Instrument Sizing
Make sure you have the correct size instrument for the most comfortable fit!
Violin:
Violins are available in many sizes, and a knowledgeable violin maker, music dealer or violin teacher will be able to help you find the right size for your child. Generally, the smaller sizes (1/2, 3/4) are for children, and most adults and teenagers use full size (4/4) violins.
As a general sizing guideline, when you hold the violin (placing the chin rest under your left jaw), you should be able to extend your left arm under the violin and be able to curve the tips of your left fingers around the end of the scroll, including a slight bend in your left elbow. If your fingers can't reach the end of the scroll, a smaller sized violin might be appropriate.
Viola:
Although violins and cellos have standard sizes, there are no standard sizes for full-size violas. Full-size violas range from 15”-17” with typical sizes being: 15,” 15-1/2,” 16,” 16-1/2” and 17” with 16” being the average (some hand-made violas can be found in sizes such as 16-1/4,” 17-1/8” etc.). Sizes for smaller violas include: 11,” 12,” 13,” 14” and 14-1/2.” Viola sizes are determined by measuring the length of the back of the viola (excluding the neck, scroll and end button).
Generally, most adults and teenagers use a 15" to 16-1/2” full-size viola (17” is typically a custom size), and children use viola sizes ranging from 11" -14.” Instead of purchasing a small viola, some beginning violists string violins as violas (the body length of a full-size violin is comparable to a 14” viola). Like the violin, a general sizing guideline is holding the viola and placing the chin rest under your left jaw, you should be able to extend your left arm under the viola and curve the tips of your left fingers around the end of the scroll, while maintaining a slight bend in your left elbow. If your fingers can't reach the end of the scroll, a smaller sized viola might be appropriate. Again, a knowledgeable teacher, violist or music dealer should be able to assist you with finding the correct size.
Cello:
Cellos are available in many sizes- generally, the smaller sizes (1/16; 1/8; 1/4; 1/2; 3/4) are for children, and most adults and teenagers use full size (4/4) cellos.
As a general sizing guideline, you should be able to extend the cello endpin and sit in a chair with your feet flat upon the floor. The top of the cello body should rest against your chest, and the neck and scroll of the cello should be to the left of your head, with the lowest tuning peg approximately the same height as your ear (this may vary depending on the instrument and cellist). Your left hand should be able to comfortably span the interval of a minor third between your first and fourth fingers (two half-steps). If your fingers can't reach this interval or the top of the cello body or scroll is too high, a smaller sized cello might be appropriate. Again, a knowledgeable teacher, cellist or music dealer should be able to assist you in finding the correct size.
Bass:
Most adults and tall teenagers use a 3/4 size bass. Although violins and cellos have fairly standard sizes, the dimensions and sizing of basses vary quite a bit. This is due to the fact that the bass has undergone many variations in its shape, size, tuning and number of strings used throughout history. Although basses are available in many sizes, a knowledgeable instrument maker, music dealer or bass teacher should be able to help you find the right size for you or your child. Generally, the smaller sizes (1/10; 1/8; 1/4; and 1/2) are for children, and a 3/4 bass is the most common size used by adults and teenagers. Although there are professional bassists who play a 7/8 or 4/4 bass, since these instruments are so large, they are not as commonly used as 3/4 basses.
Although there are no precise measurements used for basses, the ½ size bass often has a body length of approximately 40” and a string length between 37 3/8 – 38” ; the 3/4 bass often has a body length of approximately 42 1/2 -43 3/4 and a string length between 40" and 42", and the very large 4/4 bass has a body length of approximately 45 1/2 and a string length over 42” . It should also be noted that when it comes to the smaller basses, different music companies may vary considerably in how they determine sizes. The dimensions used by one company to manufacture a 1/4 size bass may be used by another manufacturer to produce what they label a 1/2 bass.
Consult your teacher to help you select the correct bass size. As a general rule, your child should be able to comfortably stretch your left fingers on the bass fingerboard to play a whole step between the first and fourth fingers. Bassists have differing views regarding how high the bass should be, and how the endpin should be adjusted. Some bassists adjust the bass endpin so the nut of the bass fingerboard is at the level of their eyebrows, others say the nut should be as high as the top of the head, and some adjust the endpin so the bass bridge is at the same level as the bass player's knuckles. Ask your teacher or a bassist friend for their advice if you’re unsure about how far to adjust your bass endpin.
