Orchestral Stringed Instrument Sizing For Students Size Chart

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Orchestral Stringed Instrument Sizing for Students
Sizing for Violin
1/ it is necessary to establish the distance
Violins come in eight sizes: 4/4 (full size),
between the neck and middle of the left-
3/4 size, 1/2 size, 1/4 size, 1/8 size, 1/10
hand palm (with hand fully extended and
size, and 1/16 size (1/32 size violins are
available, but much less common).
raised perpendicular to the body, just like
holding a violin).
Almost all adults use a full size violin (4/4
size). There is another less common size,
2/ some teachers prefer to use the
the 7/8 size violin, used by violinists who
distance from the neck to the wrist
want a full size violin sound, but whose
instead.
hands are either too small for a full size
violin, or whose hands have a reduced
The violin size determined by the neck to
capacity for reach and grip. The 7/8 size
wrist
method
would
be
the
more
violin is midway between a 3/4 size violin
comfortable for students to hold, whereas
and a full size violin, accommodating the
the violin size determined by the neck to
needs of these violinists.
mid-palm measurement would indicate the
biggest size students should use.
Arm Length
Violin Size
If you have a teacher, you should ask for
24"
610mm
4/4 size violin
your teacher's recommendation. If you
don't
have
a
teacher,
we
would
22.5" 572mm
3/4 size violin
recommend using the neck/wrist approach
21"
533mm
1/2 size violin
for students not using full size. For
students who are deciding whether to
19"
483mm
1/4 size violin
used 3/4 or 4/4 size, use the neck/mid-
palm approach. This is because it is
18"
457mm
1/8 size violin
always
better
that
a
student
feels
16.5" 419mm
1/10 size violin
comfortable holding and playing the violin.
15"
380mm
1/16 size violin
The violin sizing chart to the left lists the
arm length for each violin size. Find your
length using your preferred approach and
Violin Size Chart: Using Arm
use that to determine the size of violin to
Measurements for Violin Sizes
get.
There are 2 options to establish which size
of violin is most suitable.
Sizing for viola
Viola sizes refer to the actual length of the
the student is comfortable holding and
instrument's body, in inches. The largest
playing
the
instrument
or
physical
common size is 16.5". Adults generally
problems may develop.
play a 15.5" to 16.5" viola.
Please note that there are different
Violas, being larger than violins, are
methods of sizing a viola, so if your
measured to be a little bit over-sized for
teacher has a recommendation, you
the player. That said, it is important that
should follow your teacher's advice.

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