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General Age Level Guide

Size

Violin

Viola

Cello

Bass

4/4

9-adult

12-adult

12-adult

adult

3/4

9-11

11-13

10-15

11-adult

1/2

6-10

9-11

9-11

9-13

1/4

4-7

1/8

3-5

1/10

3-5

1/16

3-5

Age level guide subject to developmental variation among students of the same age.
Average Body Length in Instruments (in inches)

The following measurements are taken by measuring the length of the back, excluding the button. Measurements may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and from instrument to instrument.

Violin

Knilling MENC

Summit

 

Suzuki

 

4/4

14"

14-1/8"

14"

3/4

13-1/4"

13-1/4"

13"

1/2

12-1/2"

12-1/2"

12-1/4"

1/4

11"

11-1/8"

11-1/4"

1/8

10"

10-1/8"

10-1/3"

1/10

9"

9-1/8"

9-3/8"

1/16

8-1/2"

9-1/4"

8-3/8"

Viola

 

Knilling MENC

 

Summit

 

4/4

15", 15-1/2", 16", 16-1/2"

15-1/8", 15-5/8", 16-1/8", 16-5/8"

3/4 (intermediate)

14"

14"

1/2 (junior)

13"

13-1/4"

* Fractional size violins are sometimes strung up as violas for 14", 13" and even 12" sizes. It would be appropriate to note that all violas are a proportional compromise in comparison to the violin; a truly proportional viola would have to be in excess of 18" to accommodate its tonal range. Of more importance is that the instruments have an appropriately "dark" tone.

Cello

Knilling MENC

Summit

 

Engelhardt

 

4/4

29-5/8"

29-7/8" - 30-1/8"

29-3/4"

3/4

27-5/16"

27-1/2"

27-1/4"

1/2

25-1/2"

25-5/8" - 25-7/8"

24-3/4"

1/4

22-7/8"

21"

1/8

20"

17-7/8"

1/10

15-7/8"

Bass

Knilling MENC

Summit

 

Engelhardt

 

3/4

43-1/4" - 44-1/2"

43"

42-1/2"

3/4

41-1/4"

39-3/4"

36" (Jr.)

1/2

37-1/2"

37"

1/4

33-1/2"

1/8

Making your own sizing stick for violin and viola

To help determine the correct size instrument for a student, make your own sizing stick by taking an ordinary yardstick, and marking off the following measurements:

Violin

Viola

3/4

23-5/8"

16-1/2"

27-1/4"

3/4

22-1/4"

16"

26-3/8"

1/2

20-3/8"

15-1/2"

25-5/8"

1/4

18-1/2"

15"

24-7/8"

1/8

16-7/8"

14"

23-1/4"

1/10

15-3/8"

13"

21-6/8"

1/16

14-1/4"

12"

20-3/8"

To use: place the stick under the chin, in playing position, and, with left arm extended, measure to the middle of the palm to determine the approximate correct size.