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Choosing the right size instrument

Violins comes in a variety of different sizes: 4/4, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/10, 1/16, and 1/32. Full size is obviously the biggest and 1/32 size is the smallest. All adults, regardless of their size, use the 4/4 violin. When choosing an instrument one needs to measure the left arm whilst holding the violin/viola in playing position. With the left arm stretched out and palm facing up the scroll of the instrument should touch the base of your hand. Curl your middle two fingers around the scroll, if ths is done with ease and with a slightly bent elbow the instrument should be suiatable. In some cases the arm length is fine but some of us have short fingers, in this case a smaller violin/viola would suit. Many children are right in between two sizes, in this case you should consider that they do go through growth phases and may outgrow a size in 6 months. In that case, you may want to choose the larger size.

Another more general way of determining the size is by age, you can use the age chart below to make a rough determination. Bare in mind everyone is different, the size will vary depending on height, build, finger length, arm length, etc.