What Is a Violin Outfit?
For those interested in studying a musical instrument, begin by obtaining a beginner's set, or "outfit," for that instrument. As of July 2010, a violin outfit could run you anywhere from $99 to $1,500, according to the website "All Things Strings: A Player's Guide." Proper violin outfits contain everything you need to start learning to play violin, including the instrument itself, a case, a bow and violin rosin. Unfortunately, lessons don't typically come along with an outfit.
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Violin
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Finding a good student violin is harder than you would think; balancing an affordable price with a quality instrument can prove difficult. Go to a music store and speak with an expert. If you order a violin online without holding it first, you run the risk of buying a lemon. To ensure that it suits you, hold a new violin before purchasing it.
Case
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Even if you have an exceptional violin, you're out of luck without a decent case. A new violin should fit snugly in the case to prevent it from coming to harm in the future. Hard shell cases offer the most durability and protection, though they cost more than softer cases. Softer cases are lighter to carry but don't offer as much shielding as hard cases.
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Bow
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The quality of the bow in an outfit is equally as important as the quality of the violin. A shoddy bow can lead to poor sound quality, even out of a well-crafted violin. Student violin outfits often come with fiberglass bows rather than wooden bows, since wooden bows are more costly, although some fiberglass bows rival their wooden counterparts in quality.
Rosin
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Rosin is a substance made of pine sap that violinists apply to the bow; it creates friction between the fibers of the bow and the violin strings. You might not necessarily prefer the type of rosin that comes with a first violin outfit. Darker rosin is softer and stickier, and it often produces a rougher sound; lighter resin is harder and less tacky. Trial and error will allow you to choose the best type of rosin for you.
Accessories
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Not all setups come with accessories, since accessories for violins are readily available. Digital tuners and shoulder rests may come along with an outfit, as well as hygrometers and humidifiers (items used to control humidity levels), which usually come built into the case. If the case doesn't come with a hygrometer or humidifier, look for these items elsewhere. Violins are made of wood, a material susceptible to fluctuations of humidity.
Considerations
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If you plan to purchase a professional violin in the near future, don't spend huge amounts of money on a student violin. Don't limit yourself to one music store; investigate others in the area, and compare prices and features. A violin outfit should suit the individual needs of the player, so if you want a hard shell case and a fiberglass bow, don't settle for anything less. Every budding violinists can have their needs met if they do their research.
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References
- Photo Credit violin in garden image by e-pyton from Fotolia.com
