Renting an instrument from the local music store is one of the best ways to find a good quality instrument in addition to giving students ownership and responsibility for caring for the instrument.
Students are motivated by sound so look for a high-quality instrument that matches the student's ability. For example, when looking for a student who has two or more years of experience, look for an intermediate/advanced student model instead of a beginner model.
Students who need to borrow a school instrument may complete a Instrument Scholarship Essay to apply to receive a school instrument. Instructions will be given to students in class and posted in the google classroom.
Rental information: Please contact the local music stores for rental prices. An instrument that is too large or too small is not only difficult to play but harmful to student's health, so please make sure to get the correct size of the instrument for the student. To find the appropriate sized violin, have the student extend the left arm out so that their arm is the same level as their shoulder with the palm facing upwards. Starting from one inch from the neck, measure out to the center of the palm. Then, refer to the following size chart or ask the local music store to measure:
STUDENT'S ARM LENGTH FOR VIOLIN/VIOLA:
1) 14-15.5" arm length
2) 15.5'17"
3) 17-18.5"
4) 18.5-20.5"
5) 20.5-22"
6) 22-23.5"
7) 23.5-24.5"
8) 25-25.25
9) 66 cm- arm length for full size viola
VIOLIN/VIOLA SIZE:
1) 1/16 violin
2) 1/10 violin
3) 1/8 violin
4) 1/4 violin
5) 1/2 violin or 12" viola
6) 3/4 violin or 13" viola
7) 14" violin or 15" viola
8) 15.5" viola
9) 16" viola or full size viola
MUSIC STORES:
ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENTS:
Heaney Violins, Mountain View, CA
Ifshin Violins, El Cerrito, CA (East Bay)
Kamimoto String Instruments, San Jose, CA
Ken Su Violins, San Mateo, CA
Palo Alto Violins, 650-327-8465, 420 Olive Ave. Palo Alto, CA, 94306
Peninsula Music and Repair, Palo Alto, CA
fiddleguy.com, Steve Jones, Stringed Instrument Restoration and Sales, 650-575-1115
Sono Strings, Mountain View, CA
West Valley Music Store , Mountain View (all types of instruments for purchase, rentals, music, and more).
GUITAR:
Gryphon Stringed Instruments (guitars only)
The Starving Musician (guitar and orchestra)
West Valley Music Store , Mountain View, CA (all types of instruments for purchase, rentals, music, and more).
ONLINE RESOURCES FOR PURCHASING AN INSTRUMENT:
Strings Magazine buying guide The strings magazine also offers a wealth of information about how to choose a bow, choosing different brands of strings, traveling with your instrument, and articles about string players. There's also valuable instrument in teen Strings magazine for role models, student aspirations, and instruments.
Please do not purchase instruments from the internet unless verified from a reliable online dealer or a local Luthier and/or shop recommended by a private studio teacher. These are reputable and good Luthiers and vendors to start the search:
Shar Music, reputable online dealer
Southwest Strings, reputable online dealer
Strings by Mail, reputable online vendor for replacing strings
Heaney Violins, Mountain View, CA
Sono Strings, Mountain View, CA
J.K. White Violins, Santa Clara, CA
Ifshin Violins, Berkeley, CA
BayfineStrings, San Francisco, CA
Jesse Maschemeyer Violins and Services, San Francisco, CA
Carruthers Violins, Santa Rosa, CA
Benning Violins, Los Angeles, CA
Cauer Violins, Los Angeles, CA
Linda West Cellos, Los Angeles, CA
Clemens Violins, Luthier in St. Louis, Missouri
Bein & Fushi, Chicago, IL
Carl Becker and Son, Chicago, IL
Orchestral central For the buying guide, click on the instrument of your choice. There are also reviews, resources and recommendation for strings, music and interesting articles.