Violins

I would recommend contacting the Jacksonville Youth Orchestra (http://www.jaxsymphony.org/jsyo/index.php) for local recommendations. Many youth orchestras keep a list of all the teachers that have students performing in the orchestra, so they may be able to help you find someone to study with. As a violin teacher myself, in the Orlando area, I’d suggest finding and interviewing a teacher and then getting his or her recommendations on purchasing an instrument locally. They will be able to give you valuable advice as to where to go and what to buy. Please don’t think too cheap, as with a violin you definitely get what you pay for. Over the years I’ve seen my beginners’ success often very strongly correlate with the quality of the first instrument. Could you imagine investing all that money for lessons, and many many hours of practice time with no hope of ever sounding very good because the instrument is not capable of sounding good? It is a fallacy that it is fine to start off with a $100 violin and then move up when progress comes. Progress will happen much faster with a better quality instrument.

Understand, though, that you shouldn’t go to your local music dealer and buy their $900 beginner violin. If you have that kind of money to spend, then get advice from a teacher as to how to spend it and you can get something even better. But you can often get the $900 Scherl & Roth or Glaesel that a local deal might have for a couple hundred dollars less online. Or even better, if you are willing to buy a used instrument in good condition, you may be able to find it through consignment or craigslist.org for $300-400 – sometimes even less.

In short, get help in purchasing an instrument. Do not give anyone any money until a professional has assessed the instrument for you.