Instrument Sizing for Violin and Viola
For children, string instruments are available in smaller or fractional
sizes, to allow for students to acquire technique on an instrument that
suits the length of their arms and fingers. As a student grows, so should
the size of the instrument they study on.
For violins, sizes begin at the 1/32 size, and continue in increments as follows:
1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 7/8, and 4/4, or a full-size violin. These sizes
do not actually correspond to the true sizes of the instruments. For example,
a 1/16 size is actually about half the size of a full size violin.
Small violas are available in 11, 12, 13, and 14-inch lengths.
POSTURE • INSTRUMENT SIZING • INSTRUMENT POSITION
BOW HOLD • BOW STROKE • INTERMEDIATE RIGHT HAND SKILLS • ADVANCED RIGHT HAND SKILLS
LEFT HAND POSITION • SHIFTING • VIBRATO • ADVANCED LEFT HAND SKILLS