Getting violin size right matters more than most people expect. If it’s too big, a student — child or adult — ends up fighting tension and bad habits before technique has a chance to develop properly. If it’s too small, kids will outgrow it fast, and adults may find their movement feels cramped. This is how I approach sizing with the students I teach through violin lessons in Mounds View.
Age Is a Starting Point, Not the Answer
A helpful thing to know: violin size isn’t really about age — it’s about proportions. Arm length, finger length, and shoulder width all vary a lot between students of the same age, and any of the three can mean a smaller size is actually the better fit, even for an older child or an adult.
What I Actually Check
Arm length. The student’s left arm shouldn’t have to reach too far to reach around the violin comfortably.
Finger length. Shorter fingers need a smaller instrument to reach comfortably across the fingerboard.
Shoulder width. A narrower shoulder often means a smaller size feels more natural, regardless of age.
Arm angle. With the violin in playing position, the student’s left arm should have a slight, comfortable bend at the elbow — not locked straight, and not sharply bent either. A straight arm means the violin is too big; a heavily bent arm with the elbow tucked in too close to the body means it’s too small.
When in Doubt, Size Down
If a violin is too big, it introduces tension — in the arm, wrist, shoulder, and fingers — before a student has even learned proper technique. When a student is between sizes, I recommend going smaller rather than larger.
A Real Example
One family was confident their daughter needed a half size. When I brought in a quarter size, my student said right away that it was so much easier to play. She’s playing with noticeably less tension since switching.
It’s Not Just Younger Kids
One of my students was preparing to audition for the top orchestra group at Mounds View High School and was working on an audition excerpt from Schubert’s “Unfinished” Symphony full of fast sixteenth notes that relied heavily on the pinky (fourth) finger. She was playing on a full-size violin and assumed that was simply what she needed to be on at her age. I brought in a 7/8 violin from home and asked her to try the passage on it instead. The difference was immediate — her fingers moved fast enough to keep up with the fourth-finger work in a way it couldn’t on the larger instrument. What surprised her most was that the 7/8 still sounded like her old full-size violin. Being older, or being close to full height, doesn’t automatically mean a full-size instrument is the right fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do students need to size up?
It depends on the student — growth rates vary a lot, so there’s no fixed schedule. I check sizing regularly and size up when the fit actually calls for it, not on a set timeline.
What if my child is between two sizes?
Always go with the smaller size. A slightly smaller violin is easier to play correctly than one that’s too big.
Should I rent or buy?
That’s a big enough decision that it deserves its own answer — I cover it in the Renting vs. Owning a Violin post.
Getting Started in Mounds View
If you’re not sure what size violin you or your child needs, that’s exactly what a free intro is for — I’ll get the sizing right before you buy or rent anything.
Reach out to schedule.