STRING INSTRUMENTS
Determining The Correct Size
VIOLIN / VIOLA - Support the instrument under the chin in playing position. The instrument is of proper size if the palm and fingers of the left hand can comfortably cup the scroll with the elbow relaxed.
CELLO - Seat the student so that the knees are bent at a 90º angle. The instrument should rest such that the upper rim rests on the sternum (breast bone) and the knee contacts the curve below the the lower bout corner. The C-string peg should be near the left ear, with the neck a few inches from the shoulder. The left hand should be able to reach both ends of the fingerboard with ease, and the first and fourth fingers able to comfortably span a major third (E to G#) in the first position on the D-string.
BASS - While standing behind the bass in playing position, the fingerboard nut should be opposite the forehead near eye level, and the right hand able to comfortably draw the bow from frog to tip. The first and fourth fingers of the left hand should be able to easily span a whole tone (E-F#) on the D-string in the first position.
(The Music Educators National Conference (MENC) has established the following adjustment standards for violins, violas, celli, and basses.)
|
Instrument |
Fingerboard
height
from top |
Bridge
thickness
@ top edge |
Sound post
diameter |
String height*
between strings
and fingerboard |
String spacing
at the top of
the bridge |
| Violin |
19.5 - 20.5mm |
1/16" |
1/4" |
E=1/8" G=3/16" |
7/16" |
| Viola |
24 - 25mm |
1/16" |
1/4" |
A=3/16" C=1/4" |
1/2" |
| Cello |
62 - 65mm |
3/32" |
7/16" |
A=1/4" C=5/16" |
5/8" |
| Bass |
9.5 - 11cm |
3/16" |
11/16" |
G=7/16" E=11/16" |
1 1/8" |
*For Steel Core Strings (measured at the end of the fingerboard)
Average Body Length of Instruments
The following measurements are taken by measuring the length of the back, excluding the button. Measurements may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and from instrument to instrument.
| Violin |
4/4 |
3/4 |
1/2 |
1/4 |
1/8 |
1/10 |
1/16 |
|
14" |
13-1/4" |
12-1/2" |
11" |
10" |
9" |
8-1/2" |
|
Viola |
16-1/2" |
16" |
15-1/2" |
15" |
Intremediate=14" |
Junior=13" |
|
Cello |
4/4 |
3/4 |
1/2 |
1/4 |
1/8 |
|
29-5/8" |
27-5/16" |
25-1/2" |
22-7/8" |
20" |
| Bass |
3/4 |
1/2 |
1/4 |
1/8 |
|
43-1/4" - 44-1/2" |
41-1/4" |
37-1/2" |
33-1/2" |
Average Bow Length In Inches
|
Violin |
4/4 |
3/4 |
1/2 |
1/4 |
1/8 - 1/10 |
1/16 |
|
29-1/8" |
27" |
24-1/2" |
22-1/4" |
19-1/2" |
16-7/8" |
| Viola |
15" and Larger |
Intremediate |
Junior |
|
29-1/4" |
27" |
24-1/2" |
|
Cello |
4/4 |
3/4 |
1/2 |
1/4 |
1/8 |
|
28-1/8" |
26-5/8" |
25-3/8" |
23-5/8" |
20-1/2" |
|
Bass |
3/4 |
1/2 |
1/4 |
|
(French) |
28-3/4" |
26-5/8" |
25-1/2" |
|
(German / Butler) |
29-1/2" |
27-7/8" |
26-3/4" |
GUITARS
Guitar Size Chart
| Height of the Player |
Size of Guitar |
| 3'3" to 3'9" |
1/4-Size |
| 3'10" to 4'5" |
1/2-Size |
| 4'6" to 4'11" |
3/4-Size |
| 5' or taller |
4/4-Size |
The overall length of the guitar is not a good indicator of whether it is the correct size for the student. The only way to know the true size of a guitar is to measure it's "scale length". The scale length of a guitar is measured from the "bridge" of the guitar to the "nut" of the guitar.
Guitar Scale length Chart - lengths can vary slightly
| 4/4 full size |
24.75" or 25.5" |
| 3/4 size |
22.75" |
| 1/2 size |
20.5" |
| 1/4 size |
19" |
Guitar Type Size Chart - (common overall lengths)
| Scale size |
Classical (nylon string) |
Acoustic (steel string) |
Electric |
Bass |
| 4/4 full size |
38"- 40" |
40" - 42" |
38"- 40" |
43"- 46" |
| 3/4 size |
36" |
38" |
34"- 36" |
42" |
| 1/2 size |
33" |
36" |
33" |
39" |
| 1/4 size |
31" |
32" |
31" |
36" |
The overall length of the guitar can vary widely depending on the style and overall design of the guitar. Knowledgeable dealers will list the size of the guitar as 4/4. 3/4, etc. and most will include the actual scale length measurement of the instrument.
NOTE:
If a you on the border of , for example, a 3/4 and 4/4 guitar in terms of your height, it might be a good idea to get the larger guitar. After all, why buy a smaller guitar if you know you will soon out grow it. If you have long arms, you may also need a larger guitar.
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