BUYING A VIOLIN - WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
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- Опубликовано: 14 авг 2019
- This video is for intermediate to professional level violinists.
1:30 Talking to the teacher
2:26 Student instruments
4:00 The routine of trying the violin (or the bow)
5:53 Price range
6:43 What to buy: the bow or the violin
7:45 Contacting the dealers
8:48 The weight of the bow
10:05 Back to the price ranges
11:11 Be aware of the new violins
11:50 Violin as an investment
13:15 Condition of the violin
15:06 The documents
15:21 I've got a "Strad"! 
Видеоклипы
My violin was gotten from a garage sale for $5.. Turned out it was actually a German made violin from 1938
how lucky you are!
Except for two I had made, all my fiddles are garage sale fiddles either I found or my grandfather found. All are older European instruments that the owners didn’t know what they had. You just have to be patient and spend some time. They are out there.
This really is incredibly useful! I'll be upgrading from my "cheap" violin at the moment. I'm still somewhere in between beginner and intermediate, but your facts really does help me on what to look out for! I appreciate it very much!
Finally a truly valuable and truthful video from an expert on this topic! Thank you for such a useful information!
would be so useful to have a corresponding bow video!
After viewing a number of videos, they say that your bow would ideally cost 20%~30% of your violin. Not much of a difference between octagonal and round bow. Brazilian wood bow is good but if you play a lot outside, would recommend carbon fiber bow to avoid warping.
Very helpful information! 30 years ago, our local luthier told me up to $13,000 you are paying more for an improvement in quality, above that you are paying for the name. In today's dollars that would be about $26,000 to $30,000. Julia is saying the same thing. If you can't afford much, and are just a beginner, putting high quality strings on your violin is a relatively inexpensive way to get a better quality tone. The time to buy a quality violin is when you start playing for an audience. No one wants to listen to a poor violin even if you are a great violinist. Also, most luthiers will allow you to trade up as you improve.
Thank you for your comment.
Thanks a lot for your advices. Buying a violin or a bow is a really stressing situation and an important responsibility when trying to help students to find a violin that suits well. This video is a superb step by step guide. 😊
On the issue of buying new violins, I would respectfully suggest that while it can be a gamble as Professor Bushkovsky says (11:11) , it can just as much be a gamble buying an older violin, albeit for very different reasons. Personally I have had a very good experience commissioning a new instrument from a highly respected luthier and among the many advantages are that the violin or viola is in perfect condition, the provenance is 100% sure, the luthier is able to help with set up, and you can have some input to the whole process (which is extremely satisfying) and the maker can adjust to your particular playing style or size of hands etc. The quality of modern lutherie is higher than ever, so there are many exceptional makers to choose from, and the prices is likely to be much, much more reasonable than for a named older violin. For a student or young professional on a budget, or indeed for any other player this is - in my view - absolutely the way to go. One caveat is that one should be willing to 'play the violin in' for a few months, discussing with the luthier in the process, and then hang onto it, to get the full value. The risk of it 'closing up' is low, if the maker is a good maker who knows what they are doing.
I took violin BUILDING class ...what a learn....instructor said our resulting violins were worth= 2000. 3000. $ before finishing .... im happy LEARNED from what i built , i would build another to correct mistakes...violin is INVESTMENT in joy of playing. Greatest invention of human kind ( im a fiddler ..since before internet EXISTED...)
I wish I lived near you. Such knowledge, talent and generosity to us aspiring violin students young and old.
My violin shop has a 100% trade-in policy - minus the cost of new strings plus a very modest cleaning fee - provided the instrument is in excellent condition still. I strongly recommend developing a relationship with a shop with this policy. In about 15 years, I have gone from a $500 violin to a $5,000 viola by trading in and adding to that when I could afford it. It has made such a difference for me. I’ve owned about six or seven instruments along the way, each time moving up the ladder. I must say that my Sean Peak viola is a fabulous instrument, though I came to violin later in life (as a former classical pianist). It is hard to imagine needing a better viola, so I strongly recommend his work. I could not afford to go much higher in price with two children still in college. At least, not yet. Also, I strongly recommend budgeting for a good bow. It is the source of tone, and it really matters. Both for control and for sound. Anyway, I love your videos. Thank you so much.
i feel so poor right now hahaha
There was some very interesting information in this video that I haven't heard before from other people, especially the part about the instrument changing sound as it gets older, I didn't know that.
