Violin Sizes
Violins should fit their players. The size makes a difference in both the distance the
musician must reach to the fingerboard and the
distance the
notes are separated on the fingerboard.
Violin sizes are measured in fractions: 4/4, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, etc. However this fraction nomenclature can be misleading because, for example, a 1/2 size violin isn't really half the size of a 4/4 violin, as you can see by the chart below.
Violin size
|
Total length
|
Bow length
|
Common ages
|
| 1/16 |
14.5" |
16.75"
|
3-4
|
| 1/10 |
16.0" |
17.75" |
4-5 |
| 1/8 |
17.25" |
19.25" |
5-6 |
| 1/4 |
18.75" |
22.5" |
6-7 |
| 1/2 |
20.5" |
24.5"
|
8-9 |
| 3/4 |
21.75" |
27.0" |
10-11 |
| 4/4 |
23.5" |
29.5" |
12-adult |
So how do you know what size is right?
Often the teacher will measure the student and write down the correct size to get. If your teacher recommends a size, you should get that size regardless of any measurements anyone else might do.
Otherwise to fit a player to a violin, place the
violin under the student’s chin in playing position. The instrument fits if the
student is able to cup the scroll (the far end) of the violin with his hand.
An
alternative method of fitting uses a
"fitting yardstick" marked with the instrument sizes. When the end of the
yardstick is placed against the student’s neck and stretches the length of
his/her outstretched arm, the correct size is the one that is closest on the yardstick to the
student’s palm.
