Hallo, I'm wondering if anyone's from Singapore? I'd love to take up violin but I'm kind of lost when it comes to choosing the instrument.
I've checked out a couple places and all I've found are from;
Prillante, Synwin, J.S Bach and Eurostring.
I don't know if they're any good but I'm hoping to get a violin that can take me through the intermediate level.

Are there any other places where I can get violins and what are the price range(s) that I should expect?
Is it possible to rent violins in Singapore and locations?

Thank you for reading and (hopefully) replies! I can't really get much information from the local sites, ANY information will be much appreciated!!!

Hey, I am so surprised to find a S'porean here! At last, someone from my timezone!
I am a S'porean mommy of 2 tiny violinists (age 5, 3).
Your question is where to learn violin or buy violin?

Yes, Prillante, Synwin and Eurostring are the most popular students violins here. They are made in China. If you are looking for a better one that could bring you to intermediate levels, you could try their higher-end models. Entry level ones start at abt S$125, going up to abt $300-$400 for intermediate level ones, and possibly 4 digits for higher-end ones. You could visit Synwin's shop, they are quite friendly. My youngest son uses a 1/10 Synwin. He dropped it on the floor and flattened part of the bridge. Synwin chaps repaired it for us FOC.
I've never heard of rentals here. You could try the auction sites for second hand ones though.
Also, get a good teacher. It makes alot of difference!

HallO!!! Thank you very much for your prompt reply, hee~ Was wondering if there would be any reply 'cause I've seen posts and most are living all around the globe except S.E Asia ^^;

Wow, age 5 and 3! I didn't know there's violins for age 3... By the way, are they enrolled in schools or private teachers? Are you playing/learning the violin as well? I've called up a private teacher (rates are $70/hr), is it considered an average market rate?

My question was actually where to purchase violin. I see most students getting Synwin's, maybe I should head down their shop and have a look. Oh, did Synwin's staff helped both your children pick their violins (since it's their first, right?)

Thanks for the auction tips, went to check and there were several but not much... I remember there's a violin, Dvorak or something which is going at 1k and above.

Oh my, I better stop... Think I've wrote quite a lot ^^; Thank you soooo much for your information and help! Talk to you again *wiNks* ~

Hallo! Thanks for the profile function ^_______^ Didn't noticed about the account information as my sister was the one who registered then^^; Thank you again, later~

Hi Wind,
Yes, my 5 year old son uses a 1/8 second hand Suzuki violin, and my 3 year old uses a 1/10 Synwin. They are both under the same violin teacher, who has his own small-scale music school in Toa Payoh. My son also takes piano lessons there.
He charges $90/mth (for weekly 45 min lessons) for beginners and the rate escalates as you go up the grades. His charges are considered very reasonable. Other bigger music school typically charge at least $120 for 4 30 minutes lessons.
Well, $70/hr is quite expensive for complete beginner. Also, you dun need 1 hr lesson. For begineer, 30min to 45 min /lesson is good enough, depending on your absorption and whether you practise regularly. I feel that it is a waste of money to go to lessons if you dun practise because the teacher wont be able to teach you new things.
My 5 yr old has been learning for 6 mths and will be taking his ABRSM grade 3 next March. He is very fast, considering he completed Suzuki Book 1 and 2 in 6 mths, because he practises consistently (under my watchful eye:>everyday. I dont play the violin, but I sit in the lessons, and learn to read notes alongside him so that I can guide him at home.
Nice talking to you. Do keep us posted of your "progress"!

Hi,
I'm Singaporean, but live in the U.K. Violin lessons are so much cheaper than violin lessons in the U.K.! Well, the British pound is very strong against every other currency.

Hey hi! How old are you? I just took up violin about a month ago. I bought a Synwin violin too, but I got my teacher to choose the violin for me.

Hallo all!!!~

Novice: 加油!!! for your son's exam ^O^/
That's great! You get to learn as well, huh?! How I wish my mum did that then... Wow, compared my $70/hr to yours... Are your children taught in groups or individual? Hmmsz, have to ask around for other teachers then, thanks~
Hee, don't worry... I'd practice everyday for sure! Completed my piano grades (took me long enough since I've had a 5 yr break in between) and I'm not going for diploma, at least for now... So I want to pick up another instrument just for leisure, NO EXAMS~
Hee, thank you for everything and I'd be sure to keep you posted!!!

Star: Yup, no doubt about that! Paid a visit to a friend in London last year and my, stuff are EX x_x Didn't really did much shopping (although I'm a shopaholic!)
So how long have you been playing violin or did you start learning recently? Did you get your violin in UK or in SG?

Cray: I'm old, 19 hee~ That's great so how's lessons so far? You bought straight from their shop? Did you get to play the violin before purchasing or your teacher just picked for you? By the way, may I ask the rates of your teacher? Hee, asked a lot of questions^^;


Thanks everyone for the replies!!! ^(+++++++++++++++++++)^ Talk to guys again~
『Gwen ∴』

Hi Wind,
The rates we are paying is for individual. I happen to be at United Sq yesterday and I checked out the rates at Mandeville Music and Drama for indv violin classes. 45 min sessions for grade 2-8, ranges from S$199.5 to S$252 /4 sessions, depending on the popularity of the teacher. FYI..

Yup, my teacher tried a couple of violins in that price range to pick the better sounding one. I'm only a year younger than you, not exactly young hurr. (: My teacher charges 100 bucks per 45 mins.

To voice_168

Hi,

I'm looking for a violin teacher for my kids. Would it be possible to get your kids' teacher's contact please? Would appreciate if very much! Thank you!

ooops, I meant to type novice_168. :-( My bad.

Can I please get the contact info for the music teacher in Toa Payoh? I'm looking for a violin teacher for my kids.

Thank you!

Hi Slk,
The teacher is currently not accepting any new students now cos he's schedule is very full. Sorry abt that.. :>

To novice_168

Thanks for letting me know. Actually it's not for now. It's for when we move back to Singapore in about 1+ year's time. I'm already starting to line things up as best as I can so that it'll "fall" into place in our ballpark estimate timing.

Would you mind helping me to ask the teacher if we can be on a waitlist or something? I would like to get in touch with him (her?) directly to also find out more about the teaching methods, so as not to trouble you even more. If you don't wish to post the contact info on this forum, can you e-mail to me at ming 3boys @ hot mail . com ? Much appreciated! Thank you.

I have emailed you.. :>

<Added>

Oh yes, abt teaching methods.
He uses classical methods, and ABRSM syllabus (scales, sightreading, etc). And he uses the Suzuki books for repertoire. He uses up to Book4. After that, he compiles songs from diff periods and styles, cos he feels that Suzuki songs tend to be from the same period, hence using songs from other books will provide more variation in bowing styles, etc.