Shopping for beginning violin, viola, cello, or bass players doesn't have to be as daunting as it may seem. If you are a parent, aunt or uncle, or just a friend of a beginner or someone who wants to start playing a stringed instrument, you may have noticed that there's a lot of stuff you need to get started, and infinite variations of each! Yes, Shar Music carries thousands of different items for string players, but this guide should help you narrow down the whole catalog to a few really great gift options, and at varying price ranges. Whether you want to buy a big gift or a stocking stuffer, there's something here that will help you check a name off your list!
1. Buying someone's first instrument. ($300 - $3100)
Giving someone their first instrument is a big deal! Many string players remember getting their first violin as a gift and can still recall the excitement of that moment. A modest first instrument is often enough to get a beginner started, as long as it's properly set up. That's not always the case for buyers looking to save money elsewhere. Today there are lots of places you can go to find a "violin" or other instrument at a good price, but the risk greatly outweighs the chance of getting a deal.
A few years back, a very excited mother proudly entered our store, presented our team with an instrument she had bought through an online marketplace, and asked if we could tune it for her and set up the bridge. Our staff happily opened the case and got started, but within seconds, realized that what she had bought was nothing but a "violin shaped object" - untunable, unplayable, and unreturnable... She was understandably very disappointed, but was grateful once we were able to set her up with a great violin to put under the tree, and for flexible rental options!
The lesson to be learned is that you'd better get the approval of a respected teacher or player before clicking submit on an online order! Luckily, thanks to our intense requirements and local setup process, all of our beginner instruments at Shar Music have the approval of thousands of teachers nationwide, and are always suitable as a first instrument. This makes it easy for first time buyers to take the leap. A satisfactory beginning violin will usually cost between $300 and $700. Beginning violas run a bit higher, from about $380 to $740. Beginning cellos (roughly $1250 to $2,400) and beginning basses (roughly $2,350 to $3,350) tend to range higher due to the large size. Prices are subject to change.
Lastly, if you are buying a first instrument, you will obviously need a case and bow. If you see the word "outfit" it means that a case, bow, and rosin is included! This is essentially everything you need to start playing. Though a shoulder rest and method book are often recommended, those probably won't be chosen without a teacher's recommendation.
2. Upgraded strings for a beginner. ($30 - $200)
Buying strings as a gift for advanced or professional players is not something we recommend, unless you know exactly what strings they prefer, down to the type of metal used in the winding on each string! However, most beginners playing a rental or beginner-level instrument are going to be playing on standard economy-priced steel-core strings. This means almost any set of strings will be an upgrade. Something like a Dominant or Zyex set for violin or viola, Kaplan or Prim strings for cello, or Helicore strings for bass, can make playing much easier, and more fun. Higher quality strings will offer easier response, and better tone. If you're not sure whether new strings are a good idea or not, call their teacher, and they will probably say, "Yes, please!" They may even have their own recommendation.
3. Fun Rosin. (under $25)
Smaller gifts under $25 are what we consider "stocking stuffers," which are almost always safe, and won't break the bank. First of all, rosin is a great gift. There's not much bad rosin out there (we certainly don't carry any), and even the really really good stuff isn't that expensive. Novelty rosins, like Magic Rosin, might seem like you are buying a toy, but they are actually very high quality rosin! Rosining your bow is a daily task for string players, and sometimes it helps to add a little fun to the routine. Are you buying for someone with fancier tastes? Check out Leatherwood Rosin, a favorite premium option, or browse the full rosin collection for more!
4. Other stocking stuffers! (under $25)
There are more options for inexpensive and easy gifts than we can cover in one blog, so we'll highlight a few. If you are looking for sheet music for a beginner, you can sort all of our sheet music by difficulty, instrument, or genre, and just browse!
Colorful shoulder rests for violinist or violists are just a few simple ways to give students more pride in their instrument and playing! Music-themed gifts like pencil pouches, stickers, cups, pins, and jewelry are also fun to bring to school and show off their love for music! Browse our full gift collection for string players for more ideas!
