Free guide · PDF
Choosing Your First Violin.
A complete buying guide for parents, beginners, and adult learners — written by a working violinist. Sizing, setup, what a fair price actually looks like, and the things no one tells you when you walk into a music store. (Price examples reference the Philippine market.)
What’s inside
- Sizing for any player. By age and arm length, with photos, including the most common sizing mistakes parents make.
- What “set up” really means. Bridge, soundpost, strings, pegs, fine tuners. What every new violin should have before you take it home.
- What a fair price looks like. Honest price ranges for student, intermediate, and advanced instruments (with examples from the Philippine market). What you should and shouldn’t spend.
- The 6 things every new violin needs (and 3 things the music store will try to upsell that you don’t).
- Workshop violins vs. factory violins. How to tell the difference, and why it matters.
- Renting vs. buying. When renting is the right call for kids who are still growing.
- Maintenance basics. Daily, weekly, and monthly care that keeps your investment healthy.
- A buying checklist. Print this and bring it with you.
Who it’s for
Parents getting their child’s first instrument. Adult beginners returning to violin or starting fresh. Music school students upgrading. Anyone navigating an unfamiliar instrument market. Anyone who wants to spend their money well.
Who wrote it
Corona Strings — a strings shop and music studio started by a working violinist. Every recommendation in this guide is one Corona Strings stands behind. Read more about Corona Strings.
Try the free tools
While you’re here, check your tuning with our free chromatic tuner, keep time with the metronome, or train your ear with ear training — all free, no signup.