3/4 violins for sale in Canada
A 3/4 is the size most students play between roughly nine and twelve, and for many it is the last step before a full size instrument. We carry handmade Gliga violins in 3/4 at every level, from a first proper instrument at $398 through to Maestro, all made in Romania and set up by hand in our West Vancouver shop before they ship.
Is your child ready for a 3/4?
Size is decided by arm length, not by age — children of the same age vary enormously. Have them hold the left arm straight out to the side, and measure from the base of the neck to the middle of the palm. Roughly 22 to 23½ inches, or 56 to 60 cm, means a 3/4.
If the measurement falls short, a 1/2 size violin is the one below. If it is already past 23½ inches, go straight to a full size 4/4 and skip this step. It is tempting to buy a size up so the instrument lasts longer, and it is worth resisting: a violin that is too big makes the left hand stretch, the shoulder tense, and everything harder than it needs to be. Send us the measurement if you are unsure and we will tell you honestly which we would put them on.
Choosing a level
Gliga makes one continuous range, so each step up is a real difference in wood, workmanship and set-up rather than a change of supplier. Our guide to violin prices in Canada sets out what each level costs at every size, including what to budget for a bow and case.
- Genial 1 — the beginner violin, and the right instrument for a first year of lessons
- Gems 2 — a step up in wood and set-up, for a student who is staying with it
- Gems 1 — intermediate; noticeably warmer, and the usual choice for a child in graded exams
- Gama — advanced; for a young player working seriously on tone
- Maestro — hand-carved throughout, for a gifted student or a small-framed adult
Most families start at Genial 1 or Gems 2. A 3/4 is usually outgrown within two or three years, which is worth weighing against how much to spend — though a good one holds its value and is easy to pass on.
Bows, cases and left-handed
Come and try them
Our shop is in West Vancouver, by Park Royal, with easy access from the Lions Gate Bridge and Highway 1. Bring your child in and we will measure them properly and let them play several instruments side by side.
Ordering from elsewhere in Canada
If you are not within reach of the shop, violins ship anywhere in Canada from $65, arrive in seven to ten business days, and every parcel is tracked. Tell us your child's arm measurement and their level and we will recommend one.
There is then a seven-day home trial from the day it arrives — enough time to take it to a lesson and let the teacher see it under your child's chin. If the size or the instrument is not right, send it back for a refund less the shipping.
