Size Guide

The following tables provide a guide to selecting a suitable instrument size. Other factors may be taken into account, including teaching method, and teacher and player preference. Instrument sizes may vary within their defined fractional size; this guide applies to Stringers’ range of instruments, and is intended to be as comprehensive as possible, but not definitive.

Violin & Viola

The ideal size violin for a child is that which allows a 90° angle at the elbow when holding the violin in a playing position. We recommend using a tailor’s tape measure to measure the distance between the base of the neck and the left wrist. The hand should be extended and the arm held out perpendicular to the body with the shoulder relaxed. Take this measurement and use the table below to determine the correct instrument size. We strongly discourage playing on instruments with ‘growing room’ as this can have a detremental effect on technique, form and posture. * Viola sizes over 15” are determined by personal and teacher preference.

Cello

Determining the correct cello size for a player requires the consideration of three factors; height, arm length (distance ‘A’ as shown the diagram) and finger span. Use the table below, ensuring at least two of these three factors match, to select the correct cello size. **‘Finger span’ in this case refers to the straight-line distance between the centre of the tip of the index finger and the centre of the tip of the little finger, of a spanned hand.