Bartók: (44) Duos for Two Violins

Advantages: Well worth learning
Disadvantages: can be a bit of a minefield.

..., are louder but the nylon ones are easier on the fingers - I'd ercomend nylon for children especialy if you don't want to be able to hear them practising. You do occasionally come across gut strings still. I don't recomend these - they are very tempermental, go out of tune regularly, break easily and are very thick and consequentally quite difficult to play. Again prices vary but as with all things what you get is what you pay for. Rosin - you will have to buy this seperatly, but your bow won't work without it. it only costs a few pounds and lasts for eyars.Ask your music shop for some - the odds are they will only have one or two types so little decision makign is called for. Case - make sure you have a hard case that will hold your violin securely. Many violins will come with one. If the case is second hand, check all the hinges... Read review

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Advantages: Potentially beautiful sound
Disadvantages: The squealy noises to start off with

...including classical, but also covering a lot of different folk music (Irish, Hungarian, Chinese etc), many jazzy styles of pieces, and even pop music. I recently saw a music video on MTV of a guy playing violin to a pop song in the rain, although I can't remember the title. So the violin is to suit anyone with taste in a wide range of music. What size do I need? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As with any instrument, no musical knowledge is required to start playing, just a good teacher is the best thing to have. Violins are available in lots of different sizes, for adults, 4/4 (full size, then 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, 1/16, and even 1/32 are available. Sizes down to 1/8 should be available from most music shops, the two smaller sizes normally rewuire, specialist violin shops are required. It is important that the correct size is used, if not playability... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Have fun, great sense of achievement, opportunity to travel abroad
Disadvantages: cost, time to practise!

...I am one in a long line of a VERY musical family so I count myself lucky that I could have help from my mother (who is a very respected teacher of violin, piano, singing and theory lessons in Basingstoke and surrounding areas). I first started to learn at the age of 3 but after a few lessons of me hiding under a chair and refusing to come out whilst sitting on my hands my mum decided to take matters into her own hands and teach me herself. I have always been encouraged greatly by both my parents, my uncle and aunt and my granparents and my "talents" are still being pursued. One of the things that parents start to worry about when their child/children start to show a certain "attachment" to playing a musical instrument such as the violin is that every so often you have to purchase a new one due to the size of your child. I started... Read review

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