Diane G Says:
Thursday, September 22, 2011 @8:57:20 PM

Hi. I'm a violin teacher here in SOCAL and I'm wondering why you would have bought a 3/4 violin when you have been playing a 4/4 (full size). A 3/4 violin is considered a fractional size fiddle...for younger people who cannot yet play on a 4/4 one. If your going back and forth between the full size and the 3/4, your in for a difficult time with intonation and you'll feel more cramped with the smaller violin I would think....
Just a suggestion. Diane

richdissmore Says:
Friday, September 23, 2011 @8:26:34 AM

hi pam they are nic looken teach your kids fiddle if there will to learn best of luck

LavaGirl Says:
Friday, September 23, 2011 @10:53:42 AM

Hi Diane,

I originally purchased the 3/4 for my youngest. But before it arrived, he decided he wanted to learn the banjo. So I played with it and fell in love to the point that I purchased the 4/4 version for me just this week. I had planned on selling two (first and third in the picture) until my son asked if he could play the 3/4. Now he is in love with it! My youngest wants to play "something" but he just hasn't figured out what he really wants. There are several instruments around the house he has the opportunity to try and enough of us who can show he a few things to see if it catches his interest. I give him another year or two and he will figure it out. It took my oldest about the same amount of time to really take a serious interest in playing guitar (which I must add he has talent for). Both of my boys love music.

My hands are small so the 3/4 was not hard for me to play. I haven't struggled too much going back and forth. But now with my new 4/4 Eastman, there is no going back to the 3/4 !!

LavaGirl Says:
Friday, September 23, 2011 @10:57:39 AM

Hey Rich,

I would love it if one my kids would fiddle with me! But one has a talent for playing guitar and started lessons this year. The other (the youngest) hasn't really decided what he wants but he was able to learn how to do banjo rolls quickly and this week he picked up the 3/4 Eastman and was able to play around with it without causing any squeaks. The youngest will find his way in due time !!

I am after my oldest for a picture so I can post it of him with his guitar !! Kids !!! :o)

Diane G Says:
Friday, September 23, 2011 @9:48:14 PM

Hi. Yes...a 3/4 is a kids size. BUT, there are special sizes for different age kids. How young is your son with the 3/4 fiddle? Here's the correct way to measure for a childs violin. Have them stand tall and up straight. Have them put out their left arm straight (the same angle they would be in playing the violin) out with the left hand palm facing upward. The elbow needs to be NOT BENT DOWN, but in a straight line with the rest of the left arm. Place the violin under the chin and extend the violin out to their left hand. Keep the elbow straight and the palm up. The end of scroll should NOT COME FURTHER THAN THE BASE of the thumb. It can however come back below the wrist and still be the appropriate size. If the end of the scroll comes past the thumb base into the finger area of the left hand then it's TOO BIG for that particular child and will be difficult for him/her to learn on and could cause injury to the arms, shoulder, back if it is TOO big. Southweststrings.com has a website that shows how to properly measure for violins for young people. Don't let him play with too large an instrument. I'm a violin teacher and my husband and I have a violin/string store here in SOCAL. Glad your enjoying your Eastman. Be sure to clean the strings and the top and back with a piece of flannel to remove the built-up rosin dust. Clean under the finger board and bridge as well. Stay tuned. DIane

LavaGirl Says:
Monday, September 26, 2011 @9:55:28 AM

Hi Diane,

Thank you for the advice and good information. Without measuring I am sure my son is borderline between the 3/4 and 4/4. I fully expect to be purchasing him a 4/4 should he really take an interest in learning to play (getting ready to blog about this subject today). My youngest is 9 years old.

The 3/4 Eastman I officially gave to my son last week when he spiked an interest (again) in learning after I received my new 4/4 Eastman. The beautiful thing about the 3/4 Eastman is the ease of playing it. Out of all the ones I have, it is far easier to play. I don't know what it is about the set up, but the instrument amazes me. With that in mind I definitely want my youngest to start with the 3/4 for a month or two so hopefully he will remain interested and find the enjoyment in learning to play.

I am very good about cleaning my strings and fiddle after playing. Even if I am in a hurry, I always take the few seconds to make sure it is clean so the next time I just have to pick it up and play! I don't like a dirty instrument !!! :o)

I still have my first guitar my father purchased for me for my 12th birthday. The instrument is in mint condition because I have always taken really good care of it. I was taught to respect your instrument so that your instrument will always play beautifully for you. My guitar is over 31 years old now. When people see it they are amazed.

Getting ready to update my blog ... lots of good stuff going on I can't wait to share. Again, thank you for your advice. Please keep jumping in and giving me your thoughts. I really appreciate it !!!

Diane G Says:
Monday, September 26, 2011 @5:53:01 PM

Hey LGirl. Your very welcome, I'm glad to help. Yes, if you have measured your son and the violin is not to big or too small...by all means get him transferred over to violin and NOT football. The violin will never kill him...just maybe frustrate him for awhile. Football is a very dangerous sport and as parents we some times just have to put our foot down and say: that 's enough of that sport. We have had three teenage boys here in SOCAL die from head trama because of football.
The fiddling is something he will have for life...the fiddle is so portable. Football can leave permanent scars and once school is over the game is gone! ...the violin activates the mind, the senses and it's definitely a fun trip and adventure. Stay tuned. Great blog by the way on your new posts...congrats. It's scary to see the kids hurt. Keep a close eye on him with his head injury (I'm a retired ER RN). Stay tuned. Diane

LavaGirl Says:
Monday, September 26, 2011 @6:05:57 PM

Thanks for the encouragement, Diane. I am/was 6 credits short of obtaining my RN (long story on the WAS part ..) and I'm still kicking myself for not noticing the signs and symptoms of the concussion. I try not to beat myself up on it ...but I still do. My son is and will recover. It's just going to take time. He is very excited about the lessons tomorrow. We just got our fiddles all packed up and ready !!!!

Mandogryl Says:
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @2:25:24 PM

I have a 3/4 size violin for when the granddaughter is ready. Also found a VERY playable 1/2 size, and they both are tons of fun to play.