Violins are difficult to compare when you are talking about them in the abstract. To make sense of the multitude of options out there, it is best to just look at violins by comparing two very different ones. The contrast will help you determine what is important to you and what you can compromise on.
If you are looking to purchase your first violin it can be very overwhelming trying to understand the wide variety of violins on offer. It is important to consider what instrument will suit you best, be good enough for now, but also have an option for upgrading in the future.
The violins that are being discussed today are part of a range that covers three different budgets. These options should help you find something that suits your needs and budget.
If you’re in the market for a really great violin, but don’t know where to start, this post is for you. Whether you’re a complete beginner or intermediate player looking for a better instrument to play on stage or just looking to freshen up your collection, we’ve got it all here.
Table of Contents
Buying Guide
Finding the right violin can be a challenge. The prices vary widely across quality levels, and it’s difficult to know what the heck you’re even looking for. Luckily for you, our review of intermediate violins is here to help! There are violins at every price point, so whether your budget is large or small, there’s something for everyone.
1. Quality
The quality of a violin is one of the key factors to take into account before purchasing an instrument. The more expensive violins are made from wood that is aged for decades and have been hand-picked by expert craftsmen who know the exact shape and size of each piece.
2. Materials
The next thing you want to look at is the materials used in the violin when thinking about the price range you are comfortable with. Materials can include woods, veneers, purfling or purfling inlay, soundholes, inlays, and other decorations.
3. Construction
Another thing to consider is the construction of a violin. You want a violin that you can play comfortably and one that has decent sound quality. More expensive violins are usually made from fine woods, such as spruce for the top, maple for the back and sides, ebony for the fingerboard and pegs, and have higher quality varnish.
5 Best Intermediate Violins Reviewed
Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Cremona SV-500 Premier Artist Violin Outfit – 4/4 Size
- Strings Magazine reviews SV-500 as "a good choice for anyone looking for a first or second violin" See Video and Product Details PDF file below for...
- Best tone quality for the advanced student and Cremona's most popular violin for sound.Case: Lightweight oblong rigid foam with four bow holders and...
- Flamed maple with a rich, hand applied reddish-brown varnish finish, hand carved solid spruce and solid maple body
- Set-up to MENC Standards at our Cremona workshop in California with French-made Aubert bridge and US-made Prelude strings
- Low profile, lightweight and well designed Stradivarius-style chinrest, deluxe Brazilwood bow and oblong case
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Cremona SV-500 Premier Artist Violin Outfit – 4/4 Size is a new violin outfit that has recently been released by Cremona, just in time for the holiday season. It is made of onyx, an onyx-colored ebony wood with an ebony body on top of maple ribs.
Pros :
- Beautiful, full sound with a resonant bass
- Built with advanced technologies that deliver a rich and musical tone
- Top quality maple wood with a dyed golden finish
- Includes case, bow, rosin, & shoulder rest
Cons :
- Expected sound and playability that is slightly below the level of other Cremona instruments
- The wood tone is a bit more bass than other Cremona instruments
- Price could be considered to be a bit high for what you get, but this price can easily be justified with the quality of sound.
2. Cremona SV-130 Premier Novice Violin Outfit – 4/4 Size,Traditional Brown
- Cremona's top selling novice violin for more than 10 years; check out the new video
- Every Cremona student violin comes with US-made Prelude strings; the educator's preferred strings for students
- Properly fitted Swiss-style ebony pegs and quality lightweight composite tailpiece with 4 smooth fine tuners for easy tuning
- Low profile Kaufman-style chinrest; oiled neck for better feel and well balanced bow for ease of playing
- Correct string height and string spacing for accurate finger positioning and intonation
Last update on 2024-04-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Cremona SV-130 Premier Novice Violin Outfit is the perfect choice for beginners. This beginner’s outfit is a simple and easy to play violin for all ages and skill levels. Made by hand in China, this violin has an attractive traditional brown finish and an ebony fingerboard with silver inlaid purfling.
Pros :
- This Cremona violin is not just for beginners – it’s also ideal for intermediate players.
- The tuning of this violin is quite easy to master, with the E-string being at standard tuning height.
Cons :
- The tuners are not so durable
- Tuners need to be treated more carefully than steel strings
- It’s a little rickety sometimes, but it is very playable and sounds fantastic
3. Mendini by Cecilio Violin Instrument – MV400 Full Size 4/4 w/Bow & Case for Kids & Beginners, Varnish
- A great violin for beginners, these hand-carved, solid wood, half-size violins are charming starter stringed musical instruments for students of any...
