ICAATS

When the Suzuki program was introduced into the musical world, it completely revolutionized the way music was taught. With this introduction, came the need for smaller solo violin structures, so children could learn music at a much earlier age. With that being the case, violins were made in 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, and even 1/32 sizes. The purpose for this was to allow students to play on instruments that were the proper size for them, play the violin so they could learn better. The 1/16 violin is especially popular among very young children.

The Suzuki method for teaching music to students was shockingly simple and effective. Before this method, students usually had to wait until they were 10 or 12 before learning how to play, even though they were taught to read music. This meant that violinists were less talented because they had less experience. With the Suzuki method of learning, students can start learning to play the violin as young as age three.

The Suzuki method also teaches the young children to memorize the music rather than learning to read it right away. This gives the children an easier time of leaning, and enables them to start playing songs right away. It also gives them many more years of experience so that the violinist reaches higher levels of talent sooner. The most common size of violin to start off with is the 1/16 violin size, which is one of the smallest.

A 1/16 violin is made just like a full-size violin. Because of its smaller size, however, finer details are sometimes ignored. In addition, the violins are constructed for children, so the quality of materials used is often much rougher, with construction designed for affordability and durability. That durability, however, compromises sound quality, and the smaller size provides less room for the strings to be amplified, so very little sound is actually produced. While a better bow is made of wood and horsehair, the child’s bow is generally no longer than eight inches and consists of a fiberglass stick with plastic hairs attached.

While the 1 16 violin is an incredible invention in terms of its usefulness in allowing children to learn to play a musical instrument, it should be considered nothing more than a learning violin. Other than a learning tool, these small instruments have very little value. They do have their place in the music world however, as they have made it possible for very young children to learn to play.