So, your child finally convinced you to have them start taking violin lessons, huh? Maybe you decided that you’d add another creative outlet to your life? Congratulations!! Welcome to the beautiful journey that is learning an instrument, especially one so beautiful as the violin.
I always get so excited when people decide to make the leap to learning this instrument. Playing the violin is such a rewarding experience.
Most people run into a small hurdle, though, after finding a teacher and deciding to schedule their first lesson: figuring out what they need to start!
Obviously you need an instrument. Your local music shop will usually have violins to rent or buy (or the popular rent-to-buy programs that places like Moore Music in Greensboro affords) and you can try them out in-store or sometimes at home.
But… is there anything else?
Yes! This post will talk about the essentials (and non-essentials to round out your collection) for beginning your violin studies: the violin starter pack.
N.B.: some of the products below have affiliate links, which if you purchase from them, I will make a small commission of the purchase. I only recommend products that I know and enjoy using. Thanks for supporting me and my music!
For those of you in the Triad of North Carolina wondering where to find good instruments and instrument repairs, I’d recommend the following shops:
Shoulder rests:
- Kun Bravo
- Kun Collapsible (I currently use this one)
- Everest (I’ve used this one in the past among others)
My favorite strings:
- Thomastik Dominant (not a Dominant user personally since their tone doesn’t work with my instrument’s particular voice, but many friends and teachers in high school and college loved their Dominants)
- Thomastik Dominant Pro
- Pirastro Obligato (my first “exploratory” string set – they are rich and warm, and the lower strings shine in this set)
- Pirastro Evah Pirazzi (the E and A strings are particularly glorious)
- Thomastik Vision (fantastic warm, chocolatey toned strings)
- Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Gold (I currently play on these. The E string is the bomb.com)
- Pirastro Chromcor
Rosin:
- Jade Rosin (I currently use this rosin)
Other violin care:
- Bout protector (a great solution to rosin on the bout as you learn bow control)
- W.E. Hill Peg Goop (essential for long dry winters or humidity issues!)
Humidifier:
- Dampit Violin Humidifier (goes inside your instrument)
Cases:
- Bam Hightech Contoured Violin Case (I currently use this case)
- Bam Saint Germain Violin Case (Bam cases are lightweight, very durable, and provided essential protection and temperature control. They’re worth the investment!)
- Bam Hightech Oblong Violin Case
- Bobelock Half-Moon Violin Case (I used this case throughout grade school)
- Bobelock Oblong Violin Case (I used this case throughout high school)
- Bow Case (I don’t have one yet, but if your case doesn’t have a lot of bow slots, or if you want a dedicated travel bow case, I’d recommend this one!)
- Attachable Music Bag (attaches to your case so your arms are free!)
Sheet music & books:
- Suzuki Violin Method Vol 1 (I usually start my students on these books, and the Suzuki method is a very popular method especially among children)
- Suzuki Vol 2
- Suzuki Vol 3
- Suzuki Vol 4
- New Tunes for Strings Vol 1
- New Tunes for Strings Vol 2
- Mark O’Connor Vol 1 (for rounding out your knowledge of playing styles. I just discovered this method a few months ago and LOVE it!)
- Mark O’Connor Vol 2
- Mark O’Connor Vol 3
- Mark O’Connor Vol 4
- Carl Flesch Scale System (the only scale book you will ever need ever. But do I own 3 more scale method books? Yes. Yes I do.)
- Simon Fischer Basics (fantastic exercises to practice every violin technique known to man, in every way imaginable. Suitable for intermediate and advanced players and nerds like yours truly)
Metronome:
Stands:
The above products are more than enough to get you started! Would you be interested in me reviewing things like strings, method books and cases in more detail? Let me know! Until next time,
Happy practicing!
~ Vivian