[Genie]

Hi,

My DD who will be 5 in Feb has decided she would like to learn to play the violin. I have to admit I am a little out of my depth so I need whatever assistance anyone can offer me.

What do I look for in an instrument, is their any particular brands I should be actively seeking out or avoiding?
Should I look at a private teacher or music school?
Private lessons or group classes?
What opportunities are there for performing (this will be a huge motivating factor for her)?
Recommendations? We are in Lockridge (about half way between Morley and Midland), some travel is fine, but I don't want to spend an hour in the car for a 30 min lesson IYKWIM.

Maybe the most important question - What questions should I be asking (especially once I start contacting schools / teachers)?

Thanks to anyone who can help me...

[=R2=]

I'm not from WA but just to let you know that violins come in different sizes. At the age of 5 your little one will probably be ok in a 1/4 size. Most good music and violin shops will sell you a good quality student violin (Stentor and Yamaha are usually well regarded student brands for starting out). Don't get any new instruments from eBay because you won't be guaranteed they will be good quality wood and hairs. Music teachers and schools will also be able to guide you on where to get an instrument from.

Professional violinists will mostly have very old instruments (I'm talking 100+ years old - from Italy, Germany, Austria) chosen for the quality of the workmanship, and the wood used to make the instrument as aged wood makes a better quality sound. So not necessarily sticking to particular brands as such.

Picking a good teacher is difficult - sometimes could be a trial and error thing. Our local violin shop, have been able to recommend a few teachers that specialise in very young children starting out. We have a well known violinist and performer living in our suburb but is not necessarily the best teacher to very young kids. In the end we chose a teacher by word of mouth from our children's primary school.

PM the EB member Quill as she's a very experienced violin teacher. She will be able to help you so much more than I can.

This post has been edited by =R2=: 19/11/2012, 10:24 AM

[mewsings]

Tempest Music in Manning were great at sizing DD for her first violin at age 4. She's fun sized and has a 1/32 and they were very helpful.

This is DD's Violin teacher's details Hope that is helpful.