Sizes and Categories of Violins, Violas and Cellos - Choosing my Instrument

Violins, Violas and Cellos are instruments of the Strings Family of the Rubbed Strings. Our Cousin Guitar is of the lineage of Tangidas or Fingered Strings, just for comparison.

Our instruments are produced following an industry standard, whose measurements, format and other technical characteristics have been improved over time, reaching a set of relatively standardized formats used as reference by both the Automation Industry and the Manufactured Industry (Luthiers). In the case of Instruments with special measures, the Lutheries are in charge of working on these adjustments, both during manufacture and after the finished Instrument.

There is no rigid standard established by some International Institution, which allows Industrialized or Craft Luthiers to define adjustments in their Instruments in order to seek some differential over their competitors. We, musicians, have a lot to gain from this, as we have an industry constantly changing and perfecting, provided by the competition between Manufacturers!

So let's talk about the Sizes currently available in the Market. The following table shows the Available Size of each Instrument (to be found at music stores) and the Full Range (from instrument base to the top of the Volute):

Instrument	Available measure	Total size (Metric size)
Violin	4/4	59cm a 61cm
	7/8	56cm a 58cm
	3/4	53cm a 55cm
	1/2	50cm a 52cm
	1/4	47cm a 49cm
	1/8	44cm a 46cm
	1/16	35cm a 40cm
Viola	16,5’’	69cm a 71cm
	16’’	66cm a 68cm
	15,5’’	63cm a 65cm
	15’’	59cm a 62cm
	14’’	56cm a 58cm
	13’’	53cm a 55cm
Cello	4/4	118cm a 120cm
	7/8	114cm a 117cm
	3/4	111cm a 112cm
	1/2	104cm a 107cm
	1/4	96cm a 98cm
	1/8	83cm a 85cm
	1/10	73cm a 75cm

As you can see in the table, the Extensions are presented in ranges, since each Manufacturer can adjust this size according to the characteristics of their Instruments.

And how should these Extensions be used? The table below explains how to measure each of the instruments to find out which measure is right for you, as follows:

Instrument	How to measure
Violin	With the violin firmly attached to the shoulder, extend the arm with the palm of your hand up. The scroll of the instrument should end at the base of the wrist, with the hand being able to "hold" the scroll, as showing the image.
Viola	With the viola firmly attached to the shoulder, extend the arm with the palm of your hand up. The volute of the instrument should end at the base of the fingers, as it presents the image.
Cello	In the case of Cello, some measures are relevant, but they can become very complex. As a starting point, we present the following reference measures, after several surveys, in specialized websites and with some teachers. These reference measures are: Musician height (Metric) Best fit Due 90cm 1/10 From 90cm to 110cm 1/8 From 110cm to 120cm 1/4 From 120cm to 132cm 1/2 From 132cm to 146cm 3/4 From 146cm to 160cm 7/8 Upper 160cm 4/4 Another possible way is to do the following: Sit so your leg is at a 90 degree angle. Adjust the height of the Cello so that your left knee touches the bottom of the first bout of the Cello. The upper rim of the Cello's body should fit into the chest at the bottom of the sternum (breathing bone), and the Cello pin should lie close to the left ear, as shown.

The sizes and indications above are size references, but the personal decision in the choice must exist, as long as it does not generate technical damage in learning and execution. Higher or lower the instrument, this should always be a personal choice. Eventually, you may have short fingers, or a longer arm, or shorter or longer back, anyway! Use the table just to support your decision, do not use it as a Manual, ok !?

By further exploring the standards that define our Instruments, we highlight the Instrument Category. It is important to note that these Categories are defined by a commercial question, and are, almost in general, adjusted. The 4 categories we can highlight are: Student or Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Professional.

These characteristics are determined by following certain parameters during manufacturing, and even in the sales cycle, at least until the instruments considered "Advanced". In the case of the "Professional" category, the criterion is distinct and has some specific elements, which we will address later.

Let us then evaluate, in summary, each of the four categories to understand this classification. Again, there is no absolute nor standardized rule about this assessment. This article was based on visiting the stores and talking with some Luthiers to establish the following criteria, which are:

Student: In general, they are instruments manufactured in the Automation Industry, with simpler and less resistant material components, so that, of course, they have a lower cost and more affordable price. In general, it does not present any adjustments in the sense of Sound enhancement, such as Easel adjustment, Banner positioning, Soul positioning, among other items, which does not prevent them from being adjusted during the use by the musician .

Intermediate: They begin to present from some more resistant and improved components, until some relevant adjustments, being able to bring with them a Easel of better material, a better positioning of the Soul and even greater rigor in the treatment of the wood and in the construction of the Instrument. Like the Student Instrument, there is no impediment in making adjustments to these Instruments throughout their use.

Advanced: In the vast majority, it is an Instrument whose construction follows strict quality standards, and whose components are also of excellent quality and durability, from structural components (Soul, Harmonic Bar and Volute, for example) to those that are incorporated externally , Mirror, Banner, among others), very well adjusted since its manufacture by experienced Luthiers.

Professionals: Professional instruments are typically made with aged wood from fir, maple or rosewood. The manufacturer selects a specific type of wood for its sound qualities (although there are some manufacturers who do not typically believe this criterion). The Mirror and Pins are usually made of ebony, as well as the finishes are strictly applied by hand, with the Sound Post and Bridge already carefully adjusted in place before leaving the workshop, and even, in general, the stranding that follows with the Instrument is typically of very high quality, in order to guarantee all the elements that influence in the final sound quality of this Instrument.

It should be noted that, in the case of Professional Instruments, there is an alternative trade in Instruments whose time has been in charge of professionalizing it. Wooden instruments, as in our case, are very sensitive to time (positively and negatively, of course), and if they are well preserved and well adjusted, they can cross generations and present a very interesting transformation of Sound! Why does this occur ?! Well, that's the theme for another article in the near future!

This article participates in the "Choice of Instrument" Series. We will address the next issues that will bring more light to this theme. We hope that in the future, with all of this series published, we may have contributed to your choice. But take advantage of the information already available to begin to better shape your decision on your first (or next) Instrument.

But most importantly: Small or large, Student or Professional, your Instrument deserves care, attention, love and use! Expensive or Cheap, treat him as one of your best friends, you will have a good time together, making it a part of your life.

We hope you in our next Post, follow us in our media, share and comment at will!

Until next!