A Beginner’s Guide to Essential Items for Learning the Violin
1 - The Violin
1) Violin
The first item you’ll need is, of course, a violin. Make sure to pay attention to the size of the instrument: 4/4 is the standard full-size violin for adults. If you’re buying a violin for a child, I recommend visiting a violin shop or music store. Professional staff can advise you on the correct size, which will depend on your child’s height.
Tip: Consider renting a violin if you have the option. Renting not only saves you from making a large upfront investment, but it also gives you access to a better-quality instrument than what you might be able to afford outright.
2 - The bow
There are two main types of bow materials: wood and carbon fiber.
Wooden Bows
Wooden bows are traditional and often more expensive. They’re sometimes considered superior to carbon fiber bows, but this depends on the bow’s quality. For example, a high-end carbon fiber bow may outperform a mid-tier wooden one. However, wooden bows are more sensitive to temperature and humidity changes and require extra care.Carbon Fiber Bows
Carbon fiber bows are typically more affordable and robust than wooden ones. They’re also far less affected by environmental factors, making them a great choice if you need to play outdoors.
Tip: For beginner children, carbon fiber bows might be more suitable due to their durability and lower risk of damage.
3 - The rosin
Rosin is an essential item for any violinist. It is made from the solidified resin extracted from pine trees and is applied to the bow hair to help it grip the strings and produce sound. Without rosin, your bow won’t create much sound at all.
Tip: Start with a basic rosin; many beginner violins come with one included. As you progress, you can experiment with different types to find what suits your playing style.
4 - Spare strings
Strings can break unexpectedly, so it’s always a good idea to have a spare set on hand. For beginners, affordable synthetic or streel-core strings will be fine. Once you’ve gained experience, you can explore higher quality options, like the brand Dominant.
5 - A cleaning cloth
A soft microfiber cleaning cloth is recommended for maintaining your instrument. After every practice session, use it to wipe away rosin dust from the strings, fingerboard, and body of the violin. This simple habit keeps your instrument in great condition.
6 - A shoulder rest
A shoulder rest helps support the violin, making it more comfortable to hold and play. There are many options available, so choose one that feels comfortable for your shoulder and neck. Beginners often find adjustable models particularly useful.
Tip: I personally use the brand Everest. I find their shoulder rest comfortable, affordable, stable, and very robust. (This is not a product placement, just what I use! 🙂 )
7 - A mute
A mute is a small accessory placed on the bridge of the violin to dampen the sound. It’s especially useful if you need to practice quietly without disturbing others. You can buy a practice mute, which is very effective and will drastically reduce the volume. Alternatively, you can use a concert mute for slight dampening of the sound. Mutes do affect the sound and tone quality, so it’s not recommended to practice daily with a practice mute.
Tip: I have a short mute demo in my latest YouTube video about essential items for the violin.
8 - A music stand
A music stand is essential for holding sheet music or practice books at the right height. A foldable, lightweight stand is a good choice for portability (see picture 1), but it might not be the most stable. If you have heavy sheet music books or if you are playing outside, I would recommend a more sturdy version (see picture 2).
9 - A tuner
Your violin is going to go out of tune frequently. For that reason, it is critically important to regularly tune it (before each practice session). The more affordable option is to simply download a tuning app (most of them are free). Otherwise, you can purchase a physical tuner.
Tip: I would recommend a clip-on tuner, particularly for tuning in noisy areas.