Thank you for making this video.
👏👏 very useful... Thank you very much..
Thank you for a very useful guide video!
Glad it was helpful!
I'm retired now and playing the violin for fun. When I was young, I self-taught on flute at the age of 16, having switched from clarinet (also self taught) and went to the annual contest in New York State after playing the flute for four months, and the clarinet for two years, and was ranked near the top of the state in both instruments. My flute playing was much, much better than my clarinet playing though. Eventually, I ended up at the Vienna Conservatory, but dropped out to pursue a career of international travel and excitement in something else, which was a dream for me, a lower-middle class kid from the sticks.
Anyway, self-teaching on violin has exploded because of the internet, with the wealth of wonderful teacher/players like yourself who are offering top-level teaching tips. Even if you (or any college professor) are making videos only to display your disposition, knowledge and training, they are well worth doing. I wish I had that when I was looking for a teacher.
I can only imagine what would have happened to me with violin, if when I was 12 and got a $3 violin for Christmas, I had videos like yours to watch. Instead, I played for a few months, sawed away horrendously at the first page of the Mendelssohn Concerto, had a fierce death grip, no-joint-movement vibrato, and stopped playing the violin, until in my twenties I went back to college and played violin in the school orchestra and had one semester with a pretty good teacher, a Juilliard graduate. It was fun playing in the orchestra, but my lessons were not revelatory and my progress was glacial. I was discouraged and quit violin, until now in my retirement. In retrospect, a lot of my problems had to do with equipment.
Fast forward to age 61, and a year before retirement and I've started playing violin once again, watching all the videos by the great variety of teachers. I'm not taking lessons. I don't even want lessons. Teachers and their dogmatism can drive me crazy. Now into retirement a few years, I have the time and energy to learn and play violin finally.
I like how you talked about the importance of the bow, and although I understood this on an intellectual level from reading hundreds of posts by people who talk about the bow, or listening to them talk in videos, somehow it eluded me for a few years of my playing now in my old age. Besides the better sound a well-balanced and functioning bow can produce, just the feeling of drawing a full bow is so much different from having a bad bow. Legato playing is easier. Playing at the frog is easier. Control of dynamics is now simple for me, whereas before it was impossible to sustain a very soft held note.
So, I was thinking a lot of self-taught people do not have a teacher to help them navigate finding an instrument or a bow. In the case of the bow, they need to find an advanced student or someone to pick a decent bow for them from a dealer who has a wide selection of bows in the $100 range. Pay that person $100 or whatever. Likewise, students in large metropolitan areas where there are violin shops can pick up cash this way, and advertise their services as bow/violin finders for beginners.
I've read/watched so much about violins, I knew all of the things you said, like about finding a violin which projects from the stage. A friend I went to school with back in the 70s paid about $20,000 for her violin and it was loud and I thought it sounded, well, harsh, but she picked it for the stage projection. She looked for months and tried hundreds of violins.
If a person doesn't have anyone to go along with them, they can bring a digital recorder or something to record themselves playing and see which records better. Also, most violin shops have someone who plays proficiently enough to demo violins you're interested in.
Even though I'm not a violinist, I have a very discerning ear when listening, but it fails me to some degree when I'm playing violin. One thing I can tell immediately when playing myself or hearing another person play is the evenness of timbre across the four strings.
While it is true that a lot of people, kids especially, could be given a $50,000 bow and a good Strad (not one of the ones where the wood has gone dead) and it wouldn't make any difference. But if you have a real feel for the violin, these things make a huge difference, as you said, especially the bow.
