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VIOLIN SIZING
If you have the violin you are trying to size with the young student you can simply check it against the player's arm. Have the student hold the violin up on the left shoulder and extending out 45 degrees from their side (not in the front, not to the side.) Next, ask the player to reach from under the violin to the scroll of the violin with their outstretched left hand, curving the fingers around the scroll from below. If the left elbow is slightly bent and comfortable the violin is the proper size. If the elbow is straight and/or the player cannot reach the scroll the instrument is too large.
ARM LENGTH
0VER 23 5/8" 11 - ADULT 4/4
22 1/4" - 23 5/8"
20 3/8" - 22 1/4"
18 1/2" - 20 3/8"
16 7/8" - 18 1/2"
15 3/8" - 16 7/8"
14" - 15 3/8"
UNDER 14"
APPROX. AGE
ADULT
9 - 11
6 - 8
4 - 7
3 - 5
3 - 5
3 - 5
2 - 3
SIZE
4/4
3/4
1/2
1/4
1/8
1/10
1/16
1/32
VIOLA SIZING
Violas are fitted the same way as violins.
ARM LENGTH
OVER 27 1/8"
26 3/8​" - 27 1/8"
25 5/8 "- 26 3/8"
24 7/8" - 25 5/8"
23 1/4" - 24 7/8"
21 7/8" - 23 1/4"
20 3/8" - 21 7/8"
18 1/2" - 20 3/8"
APPROX. AGE
16 - ADULT
15 - Adult
14 - 15
13 - 14
12 - 13
10 - 12
7 - 10
4 - 7
SIZE
16 1/2"
16"
15 1/2"
15"
14"
13"
12"
11"
CELLO SIZING (APPROXIMATE)
In order to fit a player to a cello, have them sit so their knees are bent to a 90-degree angle. Adjust the height of the cello so the left knee touches the curve below the corner of the lower bout. If the cello fits correctly, the upper rim of its body will rest on the sternum (breast bone) of the player and the lowest tuning peg (C-string) will be near their left ear. From this position, the cellist should be able to comfortably reach both ends of the fingerboard with their left hand.
ARM LENGTH
24" & UP
22" - 24"
20" -22"
18" - 20"
HEIGHT
5' & OVER
4'6" - 5"
4' - 4'6"
3'6" - 4"
SIZE
4/4
3/4
1/2
1/4
BASS SIZING (APPROXIMATE)
One of the ways to fit a bass to a player is to adjust the end pin so that the bridge of the bass is on the same plane of the knuckles (2nd joint of the fingers) of the student's right hand. An important thing to note is not to set the bass too high (i.g. extending the end pin out too long). A bass set too high will cause the right elbow of the player to bend too much, the angle of the bow to the strings will change, and ultimately, the result will be a poor sound due to poor technique. Size of the student's left hand is an important factor when selecting a bass size. The student's hand should be able to reach the notes in first position. It may be a stretch, but they should not need to shift to span a whole step between 1st and 4th finger.
HEIGHT
5' & OVER
4'6" - 5"
4' - 4'6"
3'6" - 4"
SIZE
3/4
1/2
1/4
1/8
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