Meadowlark Violin Shop
Recommended Beginner Violins
These beginner violins offer a great balance between quality and affordability. All violins show here come as an outfit which includes a case, bow, and the other accessories you need to get started. I always recommend upgrading to geared pegs which will make tuning much easier. Kennedy Violins and Fiddlershop will install geared pegs on any violin before shipping upon request. Read more about these violins and everything you need to know about purchasing your first violin at my article 10 Best Violins for Beginners.
Most Affordable: Tower Strings
Tower Strings Entertainer Violin Bundle
This is a great outfit for beginners that comes with everything you need to get started. It’s the cheapest real violin I recommend.
Best Sound: Antonio Giuliani Etude
Antonio Giuliani Etude Violin Outfit
For an upgrade in sound and accessories, the Giuliani Etude is a great option
Won’t Hold You Back: Louis Carpini G2
Louis Carpini G2 Outfit
A violin that will give you room to grow! This beginner/intermediate level violin will allow you to learn basic, intermediate, and some advanced techniques without holding you back.
Recommended Intermediate Violins
These violins are not just for intermediate or advanced players. A beginner can play on an intermediate violin and will only find it easier to produce a better tone. An intermediate player should have a violin of this quality to ensure their skills don’t stagnate. These violins do not come with a bow or a case, which allows you to customize those accessories depending on your needs. I always recommend upgrading to geared pegs which will make tuning much easier. Fiddlershop will install geared pegs on any violin before shipping upon request.
Holstein Traditional Kreisler Violin
This is the violin I currently use while I’m on the road RVing. The Kreisler is warm and bright. It has great projection and response and a crystal clear, resonant tone.
Holstein Traditional Soil Violin
The Soil has a warm, enveloping tone with a rich, dark tonal palette. Its sound projection is more of a golden cloud (as opposed to the Kreisler’s laser-like tone).
Holstein Traditional David Violin
The David violin represents a mix between the Kreisler’s brilliance and the Soil’s warmth. It’s a balanced tonal offering that still has a rich projection and sound qualities
Beginner and Advancing Beginner Bows
While most beginner outfits will come with a bow, at some point you will find that upgrading your bow can make playing much easier and more enjoyable. With violins, the better quality (and more expensive) the violin, the easier it is for beginners to play. This is not the case with bows which is why purchasing bows for your level of playing can be a little more complicated. The following bows could all be used and enjoyed by intermediate players, but I would only recommend the Holstein 1 Star Pernambuco for advancing beginners who understand the basics of bow control.
Holstein 2 Star Sandalwood Bow: Stable and Easy to Control: Great for Beginners!
This is a great upgrade from the standard outfit bow. A good beginner bow is one that’s easy to play but has the capability for learning basic tone and sound production, and this one delivers!
Fiddlerman Performance Series Carbon Fiber: Stable with More Capability
This is a good option if you want a more stable bow as it will help you produce a good, clean, focused tone. It’s beginner-friendly but it also has capability for intermediate and advanced techniques.
Holstein 2 Star Pernambuco: Great for Advanced techniques yet still Beginner-Friendly
This bow has stability to make it easy for beginners to handle, but it’s also light and responsive, produces a clean tone, and does advanced bow strokes very well. Perfect if you want a bow that you can grow with!
Intermediate Bows
These bows are great for someone who understands right hand basics. They are often lighter and more agile and allow for more nuance, tone colors, and precise control.
Holstein 1 Star Pernambuco: Perfect for Advancing Skills
This bow is light and lively! It can take a lot of weight and produces a clean sound. Because it is so responsive, I would not recommend it for brand new beginners, but it will be great for advancing beginners or someone looking for more nuance and finesse.
Holstein 3 Star Pernambuco: A joy to play!
This bow was comparable in many ways to my more expensive German bow. It’s very smooth, responsive, and stable and it has good, crisp articulation when you want it. Any time you need fast bow speed with a rich, full sound, this bow delivers. It makes playing a joy!
Fiddlerman Pro Series Carbon Fiber: Super Light and Agile
This is one of the bows I take with me on trips. It feels extremely light but it also takes a lot of weight. Because it is so light, agile, and responsive, I recommend it only for intermediate and advancing intermediate players. But if you have some skills, you’ll love it!
Case and Case Accessories
Bobelock 1063 Fiberglass Case
My personal case for traveling. It comes with a soft cover and it’s passed the hydraulic squeeze test!
Instrument Humidifier
Keeping your instrument between 40%-60% humidity is crucial for the health of your violin.
Instrument Humidifier
A simple in-case humidifier to keep your instrument and bow in the correct humidity range.
Shoulder Rest and Chinrests
Wolf Forte Secondo
This is a great shoulder rest for people with longer necks. The legs are very sturdy and the cushion is bendable for lots of customization.
Everest Shoulder Rest
The Everest has a very comfortable, molded cushion. The legs don’t extend too high, so it’s better for people who don’t need a lot of lift.
Chinrests
When it comes to chinrests, there are lots of options and accessories. This is a very personal choice so make sure you read my article on picking out the perfect chinrest.
String Sets
Helicore Strings
A good, affordable option for a basic, balanced string. A good choice for beginners.
Evah Pirazzi Strings
Bright and complex with great projection. Choose Evah Pirazzi Gold if you want a warmer sound.
Obligato Strings
A lower tension, warmer string. A great option if you have a bright instrument that needs some warmth.
Rosin and Cleaning Cloths
Holstein Reserve Rosin
This is my go-to rosin for a smooth sound and minimal dust.
Melos Rosin (Light or Dark)
I use Melos Light or Dark in the summer when regular dark rosins are a little too sticky.
Suede Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
A very important accessory! This cleaning cloth is super soft and big for wiping off that rosin!
Setting Up Your Studio
Wall Mount Violin Holder
A wall mount is a great way to keep your violin out and in-sight. A guaranteed way to practice more!
Music Stand
A good music stand (not the cheap wire ones) will promote good posture, which will promote good tone!
Practice Mute
Great if you want to be a little more quiet when you practice, but also good for intonation practice.
Meadowlark Apparel
Violin Apparel
Shop all Meadowlark-styled violin apparel! You can purchase each shirt in women’s, men’s, long sleeves, short sleeves, sweaters, or hoodies using the menu on the right of each product page. If you like softer shirts, I recommend choosing the Bella+Canvas Tri-blend option.
Violin Mugs, Tumblers, Stickers, and Case Tags
All case tags are double-sided and can be customized with your name. Mugs and tumblers come in various sizes and colors.
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