I don't know how it is at UNT, but there are some institutions which have instruments and bows to lend to students. Back during that one semester of my violin study, after my first lesson my teacher tried to lure me into playing the viola, because the school had a good viola to loan me for free, and I'd have a teacher who was on TV all the time, a top professional viola player who ended up teaching at Juilliard. He had only two students, and the orchestra needed another viola player. Funny side note, he also ended up switching to violin.
And of course, really talented students now can sometimes get loaners from individuals or organizations which collect good instruments. But by the time they get to that level, they know about this and are studying with top teachers.
What is lost by playing on a bad bow or a violin where the bridge is 5mm too high? Time. At my age, I regret that I didn't have a better bow, which would have made playing the violin a greater pleasure in the last couple years, and my progress more rapid. And when I was in my twenties and trying to play the violin that one semester, I regret that I was using a bad style chinrest, which made holding the violin very difficult. It's called a "Stuber" I think, and has a very wicked contour, probably made for someone with a jaw like Schwarzenegger.
I'm mentioning these mistakes hoping someone will learn from them, or maybe a self-taught student who is talented and loves the violin will feel motivated to go out and try to experience a better bow. As a musician on any instrument I've played, I've had a way I wanted to play inside, an idea of the sound I wanted to make, that I wanted to come out. Bad equipment can thwart this. And it isn't all about the money, at least with bows, and that should be good news for some.
...will be continued?
Woah there
**THANK YOU** 🎻♥
Thank you so much 🙏
Thank you
Professor Julia, whenever i look to your face i see the face of legendary Zoria Shikhmurzayeva, I am sure that she rest in peace now because her daughter Julia is a violin professor .. Kind regards
Thank you. I miss my mother, too...
For beginners looking to upgrade I suggest simply looking for a solid wood top. Look at the end grain on the edges of the violin and if the purfling is inlaid or simply a decal. This is the most likely upgrade if you can’t hear the instrument and you’re just taking a gamble. Maybe the instrument has no bridge or has a crack in the top and will require some repairs.
Suggestion for advanced violinists. Go to tarisio auction public viewing (at London or New York). Try all violins from 1000 to 100,000 and up. That's definite an eye (or ear) opening experience.
I did that, in New York, and I was surprised that there was relatively little difference between those at 10k and those at 50k, for example. Only the ones at the very top end, such as a Pressenda or Gofriller, really stood out from the rest. I did not try the super expensive ones at Tarisio, but once had the opportunity to play a Peter of Mantua (at a dealers) and that was something quite extraordinary, not least because my own fiddle is a close copy of it.
Thank you from outback Australia N.T
I appreciate the advice. Could we have a bow only video please?
Спасибо
Thank you very much for this post. What about strings? How often should, let's say a Dominant thomastik set be changed, or better yet, what are the indicator that they should be changed (mine last no more than 2-3 months without loosing sound). And how many days before a concert should we change them? (I really have trouble making my students or parents understand they need to change them).
Dominants should be changed 6-7 days before the concert. They change drastically in sound over this period. Some players like the metallic quality they have during 24 to 48 hours having breaking in.
Giving a week with new strings or its helpful in my opinion to give yourself time to hear your instrument at your best. You can't play in tune on old strings, but so it might be a rude awakening.
Thanks, I am still renting the violin 😀
That's the best way to start. Do not buy unless you are 100% sure you will continue!
i think the cardinal rule of buying a violin is it must be perfectly clear to you what you are buying for the money.A beginner cannot understand the diffrences of expensive violins.Therefore a beginner can buy IMHO a violin up to 1000$.When you start to get a clear notion what the more expensive violin does,you can buy something more expensive.To be at the level of spending tens of thousands on a violin it must be as clear as day what you get for the money.This inevitably unfortunately happens as player progresses and it is obvious to them what they get for the money.
Please advise on how one might judge a violin when listening to it. This can help us compare violins. You indicated projection. Are there other details one may look for? How does one judge playability? Your videos are very detailed and pedagogical -- extremely helpful.
Projection, warmth of tone, even timbres of all strings - much depends on what you personally like. Playability is also important.
