The importance of a child
using the correct size of instruent canot be over
stressed. Man parents, (and occasionally teachers),
advocate buying a slightly larger instrument than
would be correct, on the grounds that the child will
grow into it. The same people would probably be horrified
if a clothing or shoe shop had the same policy.
VIOLIN
SIZE |
AGE |
BACK |
4/4 |
9
- adult |
14
- 14 1/8" |
3/4 |
8
- 11 |
13
- 13 1/4" |
1/2 |
6
- 10 |
12
1/4 - 12 1/2" |
1/4 |
4
- 7 |
11
- 11 1/4" |
1/8 |
3
- 5 |
10
- 10 3/8" |
1/10 |
3
- 5 |
9
- 9 3/8" |
1/16 |
3
- 5 |
8
1/4 - 8 3/8" |
CELLO
SIZE |
AGE |
BACK |
4/4 |
12
- adult |
29
1/2 - 31 1/2" |
3/4 |
10
- 13 |
27
1/4 - 27 1/2" |
1/2 |
9
- 11 |
24
3/4 - 25 1/2" |
Violin:
The instrument should be held by the
student in the playing position. An instrument of
the correct size will allow the player to extend their
left arm and comfortably cover the scroll with their
hand, without stressing the elbow.
Viola:
The same rules apply as for violin,
except to say the violas are not sized in fractions.
An adult would play a viola with a back length of
anything between 15 and 16 3/4 inches. A14" viola
(roughl te same back lengt as a violin) is often calld
a 3/4 size, and a 13" viola (approximately the
same back size as a 3/4 size violin) may ( incorrectly!)
be referred to as a 1/2 size. 12" violas (about
the same size as a 1/2 size violin) are often referred
to as 1/4 size.
/
courtesy of Stentor
