How much does a violin cost for a beginner?

Well, that depends on which one you get!

I always suggest that beginners rent an instrument at first, and there are a few reasons for this. First, renting is more affordable than buying. Rental fees vary depending on your area, but here on the East Coast of the US, it’s about $40 per month, and many shops give discounts for first time renters. If you rent, you’ll get to play on a decent quality instrument, rather than a VSO, or violin shaped object, and the store will be more likely to help you out with repairs and string changes. Many stores also offer a rent to own program where a portion of your rental fees will go towards the purchase of an instrument if you so choose.

However, I understand that not everyone can access a shop and some just prefer to buy. When buying an instrument, I highly recommend purchasing one from a reputable violin shop rather than Amazon. Some examples of these shops are Fiddlershop, Kennedy Violins, Shar Music, Terra Nova Violins, and Robertson Violins. Several of my students play on instruments from Fiddlershop, and not only are they excellent quality but also have great customer service. The most affordable option is this one for $250.

If that’s a bit too big of an investment right now, there are several cheaper options available on Amazon, but please keep in mind these will likely not be great quality. I personally would choose to save up for a little while so that I could purchase from a more reputable shop, but if a $40 or $50 violin from Amazon is truly all that you can afford, that’s totally ok. One of my previous teachers instilled in me that you should be able to make any violin sound good.

How much did you pay for your violin? Leave a comment and let me know!