I just recently bought one. For "only" 1500 €. I asked the luthier for violins up to 2300 € and just tested them, played scales, played some pieces I brought with my bow and one the luthier gave me (first round only with my bow, second round with hers). I would say you just HEAR the difference! How do the g-strings sound, how the e-strings? How do the d-strings compare in low and high positions? (This goes for all the strings, of course!). Is the violin easy to play? In the end, I had two rather different violins, both the same price, and had rejected all the others, some, I was told, much more expensive than the ones I chose.
I was allowed to take the two violins home and played them for a week, each day preferring another of the two. In the end, one had mellowed a little and I chose the one that had a slightly deeper, more mellow, even tone. Everytime I played it after I played my old violin, I had this "wow-feeling".
So, I wouldn't get too technical; I guess, if you have payed for some years, you will hear differences and find out what you prefer.
I told my luthier that I wasn't sure if I wanted a "dark" violin sound or an "even" one and it turned out, yes, I wanted a "darker", warmer sound and I did not like a "brilliant" e-string at all. Also, most of the g-strings sounded too "harsh" for me.
You can also begin to listen to different violins at one violin maker, then move on to the next one and after some getting used to the process and knowing what you now want to listen for, return to the first one. You need not feel pressed to immediately buy!
First thank you for these incredible information,, i have little question ,, does violin string cost alot? I mean if i got a expensive violin and then i want to re sell it with a cut string or either ... what will happen to prices? Does it affect too much?
Violin strings differ in cost. For beginners, I would recommend Red Label set by Super-Sensitive. In the professional category, D'Addario Zyex Violin String Set is a bit cheaper, although I prefer various Thomastik strings, they are not by far more expensive.
I didn't know there were factory made violins. I always went to a luthier.
Does the label inside the violin slightly affect sound? Wouldn’t it be better to somehow remove the label so the violin is completely clean inside for optimal sound?
No :)) The label does not affect the sound, do not worry
Who are the topper manufacturers? Would you please help me. I am from Kerala, India. Beginner. I wish, price range is below 1000 USD.
Do not test drive a Porsche 911 if all you can afford afford is a Honda Civic!
Question: I have a $2000 Gliga Violin. My violin teacher - who played in the Korea Symphony National Orchestra - says my violin is "great". I also have a codabow (carbon fiber) that I paid $600 for if I remember crrectly. I have heard, that if money is an issue, you can usually get a carbon fiber bow that is of better quality that you a wooden bow for the same amount of money. Is this true? I am not a professional violinist by any means. I have grade 7 (First Class Honours) with the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada. I am now working on grade 8. I am middle aged and I grew up in a rural location in Canada as a child. I simply did not have access to a any violin teacher in the small town where I grew up. BUt ..... violin is something I WANT to do. (I play piano at an advanced level and have a good ear.) I've decided that when I start working on grade 10 RCM, I can buy myself a $10 000 or $15 000 violin with a great sound. A couple of years down the road, I will get a very good bow. I know true professional violinists would never use a carbon fiber bow, but for a "serious amateur" (for lack of a better word), I wonder what you think of them. Codabow does seem to be using some impressive technology to make their bows and their latest bow (Marquise) looks like a woonden bow and has wood fibers, i.e. not woven carbon fibers.
Carbon fiber bows are consistent. So it may be true it beats most of low-mid quality wood(pernambuco) bows. It has volume, dynamic but lacks of tone quality that many professionals want. I suggest you go to all available string shops to try what ever bow and violins you can get. Or just apply a part-time job there if you really want to understand the difference. Violins are the much more complicated. Sometimes a good violin without a good setup sounds crap. That's why when investing a violin. It is suggested to rent it first for a time for evaluation.
I believe Hilary Hahn plays on carbon fiber bows
Just wondering why cracks are not okay? I want to buy a used violin 1954 Galileo Arcellaschi and it has cracks near on the right on the surface side.
Cracks - if they are properly fixed - are OK for the sound, but they lower the monetary value of an instrument.
