How to measure for a string instrument
Violins, violas, cellos, and guitars come in fractional sizes to accommodate young beginners. The guides on this page will help you choose the right size based on a simple measurement.
If you find that the student is in between sizes, we recommend choosing the smaller size. You can always exchange for the larger size as the child grows while you are renting from Elefante Music.
VIOLIN
Size range: 1/16 – 4/4 (“full”)
How to measure: Have the student stand up tall and hold an arm out straight to the side so that it is perpendicular to their body and the palm is turned upwards. Then measure from where the neck meets the shoulder to the center of the palm.
Measurement & Violin Size
14-15.4″ — 1/16 Violin
15.4-16.9″ — 1/10 Violin
16.9-18.5″ — 1/8 Violin
18.5-20.4″ — 1/4 Violin
20.4-22.2″ — 1/2 Violin
22.2-23.6″ — 3/4 Violin
23.6″or more — 4/4 Violin
VIOLA
Size range: 12″ – 16″
How to measure: Have the student stand up tall and hold an arm out straight to the side so that it is perpendicular to their body and the palm is turned upwards. Then measure from where the neck meets the shoulder to the center of the palm.
Measurement & Viola Size
Below 21.5″ — 12″ Viola
21.5-23″ — 13″ Viola
23-24.5″ — 14″ Viola
24.5-26″ — 15″ Viola
26″ or more — 16″ Viola
CELLO
Size range: 1/10 – 4/4 (“full”)
How to measure: Use the child’s height to choose their cello size
Height & Cello Size
3.0′ — 1/10 Cello
3-3.5′ — 1/8 Cello
3.5-4′ — 1/4 Cello
4-4.5′ — 1/2 Cello
4.5-5′ — 3/4 Cello
5′ and up — 4/4 Cello
GUITAR
Size range: 1/4 – 4/4
How to measure: Use the child’s height to choose their guitar size
Height & Guitar Size
3′ – 4′ — 1/4 size guitar
4′ – 4.5′ — 1/2 size guitar
4.5′ – 5′ — 3/4 size guitar
5’+ — 4/4 or any standard size acoustic or electric guitar
Upright bass, also called string bass or double bass, is a member of the orchestra family. Just as often, however, it appears in jazz, bluegrass, folk, and other genres. With a large hollow body and 4 thick strings, the tones produced by the upright bass are low and rich. The instrument is capable of long, expressive tones when played with a bow; and short, percussive tones when plucked with the strings. String bass is a dynamic and impressive instrument to play!
The oboe is a woodwind and a member of the double-reed family. It is played by blowing air through the reed, attached at the top of the instrument. The reed consists of two very thin pieces of cane, pressed together with a small opening to allow air to pass through. The sound can be high in pitch, but it has a variety of colorful tones, from bright and piercing to low and mysterious.
