I would strongly suggest finding a teacher first and have them guide you on finding an instrument . A good teacher will have leads on finding an instrument and will know what are important features for a beginner level. If buying pre-owned, they should also help you inspect the instrument and determine if it is a good value.

quote:

Originally posted by Maestro:
I would strongly suggest finding a teacher first and have them guide you on finding an instrument . A good teacher will have leads on finding an instrument and will know what are important features for a beginner level. If buying pre-owned, they should also help you inspect the instrument and determine if it is a good value.

For lessons, the teacher experts one to bring their own instrument. The facility may rent violins but the teachers seems like they are independent of these businesses.

As such, before lessons, I should engage a teacher and ask if they will help me find an instrument? Would I pay from their time, as in pay for a lesson to do so? Or is it typical that they would help find an instrument and then commence lessons? Seems reasonable if they charged a finders fee but not sure what is typical in these cases.

quote:

Originally posted by MelissaDallas:
Konata, I played violin growing up and was always first or second chair in orchestra in a town with an internationally famous college music school (many of my orchestra mates had parents who were music professors). I really believe you are way overthinking this. Buy a student-quality violin from any well-known brand. If you can find a college kid who teaches lessons, take beginner lessons from them. I did before I had a more professional teacher. Don’t underestimate a masters or PhD music student. Suzuki is great. All those tiny tots who sound like virtuosos? They learned by Suzuki method.

Yes, I'm prone to overthinking things at times.

When you say 'student-quality,' what level do you have in mind? Something like the Yamaha AV5 or AV7 ($1300)? Or something more like $400? I was open to the latter until the consensus opinion sounded like a recommendation to buy something to grow into (more like $1000+ new, but a used one for cheaper also okay). But I've been looking and not much available - maybe it's a seasonal thing.

I am a little hesitant to buy too low, especially made in chicom. I did that with archery and out grew the bow in a couple of months. That was an expensive lesson.

Look for one that is really, really, old. Like maybe couple hundred years old. That way, somebody else will have taken the depreciation hit.

As others have stated: find a reputable teacher with experience teaching beginning adults.
I am a musician, pianist, vocal and piano teacher, and have a grown son who studied violin from the age of four. Thousands of dollars spent on his lessons and instruments. (He hardly touches his instrument now.)
Go on your local Facebook community page and ask about good teachers.Go to local music stores and inquire. Ask your church music folks for advice. Also, the best resources are in the local schools. Contact the music instructors in the public schools . The school secretary will connect you . Perhaps there is a string program in the elementary or middle school. That teacher will know where to send you.
I suggest you don’t buy an instrument on your own. Wait for teacher guidance. The violin is one of the most difficult instruments to play well. You may get into it and finally decide the guitar or uke is the way to go. They’re not easy but easier. Wait for the new teacher to guide you. He/she may know of one for sale cheap. Used.
Music making is a God-given human experience designed to develop and to express the human mind, the human spirit, and human interaction as well as a way to have interaction with our Creator . After all , He did make us in His own image. It stands to reason that music is a part of him because it’s a part of humanity.
I wish you the best. It’s a commendable decision you have made and may even ward of dementia !!

My son advises the $1000 range would be the right range for an adult. Their student packages start at $545 but you'd likely outgrow that instrument's capability pretty fast.

You may find a rent-to-buy option where if you decide to quit you aren't out the full price and then trying to sell it yourself. That's the obvious benefit of renting.

Thanks. Just based on brand perceptions, that sounds like a (new) Yamaha AV5/7 (it's generally a brand I know and trust; not necessarily for violin). I'll keep researching and try to find a teacher who is willing to provide some guidance / help. Until then, I'll consider the AV5/7 as my baseline for comparisons.

I would think in most cases if you contact a teacher, they will at least point you in the right direction before your first lesson. Most of them are happy to help, and they would be grateful that you got something they approved.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:

quote:

Originally posted by Maestro:
I would strongly suggest finding a teacher first and have them guide you on finding an instrument . A good teacher will have leads on finding an instrument and will know what are important features for a beginner level. If buying pre-owned, they should also help you inspect the instrument and determine if it is a good value.

For lessons, the teacher experts one to bring their own instrument. The facility may rent violins but the teachers seems like they are independent of these businesses.

As such, before lessons, I should engage a teacher and ask if they will help me find an instrument? Would I pay from their time, as in pay for a lesson to do so? Or is it typical that they would help find an instrument and then commence lessons? Seems reasonable if they charged a finders fee but not sure what is typical in these cases.