Introduction

Kennedy Violins, a prominent violin retailer known for its customer-centric approach and stringent quality checks, has recently crowned Ricard Bunnel as the best violin brand for beginners. The announcement is a nod to the brand’s commitment to offering high-quality instruments that are accessible and user-friendly, particularly for those just starting their musical journey.

Key Features of Ricard Bunnel Violins

Quality Craftsmanship

One of the major strengths of Ricard Bunnel violins is their attention to craftsmanship. These violins are made from carefully selected woods such as spruce for the top and maple for the back and sides, which are known for their tonal qualities. The construction process is undertaken with painstaking detail, ensuring the instrument’s durability and tonal richness.

Affordable Price

Another advantage of Ricard Bunnel violins is their affordability. As a brand committed to making music accessible to everyone, they offer high-quality violins at a fraction of the cost of other, more established brands. This affordability does not come at the expense of quality, ensuring that even beginner musicians can have access to a decent instrument without breaking the bank.

Outfit Inclusions

Ricard Bunnel also distinguishes itself by providing comprehensive violin outfits. These outfits usually include a hard case, bow, rosin, and often, extra strings and a shoulder rest. This means that beginners can get started immediately without needing to purchase additional accessories.

Why Kennedy Violins Voted Ricard Bunnel as Best

Customer Feedback

Customer satisfaction played a pivotal role in Ricard Bunnel being named the best beginner violin brand. Kennedy Violins compiled feedback from customers who purchased Ricard Bunnel violins, and the responses were overwhelmingly positive. Beginners particularly praised the ease of use, playability, and balanced tone of these instruments.

Expert Reviews

Kennedy Violins also consulted with violin teachers and professional musicians during their evaluation process. These experts consistently recommended Ricard Bunnel violins for their build quality, sound projection, and suitability for beginners. This endorsement by professionals adds further credibility to Ricard Bunnel’s standing as a top choice for beginner violinists.

Conclusion

Ricard Bunnel has set itself apart as a leading brand for beginner violins, and the recent endorsement by Kennedy Violins only solidifies this reputation. With its blend of quality, affordability, and inclusivity, Ricard Bunnel has proven itself to be a viable choice for anyone starting their musical journey with the violin.

Whether you’re a parent looking for a reliable instrument for your child or an adult embarking on a new hobby, Ricard Bunnel offers a range of violins that will help make your musical dreams a reality.

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Understanding Violin Sizing:

Violins come in various sizes to accommodate players of different ages and physical proportions. The correct violin size allows beginners to hold and play the instrument comfortably, fostering proper posture and technique. Here are the standard violin sizes commonly available:

• 1/16 size
• 1/10 size
• 1/8 size
• 1/4 size
• 1/2 size
• 3/4 size
• 4/4 (full) size

Factors to Consider

Age and Physical Proportions:

• Very young children (4-5 years old) typically start with smaller sizes (e.g., 1/16 – 1/8) and gradually progress to larger sizes as they grow.
• Teenagers and adults generally use full-size violins (4/4), but it’s important to consider individual physical proportions as well.

Arm Length and Finger Placement:

• The player’s arm length, particularly from the neck to the middle of the palm, determines the appropriate violin size.
• Proper finger placement on the fingerboard relies on a comfortable reach, ensuring accurate intonation and technique. Pay particular attention to the 4th finger to ensure it can reach the proper place while still being at least slightly bent.

Comfort and Playability:

• Hold the violin and bow to test the overall comfort, balance, and weight distribution. A well-fitted violin should allow ease of movement and control.

Seek Expert Guidance:

• Consult a knowledgeable violin teacher, or an experienced shop representative, who can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific needs. As a general rule, a teacher or violin shop specializing in student instruments will be able to easily guide you to the proper size—either by looking at your child holding the violin or asking you some general questions about their age, experience level, and their average size for their age group.

Choosing the Right Violin Size:

Measurement Method:

• Use the neck-to-palm measurement technique: Extend the left arm fully perpendicular to the body, and measure from the base of the neck to the middle of the palm.
• Match the measurement to the corresponding violin size. Keep in mind that the students ability to maintain proper left hand technique is paramount. You can check out Kennedy Violins’ orchestral instrument sizing chart.