Violin:
Violins are available in many sizes, and a knowledgeable violin maker, music dealer or violin teacher will be able to help you find the right size for your child. Generally, the smaller sizes (1/2, 3/4) are for children, and most adults and teenagers use full size (4/4) violins.
As a general sizing guideline, when you hold the violin (placing the chin rest under your left jaw), you should be able to extend your left arm under the violin and be able to curve the tips of your left fingers around the end of the scroll, including a slight bend in your left elbow. If your fingers can't reach the end of the scroll, a smaller sized violin might be appropriate.
Viola:
Although violins and cellos have standard sizes, there are no standard sizes for full-size violas. Full-size violas range from 15”-17” with typical sizes being: 15,” 15-1/2,” 16,” 16-1/2” and 17” with 16” being the average (some hand-made violas can be found in sizes such as 16-1/4,” 17-1/8” etc.). Sizes for smaller violas include: 11,” 12,” 13,” 14” and 14-1/2.” Viola sizes are determined by measuring the length of the back of the viola (excluding the neck, scroll and end button).
Generally, most adults and teenagers use a 15" to 16-1/2” full-size viola (17” is typically a custom size), and children use viola sizes ranging from 11" -14.” Instead of purchasing a small viola, some beginning violists string violins as violas (the body length of a full-size violin is comparable to a 14” viola). Like the violin, a general sizing guideline is holding the viola and placing the chin rest under your left jaw, you should be able to extend your left arm under the viola and curve the tips of your left fingers around the end of the scroll, while maintaining a slight bend in your left elbow. If your fingers can't reach the end of the scroll, a smaller sized viola might be appropriate. Again, a knowledgeable teacher, violist or music dealer should be able to assist you with finding the correct size.
Cello:
Cellos are available in many sizes- generally, the smaller sizes (1/16; 1/8; 1/4; 1/2; 3/4) are for children, and most adults and teenagers use full size (4/4) cellos.
As a general sizing guideline, you should be able to extend the cello endpin and sit in a chair with your feet flat upon the floor. The top of the cello body should rest against your chest, and the neck and scroll of the cello should be to the left of your head, with the lowest tuning peg approximately the same height as your ear (this may vary depending on the instrument and cellist). Your left hand should be able to comfortably span the interval of a minor third between your first and fourth fingers (two half-steps). If your fingers can't reach this interval or the top of the cello body or scroll is too high, a smaller sized cello might be appropriate. Again, a knowledgeable teacher, cellist or music dealer should be able to assist you in finding the correct size.
Bass:
Most adults and tall teenagers use a 3/4 size bass. Although violins and cellos have fairly standard sizes, the dimensions and sizing of basses vary quite a bit. This is due to the fact that the bass has undergone many variations in its shape, size, tuning and number of strings used throughout history. Although basses are available in many sizes, a knowledgeable instrument maker, music dealer or bass teacher should be able to help you find the right size for you or your child. Generally, the smaller sizes (1/10; 1/8; 1/4; and 1/2) are for children, and a 3/4 bass is the most common size used by adults and teenagers. Although there are professional bassists who play a 7/8 or 4/4 bass, since these instruments are so large, they are not as commonly used as 3/4 basses.
Although there are no precise measurements used for basses, the ½ size bass often has a body length of approximately 40” and a string length between 37 3/8 – 38” ; the 3/4 bass often has a body length of approximately 42 1/2 -43 3/4 and a string length between 40" and 42", and the very large 4/4 bass has a body length of approximately 45 1/2 and a string length over 42” . It should also be noted that when it comes to the smaller basses, different music companies may vary considerably in how they determine sizes. The dimensions used by one company to manufacture a 1/4 size bass may be used by another manufacturer to produce what they label a 1/2 bass.
Consult your teacher to help you select the correct bass size. As a general rule, your child should be able to comfortably stretch your left fingers on the bass fingerboard to play a whole step between the first and fourth fingers. Bassists have differing views regarding how high the bass should be, and how the endpin should be adjusted. Some bassists adjust the bass endpin so the nut of the bass fingerboard is at the level of their eyebrows, others say the nut should be as high as the top of the head, and some adjust the endpin so the bass bridge is at the same level as the bass player's knuckles. Ask your teacher or a bassist friend for their advice if you’re unsure about how far to adjust your bass endpin.