So your child is starting to learn the violin, and you need to get a violin. You look at the music shop prices, and balk – surely it doesn’t cost that much for a violin! So you look to get a violin from Gumtree, or Craigslist. Ahh, much better. How can there be such a big difference – does it really matter?
There’s lots of different things that go into a beginner violin, and when you buy a violin from Gumtree or Craigslist, there’s no guarantee that you’re getting all of them, and no guarantee that you’re getting a violin that is in playable condition. So let me, an experienced violinist and music teacher, run you through the various parts, and why you shouldn’t buy a second-hand violin from gumtree or an unknown source.
Continue reading Why shouldn’t I buy my violin from gumtree?