Playtesting:

• Visit a reputable violin shop or seek assistance from a knowledgeable violin teacher to try different violin sizes.
• Play each size to assess comfort, reach, and overall ability to reach all the notes in the left hand. Remember that stretching to a new size will be uncomfortable at first, but if they have proper form in their left hand, the 4th finger will tell you a lot. If they can reach and maintain proper technique (especially the 4th finger), the violin is probably not too big for them.

Renting vs. Buying:

• For young beginners with potential growth spurts, renting a violin is a very cost-effective option.
• If the player has stopped growing or shows long-term commitment, investing in a suitable-sized violin might be a better choice. Many shops have very good instrument trade-in programs.

Maintenance and Future Adjustments:

Remember, as a beginner, it’s important to check the violin’s size to see if it’s time for a larger size.  It may be a good idea to check every 4-6 months. 

Conclusion:

Choosing the right violin size for beginners sets the foundation for a comfortable and enjoyable musical journey. By considering factors such as age, physical proportions, comfort, and playability, you can make an informed decision that fosters proper technique and supports progress. Remember to seek guidance from experts if you have any questions!

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Read more about the Bunnel Electric Violin models.

The post New Electric Violins Available Now appeared first on Ricard Bunnel.

• Student Violins and Violas: Use a coupon code to get dollars of on any purchase over $300
• Electric Violins: Use your coupon code, plus get a string upgrade. NS Strings are made specifically for use on electric violins. Now is a great time to get that upgrade with your purchase.
• Cellos and Basses: Black Friday through December 3 get 15% off any new non-consignment Cello or Bass. This is an in-store only deal.

The post Black Friday 2021 Bunnel Deals appeared first on Ricard Bunnel.

Many parents purchase cheap violins online when their kids start playing. This seems like a cost-effective solution since cheap violins aren’t too big an investment, but these instruments are often closer to toys than they are to “real” violins. The fact is that a handmade instrument, such as a Ricard Bunnel violin, will be a much better investment, and that is primarily because of the way these violins are constructed and set up.

One thing that sets Ricard Bunnel violins apart from other student instruments is the type and quality of materials used in construction. While many student violins are made of pressed wood or plywood, each Bunnel violin is hand-made with a solid spruce top and solid maple back and sides. This produces an instrument with a higher quality of sound and stronger construction. 

Ricard Bunnel violins also feature a satin oil finish instead of the thick, shiny lacquer varnish that you’ll find on many other student violins. While those lacquer varnishes are great at protecting wood from scratches and scrapes, they aren’t very good at making violins sound good; in fact, they significantly dampen the sound of the violin and can make it sound “tinny”. Satin oil finishes are more delicate, but because they allow the instrument to resonate more, violins with this type of finish offer superior sound projection and tonal quality. This type of finish also adds to the appearance of a violin, giving it the look of a traditionally-made, quality instrument. Violins with a satin oil finish often bear signs of having been constructed by hand out of solid wood, such as small tool marks or variations in the woodgrain, which add character and help to distinguish individual instruments from one another.

One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing your first violin is the setup. This is the final step in getting an instrument ready to play, and one that is often done poorly or skipped altogether on cheap violins. A violin that hasn’t been set up properly will sound bad and be difficult to play. That’s enough to frustrate any beginning violinist!

To help students avoid this frustration and maximize their enjoyment of the instrument, all Ricard Bunnel violins are professionally set up by luthiers in the United States. They make sure each violin is set up for easy playability and superior sound quality. This process includes ensuring that the bridge is carved and positioned properly, pegs are shaped for a secure fit, the soundpost is set correctly, and strings are a comfortable distance from the fingerboard. 

While choosing a new violin can be confusing and overwhelming, it doesn’t need to be! By prioritizing sound quality and playability, you should be able to find an inexpensive student instrument that will encourage your aspiring violinist to play.

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  The Fall 2021 Bunnel Pupil, Premier, G2, and G1s violins have have been delivered to our retail partners. we hope you enjoy shopping for you new instrument.

  Bunnel Violins makes violins for beginning students as well as those who are dedicated to improving their violin skills. We provide violins in full-size and fractional sizes to accommodate learners of every age!

The post Fall 2021 Bunnel Full-Size and Fractional Violins are in Stores Now! appeared first on Ricard Bunnel.

The post More Bunnel Pupil violins are on the way! appeared first on Ricard Bunnel.

Included in the list are the G2, The Premier, and the Pupil. We appreciate the recognition!

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