How to Make a Foam Violin
For many parents and students, renting or purchasing a violin may prove a costly experiment. Foam violins have become a popular alternative to authentic instruments for young children and beginners who wish to test their attraction and enthusiasm for the instrument before making a financial investment. The sizing charts for violin and bows provide valuable information for performers looking to create their own foam violins. Constructing a realistic, accurately sized foam violin can be accomplished quickly and efficiently.
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Instructions
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Obtain foam paneling that exceeds the dimensions of the violin size you are planning on reconstructing. Websites such as McCabe's Guitar Shop, Borman Violins and Gusset Violins include measurements for violins of all sizes. Younger children often use smaller violins due to their smaller stature.
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Create a stencil in the shape of the violin body using thick poster board and a sharp knife. If you already own a violin, use the instrument to create your stencil by outlining it on the poster board using a marker or dark pen. The length measurements for the violin are the most crucial and relevant for constructing your foam violin. If you do not own a violin, sketch the instrument on your poster board, ensuring that you match exactly the distance between the violin's tailpiece and scroll, as illustrated in the previously mentioned measurement guides.
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Place the poster board outline of the violin on the foam paneling and cut around it using the sharp knife. Place the foam paneling on a hard surface before beginning, in order to minimize surface damage as a result of the knife cutting through the foam. Remove the violin shape from the foam.
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Adjust the width of your foam violin relative to the sizing charts using the knife. After adjusting the violin body to the appropriate size, use the knife to create a noticeably thinner foam strip in the area corresponding to the neck of the violin. This level of detail will allow users to get an accurate feel for the actual mechanics of the violin.
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Test the sizing of the violin by placing the wider end of the instrument between the chin and left shoulder and stretching the arm underneath the instrument to the scroll. The violinist should be able to comfortably hold the scroll without having to stretch her arm.
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Cut a long, thin piece of foam out of the paneling to use as a violin bow. For full size violins, this section should be approximately 29 inches in length. Although bow sticks vary in shape from round to octagonal, any construction design will suit your foam bow.
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Tips & Warnings
It is not uncommon for beginning violin students to practice rudimentary technique on foam violins. Do not let the "mock" nature of your instrument dissuade you from studying proper form and motions. The Suzuki method of violin instruction sells a variety of method books and publications on beginning violin technique with foam instruments.
If you are unfamiliar with proper violin technique, make a conscious effort to relax the muscles in your shoulders, arm and back during practice. Muscle tension can lead to a variety of physical problems, some of which can permanently end a violinist's career prospects.
References
Resources
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