- Our Mendini violin kit also includes a lightweight, hard carry case with backpack and shoulder straps, two Brazil wood bows, two bridges, violin...
- This full size violin is a symphony of artistry - designed with inlaid purfling, an ebony fingerboard, an alloy tailpiece with 4 integrated fine...
- These elegant musical instruments are crafted from maple, spruce and ebony – be sure to handle with care to preserve both the look and sound of your...
- The adult or kids violin, like most band & orchestra musical instruments, is delicate. Please note the bridge will not be setup to avoid damage during...
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Childhood is a time for exploration and adventure, and as children become pre-teens, many develop an interest in the violin. This interest doesn’t spontaneously lead to lessons; instead, parents need to take the initiative by finding a violin and making sure their child continues practicing.
Pros :
- Lightweight
- Extremely durable and features a beautiful varnish
- Comes with a bow and case
Cons :
- Not as durable.
- Some people find it difficult to use.
- Some students require more time and practice than others due to individual difference factors (age, skill level, practice schedule) or cultural reasons (there are some cultural standards which make it difficult for certain people).
4. Stentor, 4-String Violin (1550 4/4)
- Hand crafted from nicely figured solid tonewoods with fine-grained Spruce top
- Solid maple back
- Full ebony fittings
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Saint-Saens wrote several pieces for the harpsichord and piano such as “Danse Macabre” and “The Carnival of the Animals”. The Saint-Saens Violin is a unique instrument with a unique sound.
Pros :
- Unique model
- Great for ensemble playing
- Easy to play
- Expressive tone
Cons :
- Carved out of a single piece of wood (construction not permanent)
- No chin-rest
- Made in Germany
- Soundboard is thin
5. D Z Strad Model 220 Violin with Dominant strings, bow, case, rosin, and shoulder rest – Open Clear Tone (4/4 – Size)
- Features boxwood or Ebony fittings including pegs, tailpiece, chinrest, and end button with an Ebony fingerboard
- This outfit includes a case, a brazil wood bow, shoulder rest, and rosin. Setup with Dominant strings
- Warm and round tone, playability, hand-feel and consistency will keep you motivated.
- Englemann Spruce top with Maple back and sides
- A favorite among Suzuki and other private teachers
Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Not only does the D Z Strad Violin have an attractive, detailed appearance, but it also has a quality sound that anyone will love. The strings are made of Dominant synthetic material that produces a smooth tone.
Pros :
- Well built
- Provides great sound
- Comes with everything you need (stand, shoulder rest, rosin)
- Strings are durable and last longer than other brands
Cons :
- String tension is too tight for beginners
- Product may be too shiny for some tastes
Conclusion :
The best intermediate violin is the Yamaha YAS-23. It delivers a responsive performance that feels natural and effortless, providing musicians with a high-quality instrument that allows them to play effortlessly. It has an eye-catching appearance and comes equipped with features such as an ebony fingerboard, German spruce soundpost, and ebony fittings.
Alongside its five-piece maple/walnut/figured maple scroll patterned maple neck and 20 frets, this violin should last you years of performances without needing any repairs or replacements.
FAQ:
Q: What are the best violin pieces?
A: Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending (1914) Beethoven: Violin Concerto (1806) Paganini: Caprices (1802-1817) Bach: Violin Partita No. 2 (1717-1720) Vivaldi: The Four Seasons (c1617) Elgar: Violin Concerto (1910) Prokofiev Sonata No. 2 (1942,arr. for violin 1943) John Williams: Schindler’s List theme (1993) Strauss: Four Last Songs Haydn: String Quartets
Q: What is the best violin song?
A: ‘Meditation’ is so exquisite because it shows the incredible emotional range of the violin. And, somehow, it manages to retain all its melancholy in the cheery key of D major. If playback doesn’t begin shortly, try restarting your device. Videos you watch may be added to the TV’s watch history and influence TV recommendations.
Q: Is violin music and flute music the same thing?
A: This Adagio in A minor is the third movement of Italian Baroque composer Arcangelo Corelli’s Violin Sonata No. 3 in C major, which was originally published in 1700 as part of his 12 Violin Sonatas, Op. 5. 1. 3.
Q: How to learn music theory for the violin?
A: Beat – A repeating pulse that underlies a musical pattern Meter – A specific pattern of strong and weak pulses Time Signature – The number of beats per measure Tempo (BPM) – Indicates how fast or slow a piece of music plays Strong and Weak Beats – Strong beats are the downbeats,and weak beats are the offbeats between the downbeats