My daughter is just 9 years old and has been learning the violin for 3 years. She is rather good - and would also like to play viola. Is she too young to start (based on sizes of violas)? I have been told to buy her a full size violin and then just switch the strings to viola ones.

What are your thoughts?

my thoughts is she must be really good by now lol!

I play the violin too and i am 12. I am in a school orchestra and the violas aren`t that big. there is a short, skinny kid in the orchestra(no offense, lol)and he can play well. He looks like a 9 year old and the size of him. Your daughter probably could try it out in a general music store and see if her arms can reach the scroll. This will tell you if it is too big or small. But they also sell small violas too. They are the size of a full size violin. Of course she could play!

try a small 12" viola. They`re rare, but in existance. 14" violas quite violas are common.

i agree, she must be pretty darn good. i always loved violins.........