Instrument Fitting

Which size Instrument do I need?

Violins and cellos are available in full size (4/4) which is suitable for most secondary school children and adults right down to 1/16 (for pre schoolers). Most infant children in our experience will need a 1/8-1/4 size instrument with juniors moving up to ½-3/4 size. Children don’t come in standard sizes though so please refer to our useful size charts page for guidance. Viola sizing is a little different as they come in “inches” rather than “sizes” the largest tending to be 16 ½ “ down to 15” although smaller sizes are readily available for children.

We realise that not everyone has access to an instrument to check the size before they buy so here are some tips to help you get it right:

Be guided by what your teacher says, they will probably know which size your child needs.
Avoid buying an instrument that is too big so your child can grow in to it as it will feel heavy and cumbersome to play. This can slow down any musical progress.

Here is an alternative way of measuring for a new violin or viola:

Extend left arm out towards the front with no bend at the elbow or wrist (don’t over extend your elbow)
Measure from:

The base of the neck to the centre of the palm
The base of the neck to the wrist (where the skin creases)
Now use your measurements to select the correct size instrument using either the violin or viola charts below.

Measurement 1. Shows the largest size violin that your child could manage.
Measurement 2. Shows the most comfortable/suitable size.

Violin Chart

Age	Arm length	Violin size	Violins available in this size
3-5	42 cm	1/8	P200 – Vivente Stentor Conservatoire
4-7	47 cm	1/4	P200 – Vivente Stentor Conservatoire
6-10	51 cm	1/2	P200 – Vivente Stentor Conservatoire
9-11	56 cm	3/4	P200 – Vivente Stentor Conservatoire
11+	58.5 cm	4/4	P200 – Vivente Stentor Conservatoire Veracini – Young Master Stentor maste

*Please note this is intended as a guide only, some children are larger or smaller than average

Viola Chart

Age	Arm length	Viola size	Violas available in this size
6-7	51 cm	12″	P200
7-9	54.6 cm	13″	P200 – Vivente
9-12	59 cm	14″	P200 – Vivent Stentor Conservatoire
10-12	63 cm	15″	P200 – Vivente Stentor Conservatoire Venezia
12-Adult	63-64 cm	15.5″	P200 – Vivente Stentor Conservatoire Venezia
13-Adult	66+ cm	16″	P200 – Vivente Stentor Conservatoire Venezia
13-Adult	66+ cm	16.5″	P200 – Stentor Conservatoire

*Please note this is intended as a guide only, some children are larger or smaller than average

Fitting a violin:

Put the violin on your left shoulder (as if you are about to play it)
Extend your left arm and reach your fingers around the end of the scroll (the curly bit at the very end)
Your left elbow should be slightly bent (not more than 90 degrees)

Too Small

Too Big

Correct

Fitting a cello:

Sit on suitable chair near to the front, with your feet flat on the floor. Your knees should be bent at 90 degrees
The “C” tuning peg should be near to your left ear
The sides of your knees should be touching the lower curved edges of the cello
The back of the cello should rest on your chest (breast bone or sternum)

Age	Cello size	Cellos available in this size
4-6	1/8	P200 – Vivente
5-7	1/4	P200 – Vivente
7-11	1/2	P200 – Vivente
9-13	3/4	P200 – Vivente
13+	4/4	Piacenza – P200 – Vivente Veracini – Westbury Concertante – Arcadia

*Please note this is intended as a guide only, some children are larger or smaller than average

Testimonials

I just bought my first violin at the age of 44 from this lovely Lady. I didn't know what to buy or who to take lessons from! Marina was so full of knowledge and walked me through the whole process so when it came time to choose the right violin, I felt confident in what I chose. She also put me on to a great teacher that is so good and I am enjoying my new adventure. My violin teacher keeps complimenting me on the violin and all that I got with it, so that just confirms to me what a wonderful job Marina did for me. She is always there when I have a question and I even get texts asking how I am doing. I would highly recommend Faversham strings for any purchases as it has been a pleasure and I have appreciated the extra attention she gives.

Thank you for Eliza's beautiful new violin. She really loves it and asked me to tell you that she particularly loves the soulful sound it makes. It really is an absolutely beautiful instrument, thank you for the time you spent preparing it.

I recently purchased a cello through Faversham Strings for my 9 year old daughter. It was a big decision to make due to the price and making sure my daughter had a commitment to continuing with her lessons.

I asked Marina many questions about prices, re sale value and quality. My questions were answered honestly and I was given additional information about strings, sound quality, insurance etc.

My daughter Charlotte has been so pleased to have her own cello and I can really tell the difference in sound from the one she was borrowing, it is a much smoother, richer sound.

I would thoroughly recommend buying an instrument from Faversham Strings. I know if any problems arose I would be able to ask Marina her advice and it would be readily given.

I am a regular customer at Faversham Strings and have found the help, advice and quality of work invaluable. Marina has worked on a lot of student instruments for me,some of which have been in a sorry state and have come back looking and sounding wonderful. Excellent work, helpful advice, always very informative on the work done and affordable.

Quite a few of my students have now bought violins and violas from Faversham Strings and it is always good to know that they have been properly and professionally set up and produce a lovely tone. I have also had a lot of work done in my own viola which I was very pleased with.

Liam is absolutely over the moon with his new cello which we bought recently from Faversham Strings. Marina kindly took the time show me an example of the cello we were looking to order and discussed options for string upgrades that she felt best suited the instrument. The end result is a cello which, for a student instrument, looks and sounds comparable to some much more expensive cellos we’d seen. The service and attention to detail we received from Marina was second to none and I wouldn’t hesitate to wholeheartedly recommend Faversham Strings.