I want to learn how to play violin, but I am left handed. Do you have to be right handed to play violin?

No, violinists all play with the violin in the left hand and the bow in the right. There are many left handed violinists, and they usually start out faster than right handers because they are more coordinated with their left hands.

Why do I have to keep having my violin adjusted?

As each instrument leaves a workshop, it is adjusted to sound its best at that moment in time. However, a violin is made from many individual parts and several different types of wood. Wood, being a porous material, is sensitive to changes in atmosphere, temperature and especially humidity. As each part of the violin expands or contracts at a different rate, factors like the neck angle or the tightness of the soundpost are affected, which in turn will influence the quality of the sound. 

Another cause for an instrument being 'out of adjustment' is the bridge being moved during daily use, either while the player is straightening it or through it being accidentally knocked. Even a small movement of the bridge can have a large impact on the sound and response of an instrument, so often a small adjustment is all that is needed to restore your violin to its former beauty of tone.

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How do you hold a violin and bow? And how do you use it?

You should put your violin on your left shoulder and hold it with your left hand. You would hold your bow with your right hand. Before using the bow, tighten it by twisting the metal knob to the right. Make sure it’s not too tight. You would need plenty of rosin on the bow but don’t put it on everyday or it will get too sticky. At the end of your lesson or practise session, loosen the bow. For the violin, the index finger is the 1st finger, the middle is the 2nd finger, the ring is the 3rd finger and the pinkie is the fourth finger. If you don’t know how to tune it either wait until your teacher does it or tune it yourself if you have a tuned instrument. The left string is G, the next is D, the next is A and then on the right is E.

What size violin should I use?

Here is a general guide for violin sizes. Your arm length can be measured between the neck and the middle of your left-hand palm or wrist. The violin size determined by the neck-to-wrist measurement would be more comfortable for students to hold. The measurement shall be taken when your hand is fully extended and raised perpendicular to your body, just like holding a violin. Consider choosing a larger size if the arm length is between two recommended sizes. Please consult your violin teacher if possible.

1/16: for children age 3 or under (arm length 14-15 inches, or 36-38cm)

1/10: for children age 4 to 5 (arm length 15 to 17 inches, or 38-43cm)

1/8: for children age 5 to 6 (arm length 17.1-17.5 inches, or 43-44cm)

1/4: for children age 6 to 7 (arm length 17.6 to 20 inches, or 45-51cm)

1/2: for children age 8 to 9 (arm length 20 to 22 inches, or 51-56cm)

3/4: for children 10-11 (arm length 22 to 23.5 inches, or 56-60cm)

4/4 (full size): for violinists age 9 and above with an arm length of 23.5 inches (60cm) and up.

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