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Choosing the Appropriate Size Instrument

Violin Viola Cello Guitar

Violins

To accurately discern which size is correct for the player, run a measuring tape from the left side of the player's neck to palm of their outstretched left arm and second time from the neck to the wrist. (The arm must not be bent at the elbow and is at a right angle to the body.)

Players Age	Arm Length	Violin Size	Bow Size
11 years to Adult	23"	4/4 or Full	4/4
Small Teen / Adult	22" and small hands	7/8	4/4
9-12	21.5"-22"	3/4	3/4
7-9	20	1/2	1/2
5-7	18"-18.5"	1/4	1/4
4-6	16.5"	1/8	1/8
4-5	15"	1/10	1/10
3-5	14"	1/16	1/16

Viola Sizing Guide

Violists: measure from neck to palm at the base of the fingers, not the wrist. Violas are sized large.

Player's Age	Arm Length (to base of fingers)	Viola Size	Bow Length
Large Adult	26"	16"	29.25" Full Size
Average Adult	25" - 25.25"	15.5"	29.25"
Small Adult, Child 10-12 years	24.5"	15"	29.25"
9-12 years	23"	14"	29.25"
7-9 years	21.5"-22"	13"	27" (3/4 Violin)
6-7 years	20"	12"	24.5" (1/2 Violin)

Cello

The following guide is approximate. The best sizing method still remains to have the instructor verify the actual cello with the player.

Have the cellist sit on the edge of a chair that permits the feet to be flat on the floor, and the thighs to be parallel to the floor. Sit with the body fairly erect, similar to the position when riding a horse. Choose the size that most closely approximates the knee to ear distance shown at the knee separation given.

Cello Sizing Guide

Full size (4/4) - With the knees separated 14” – 15”(A), the distance from inside of right knee to middle of left ear (B) should be about 30 inches or more.

3/4 size - With the knees separated about 13 ½” – 14”(A), the distance from inside of right knee to middle of left ear (B) should be about 27 ½” – 30”.

1/2 size - With the knees separated about 12” – 13”(A), the distance from inside of right knee to middle of left ear (B) should be about 25 ½” – 27 ½”.

By Your Age:

1/8 size - 4 to 6 years old
1/4 size - 5 to 7 years old
1/2 size - 7 to 11 years old
3/4 size - 11 to 15 years old
4/4 size - 15 and above

By Your Height:

1/8 to 1/4 size - below 4 feet
1/2 size - 4 to 4 1/2 feet
3/4 size - 4 1/2 to 5 feet
4/4 size - 5 feet and above

Additional Sizing Tips:

Sit up straight on a chair, your feet must be touching the floor.
Set the endpin of the cello to around 12 inches.
Now at a 45 degree angle, let the cello rest against your chest.
The top of the cello must rest at the center of your chest.
The C string peg must be near your left ear.

By Body Length:

1/8 size - 17.75 to 20 inches
1/4 size - 20 to 23 inches
1/2 size - 23 to 26 inches
3/4 size - 26 to 27.25 inches
4/4 size - 30 inches and above

Guitar Sizing

Age	Size
6 years old & under	1/4 size
7- 8 years old	1/2 size
9 - 10 years old	3/4 size
11+ and adult	Full size (4/4)

Choosing the Appropriate Size Instrument

Players Age

Arm Length

Violin Size

Bow Size

11 years to Adult

23"

4/4 or Full

4/4

Small Teen / Adult

22" and small hands

7/8

4/4

9-12

21.5"-22"

3/4

3/4

7-9

20

1/2

1/2

5-7

18"-18.5"

1/4

1/4

4-6

16.5"

1/8

1/8

4-5

15"

1/10

1/10

3-5

14"

1/16

1/16

Player's Age

Arm Length (to base of fingers)

Viola Size

Bow Length

Large Adult

26"

16"

29.25" Full Size

Average Adult

25" - 25.25"

15.5"

29.25"

Small Adult, Child 10-12 years

24.5"

15"

29.25"

9-12 years

23"

14"

29.25"

7-9 years

21.5"-22"

13"

27" (3/4 Violin)

6-7 years

20"

12"

24.5" (1/2 Violin)