How to Handle a Violin

Here, we would like to explain the basics of properly holding a violin. The moment you have a violin in your hand for the first time, you may feel awkward and might find it difficult to handle. Don’t panic, don’t rush, don’t give up, and just enjoy getting to know your instrument.

What You Need for Playing Violin

We recommend choosing a violin with a kit

Violin
Bow
Rosin
Shoulder rest
Case

Volume of Violin Sound and Neighbor Friendliness

Many people may feel a violin sounds louder than expected when it is played for the first time.
You can use a practice mute to reduce the volume when playing at home.
→Sold separately. *These products are now under preparation.

There are two types of mutes; the standard mute and the practice mute. The practice mute is to reduce the volume when you play violin at home. Although it is called a ‘mute’, the practice mute only reduces the volume and the sound still can be heard in low volume.

[ Types of Mute ]

Wooden mute for cello (upper left), metal mute for cello (upper right), metal mute for violin (front left), standard rubber mute for violin (front center), standard rubber mute for cello (front right)

How to choose a violin

Size	*Violin length (mm)	Height (cm)
4/4	590	145～
3/4	560	145～130
1/2	515	130～125
1/4	478	125～115
1/8	439	115～110
1/10	407	110～105
1/16	361	～105

Sizes (from 4/4 down to 1/16 or 1/32)

Choose the right size for your child’s age and physique (height and the length of the arms)
Here, we will explain based on 4/4 = full size = for adults, but the basics of handling the violin are the same for all sizes.

Acoustic Violin and Electric Violin

The acoustic is the standard traditional violin.

The electric violin has a pickup and preamp. When played unplugged, it’s quieter than the acoustic violin, and is as quiet as an acoustic violin muted with a practice mute.

Materials

Maple is used for the neck, side of the body, and the back of the violin. The top is made of spruce. The two strips of wood on the left are maple woods and the spruce wood is on the right in the picture.

Ebony or black colored materials are used for parts such as pegs, fingerboard, upper nut, and the chin rest. Rosewood is also used for the chin rest.

Ebony and Black Colored Materials

Ebony is an endangered wood so only the more expensive and older violins use ebony. Inexpensive stringed instruments are made with black colored hardwood that are used as a substitute for ebony.
Since the imitation ebony hardwood is painted, it may fade and the white wooden base may be exposed.
Black ebony is generally used for the fitting parts on high-end violins, and a lesser quality ebony has natural red streaks in the wood.

Finish (Varnish)

Synthetic resin is used to coat inexpensive violins, and natural varnish is used for the more high-end violins.