Hi,

I need a first violin, price range 200-380ish, would like a complete outfit.

So far looking at

http://www.gligaviolins.com/OutfitIn.php?I=A1309&B=V044CHOS&C=NoCase&T=T035&SB=SB021&WS=NoStatue

Would the "Gems2" be good enough to take me into the intermediate years? I do NOT want to be limited if possible with progress....

also

http://www.music123.com/Florea-Alexandria-Violin-Outfit-i14562.music?t=4#tab

Is this a decent violin that will take one maybe into intermediate territory.

I play piano and classical guitar already fairly well, thanks, any thoughts or other suggestions welcome

I don`t know anything about the Florea. The Gems is very hard to beat in tis price range and is more than good enough for your needs.

Liz

I already ordered a gems and sold one of my older ibanez`s to help pay for it. What the heck, only live once.

Thx liz and booka for comments.

Go somewhere that allows trade-ins, because beginner instruments are grown out of fast.

Quality of instruments affects how fast you pick up on many things, and better instruments introduce things that beginner ones lack. Get the best instrument you can afford, because it will only speed up your learning. Then again, if you`re not even sure you want to persue it, a cheaper one might be best.

...that wasn`t much help.. srry.

wesley.. i ended up getting a decent one... thx!

Hi! I know I`m months late...but if anyone still needs advice...here it is. I`ve played violin for 21 years...and I`ve owned my share of instruments. Now I have my German baby! I`ve also done some teaching. Although people say to buy a student violin at first...it is actually very difficult to learn on a student violin..they have horrible problems! If you are serious about playing violin, it is advisable to purchase a quality violin...nothing too crazy, mind you,...but go with a teacher and choose one that suits you, your body type, and has a good tone. It will make it so much easier to learn the technique, if you have an instrument that doesn`t hold you back. Yes, you will spend a couple thousand dollars (!), but if you are really serious about learning violin, and are willing to put the practice time into it...within a couple of years, you`d be upgrading your violin anyway. Why not start on a quality violin, so when you do upgrade, you are actually able to upgrade to a violin worth your ability? It is what I recommend. I started on the run-of-the-mill student violin. I was poor, and took what I could get. In the end, I had to relearn so many things...and when through a lot of frustration trying to learn things that the violin simply would not do. If you have to start on a student violin, then do it. Do anything to play. But, don`t let yourself learn bad technique to overcome the problems of the violin. Playing things the wrong way just to get the right sound out of a bad violin, will only leave you unable to play a good violin with ease, and it will leave you very frustrated when you enter more complicated technique. We learn things in music a certain way for a reason! Yes, my friends. Scales are very important...fingered just they way the teacher says. So, good luck! If you are beginning your journey in music...I wish you the very best journey possible!

What brands would you recommend. I am looking for something around £500, which is $1000 US. I would prefer a German made. I simply admire German workmanship. But any other European one I am also welcome to advice. I have played till Grade 4, then left it for around 4 years. I have decided to go back to play the violin. And require a full size violin. I also wouldn`t mind looking into electric ones. But as you can see i need some advice.

The Germans just don`t compete in that price range any more. Get a Gliga.

Liz