Music Stores, rent/buy instruments:

District 204 students: Quinlan and Fabish, https://www.qandf.com/

District 203 Students: Ellman's Music Center, https://www.ellmansmusic.com/

PM Music Center, https://www.pmmusiccenter.com/

Sapp Violins, http://www.sappviolins.com/

Kenneth Stein Violins, https://www.steinviolins.com/

Michael Becker Fine Violins, http://www.beckerviolins.com/

Youth Symphony Orchestras:

Youth Symphony Dupage Orchestra, https://ysdp.org/

Naperville Youth Symphony Orchestra, https://napervilleyouthsymphony.org/

Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, https://www.eyso.org/

Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, https://cyso.org/

Opus Chamber Music Camp, https://napopus.org/

Instrument Sizing Guide, see below

The simple table may help get a general idea of what size is necessary for a student. It will not, however, be accurate enough to make a final decision. Your teacher will confirm if you are sized well. If not, you may have to adjust the instrument size immediately. Too big instrument may cause damage to a student’s hand.

As the student grows, the instrument size will change too. Do not change student’s instrument size suddenly without teacher’s approval first.

Violins and Small Violas

Violins and small violas are sized according to a student’s arm length. First, the student needs to extend his or

her arm out to the side of the body (not in front). The arm will need to be straight, and parallel to the ground.

Next, using a tape measure, measure the length of the arm from the base of the neck to the wrist. This length

corresponds to the length of the instrument and sizes listed below.

Cellos

Cellos are sized differently than violins due to the seated position of the player. First have the student sit upright

in a chair so the legs and body form a 90-degree angle. (Be sure the student is sitting up straight as this affects the

measurement.) Measure a straight line from the left ear to the top of the left thigh. This length corresponds to the

distance between the cello C peg and the top of the c-bout where the knees are positioned.

Violin

4/4 Violin - 23" Neck to Wrist Length

¾ Violin - 21.5" Neck to Wrist Length

½ Violin - 20.5" Neck to Wrist Length

¼ Violin – 18” Neck to Wrist Length

Viola

15" Viola - 24.5" Neck to Wrist Length

14” Viola - 23" Neck to Wrist Length

13” Viola -21.5" Neck to Wrist Length

12” Viola - 20.5" Neck to Wrist Length

11” Viola – 18” Neck to Wrist Length

Cello Measurements C peg to Top C bout:

4/4 Cello - 22.5"

¾ Cello - 20.5"

½ Cello - 19.5"

¼ Cello – 17.5”

Basses

You can measure two ways:

1st way: Measure the child's arm length from the shoulder socket to the tip of the index finger.

3/4- over 31"

1/4- 27-29"

1/2- 29.5- 30"

1/8- less then 25"

2nd way: Place the left hand down on a flat surface with the fingers spread out naturally. Measure the distance from the

pinky to the index finger.

3/4- Over 5.5"

1/4- 3.5-4"

1/2- 4-5"

1/8- Under 3"