-the-first-lesson bad.
On a final note, even though I didn’t keep up with piano lessons, I think it’s a really good instrument to start with because it covers all the basics and is much less frustrating as a beginner!
diana
February 24, 2010
11:55 pm
not to get off topic – but keep wondering if you have an air date for Jeopardy yet??
want to be sure and set my Tivo!
Shayna
February 25, 2010
5:41 pm
I played the cello for about
Shayna
February 25, 2010
5:44 pm
Oops…
I played the cell for about 10 years, started at age 12, so I will say that stringed intruments are EXPENSIVE. By the time I was 12, I was pretty much the size I was going to be in life, so my parents bought me an instrument. Since Willa is so little and you have to keep upgrading sizes in instruments until you get to full size, I agree with everyone else. Definitely rent the violin. Strings and maintenance are also super expensive, so just go for the inexpensive stuff for now. She can worry about strings to improve tone when she’s semi-professional :)
By the way, it makes me so happy and excited when little kids want to play strings! Go Willa!
Krissi
February 26, 2010
7:03 pm
RENT ONE.
My husband is a violin teacher (sorry, we’re in California or else I’d TOTALLY offer up his services).
Most music stores will offer lessons AND rentals. Because Willa is so young (but not TOO young – my husband has started students at as young as 3), she is going to very quickly outgrow that violin. If she keeps playing, she will outgrow three or four before she is up to an adult size (not till she’s a teen, probably).
Little kids playing the violin is the cutest thing EVER!!! I melt (and fall in love with husband all over again) every time I see him teaching a child.
Oh, and most importantly, and the Mister would give me a death glare if I didn’t include this: HELP WILLA PRACTICE. Sit through lessons with her and see what her “homework” is. You’d be surprised at how much money parents spend thinking that one or two half-hour sessions a week is going to cut it. Playing a little bit every day is key.
Yeah, like I’m the expert. I just married one :) Feel free to e-mail if you want some advice from the hubby. He’s been playing since he was a little kid, too.
Catch the Kids
February 27, 2010
12:44 am
Definitely rent. My son began on the alto sax, moved to the clarinet and now is eyeing off the flute.
an-gee-la
March 7, 2010
12:45 am
Okay, this is really crazy and I’ve never met you but please read my post http://angelasdailystruggle.blogspot.com/2010/01/full-of-surprises.html. Sounds like we might be living parallel lives… at least where violins are concerned.
How funny!
Did you get her one, yet?