Do you want to learn violin, but you’re not sure if you can afford it? Below, violin teacher Carol Beth L. shares the total cost of learning to play the violin…
Is “learn violin” on your to-do list for this year? Learning to play any instrument is an investment. Some students or parents may not realize, however, exactly how much investment must be made in order to reach their goals.
When embarking on a new hobby, learning the cost is important. With the violin, there are many different expenses that can add up. The following will break down what the total cost of learning to play the violin could be. From the instrument itself to private lessons, this post has it all!
Is it Expensive to Learn Violin?
When it comes to the question of whether or not learning violin is expensive, there isn’t a definitive answer. Let’s take a closer look at some of the things that go into determining how expensive learning violin can be:
- Cost of a violin
- Violin accessories cost
- The average cost of violin lessons
- Expense of violin recitals and related activities
- Incidental costs (like strings)
Ultimately, the cost of violin lessons and learning to play the violin depends on a variety of factors, including what type of violin you want to learn, how much instruction you need, and what type of materials you require.
Generally speaking, though, the more serious you are about learning the instrument, the more it will cost.
The best way to find out if the expense of violin lessons is right for you – and your budget? Consider signing up to sample some violin lessons today! You can learn more about violin lessons by watching this quick video sample:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev_MLvWnJJc
Average Cost of Violin Lessons: What You Need to Know
The cost of learning the violin can be broken down into a few major categories, which include both monetary investments and time.
We have more information on the cost of violin lessons in this post, but as you have likely gathered, learning how to play the violin requires more of an investment of time and money besides just what you’ll pay to learn from a teacher.
Below, we breakdown all of the costs associated with learning how to play the violin.
Cost of a Violin
What is the cost of simple violins for lessons? Well, the exact cost will depend on whether you decide to rent or buy. Different options are appropriate for different students. For example, the cost of a new student violin at the lowest level can range from about $100 to $500, with $300 being a good mid-range price to have set aside.
While you don’t need an expensive Stradavarius to begin violin lessons, it’s important to have a functional violin that sounds good and isn’t too difficult to tune. Otherwise, you may become frustrated when you aren’t able to make it sound the way you want it to.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money upfront, you have the option to rent a violin. Violin rental prices may vary slightly depending on where you’re located. However, the typical rate is around $25 to $30 per month.
Many studios will allow you to apply a portion of the money to purchasing the violin later on. This is a good option for those who aren’t quite sure if they want to continue to learn violin. This option is usually a little more expensive than to buy it directly at the beginning, but it can be worth it.
Cost of Violin Accessories
There are a lot of accessories that you’ll need to help you learn violin. For beginners, this will likely include a basic violin book of techniques and maybe a book of exercises. As you become more advanced, you will likely need to purchase violin books for scales and perhaps for sight-reading.
Other important supplies include a tuning fork, a metronome, and a stand. Many vendors now offer combined electronic tuner/metronome devices.
If you can’t find one, tuning forks are another good way to tune your violin. This tool will help you develop a good ear, since it will only give you your initial A!
Though you may not use all of these accessories, beginners should be ready to set aside between $50 and $100 for violin supplies.
Cost of Violin Lessons
The cost of violin lessons is the most obvious investment people think of, and since it is ongoing, it is probably going to be the largest. The exact cost will be determined by your area and by whether your lessons are 30 minutes, 45 minutes, or a full hour.
For younger, beginner students, a half hour lesson is usually enough. Older and more advanced students may wish to spend 45 minutes or an hour each week.
The hourly cost of lessons in most areas can vary from $30/hr to $80/hr or more depending on the location, studio, and teacher credentials.
Cost of Violin Recitals and Activities
Enrichment activities and recitals can help inspire and motivate students to learn violin, but don’t be surprised if these outside activities come with a cost.
While some studios will allow students to participate in their recital for free, others may request a recital fee that is used to cover the cost of the venue or other incidentals.
Your violin teacher may also recommend concert attendance, summer camp, group classes, or orchestra in addition to private lessons. These are often recommendations and not requirements, but they can help the student advance in other ways by providing a variety of musical experiences.
Incidental Costs
As lessons progress, there may be some unpredictable costs that come up. Perhaps, for example, your violin rosin breaks or is lost or your strings break.
A full set of average violin strings can cost between $10 and $20; high quality strings can cost more. Inexpensive rosin can cost less than $5, while higher quality rosin might cost closer to $10 or $15.
Such incidentals are usually minimal, but it is good to be prepared when they come up.
How Many Months Does it Take to Learn Violin?
Another factor you’ll want to take into consideration when budgeting your money (and time) for learning violin is to figure out how much time it will take you.
It is hard to say how many months it will take to learn violin as it depends on the individual and how much time they are willing to devote to practice.
However, most people will need at least six months of regular practice before they start to see real progress. The first few weeks will be spent learning the basics, such as how to hold the instrument and produce a sound.
Once these basics have been mastered, it will be time to start learning some simple melodies. It usually takes a few months to get comfortable with reading music and playing simple songs. After that, more challenging pieces can be tackled, and the learning process can accelerate. With dedication and practice, it is possible to make significant progress in just a few short months.
However, it should be remembered that there is no shortcuts when it comes to learning an instrument; only by putting in the hours will real progress be made.
Cost of Violin Lessons Near Me
If you’re looking for violin lessons near you, the cost will vary depending on the instructor and the length of the lesson. However, you can expect to spend anywhere from $30 to $60 per hour of instruction.
While this may seem like a lot, keep in mind that violin lessons can be a great investment. Not only will you learn how to play an instrument, but you’ll also develop patience, discipline, and an appreciation for music. If you stick with it, learning the violin can be a rewarding experience that will last a lifetime.
While the initial investment in learning to play the violin may seem high, it is an affordable hobby that can provide years of enjoyment. With a little practice and patience, you can be on your way to mastering this beautiful instrument.
The opportunity to learn violin is a rewarding endeavor, and certainly worth the time, effort, and costs associated. While it is difficult to put an exact cost on learning to play the violin, considering these areas should help estimate how much you will need to put aside.
Post Author: Carol Beth L.Carol Beth L. teaches viola and violin in San Francisco, CA. She currently plays viola in the San Francisco Civic Orchestra and has been teaching students since 2012. Learn more about Carol Beth here!
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