I want to buy a violin that is handmade from 2014. The seller said it has been used for demonstations and adjustments only. I am just a beginner and my teatcher says that I need an instrument that has been «played in». I personally like the looks of this violin, specially the fingerbord looks good in the pictures and I want a violin that is bigger than the one I got now as I have a (full lengt 4/4 but) small one. There is littel chance of having it tested because of the geografical distances. So I will have to buy it just for testing it. The seller is sure it is of outmoste quality and it costs 3500euros. Does anyone have an insight on this? Is it true that it will be Harder to learn the violin on a Brand new instrument that has not been played so much?
In my opinion, it does not matter as much what quality of the violin you have when you are a beginner. As long as it is not a horribly sounding violin, a beginner should be OK. On the other hand, 3500€ is an expensive first violin. You should not go by how the violin "looks." Since no one can try this instrument for you, I would suggest to ask your teacher's opinion and go with it.
What’s your opinion on Fiddlerman violins?
Depends, there good beginner instruments! Once you get to bruch concerto of repertoire it is essential to spend much more due to the high demands that the music offers
I do not have an opinion on those as I do not know them.
In Singapore, I am not aware that they allow violins to be brought home to be tested... 😞
Yes, I am sure it does not happen in all countries. Even in the US, some sellers will not give violins on trials. But most dealerships would.
I made my own violin looks like Amati my own oil varnish and you need to mute your ears from the power and the molten metal warm sound .
Tell us about your violin what were the deciding factors in your choosing it?
I wanted a modern healthy violin (without cracks), with good projection and a nicely-sounding G string. I got all of those in this one.
Hello Julia, I would like to ask you a few very beginner questions about violin.
Is it better to learn violin right hand or left hand for a left handed person?
Also is it better to go for acoustic or electric violin at 900usd price range (+ For silent practicing but also performing later on) ? And what is your opinion on electric violin overall?
Thank you and have a nice day.
Absolutely most left-handers learn the violin the same way as the right-handers. But there were several who held the violin in the right hand and bowed with the left!
I cannot make a suggestion regarding electric violin as I do not play one, sorry...
We should call it ...you have "Real Copy" of Stradivari 😅
А разве не все преподаватели на комиссии?
Не все. Я - нет.
12.40, so my 1857 JB Vuillaume is a modern violin. Dear professor Buskova, I think a modern violin would be anything made after 1900.
I agree with you - this is how it should be called. However, a "modern Italian" instrument would be pretty much anything made in the 1800s (especially the second half of it) -- to distinguish it from the 1700s when the Strads, del Jesus, Guadagninis, and Gaglianos lived... So a Vuillaume is not a "modern" violin because it is French. Again, it is not MY choice of words :)
A 25k violin is “decent” 🌶
Some people spend more on a second hand car.
You look like my second grade teacher lmao
she talks about 5000$ violins.
me who just wanted to buy a 150-200 $ :(
This is discouraging. Why should I even continue to practice violin if I know I can never afford more than a $1000 violin? (I’m currently practicing on a $600 student violin with a fibreglass bow.) Even though I have been getting better and would like to continue, I guess I should quit wasting my time. 🙁
I guess it depends on your current level of violin playing and what you want to do with the violin. You want to go professionally? Or just as a hobby? I would say, once you reach bruch level it is essential to have a violin of at least 10k, you would find that a cheaper one just wouldn't cut the mustard unfortunately, and will be too hard to work with. But unfortunately this is the truth and reality of the cost of violins these days.
Do not get discouraged. My advice here was only for those who are on a professional or pre-professional track. Plus, once in a while, it it possible to find a good-sounding instrument (for one's level) for almost any price!
Thanks. That makes me feel better. I am only in my first year and don’t plan on being a professional or see myself aspiring to get to a Bruch. I want to be able to play second or third year level well.
Keep practising and things will work out for you. Practice Practice Practice
Go on you tube, see 2set Australian guys test out violins with eddy Chan. Conclusion, million dollar violinist is better than a million dollar violin. Practice
Thank you