I don’t understand why people think people think that. I have heard and read this statement before. I don’t think people, or at least a vast majority of people feel that way. 

Sometimes I think some people associate that reasoning with a person who gets a better instrument because they don’t understand that person. Frankly, it is that person’s choice. There is a point where the lower end just does not sound good, no matter how good you play. The quality of the material it is made from does affect sound. There is a point where a student has reached the maximum that lesser quality instrument can deliver.

If someone can afford and wants a Stradivarius, all the power to that person. It does not mean that person thinks (s)he will play better. Maybe that person just wants to have one. If they can get one, so be it. Instruments come in different price ranges. Are we not to venture into a different price range because some people will think, erroneously, that you think it it will turn you into a great musician?

Why does a person buy a BMW rather than Chevy or Ford? Personally, I don’t think the BMW is worth the money. Still has 4 wheels. I don’t want one and wouldn’t spend the money on one if I had it, but if someone else wants to, no skin off my back.  

If someone wants to get a Stradivarius violin, no matter what level they play at, I am happy for that person if they can achieve that goal. It does not mean they think it will turn them into a great musician.

I have upgraded my instruments. It does not make me play better, I know it won’t. The basic sound is what I am interested in, up to what I can afford. Face it, a $60 Celilio is not going to sound as good as a Fiddlerman violin, a majority of the time. I like warm mellow sounds, not bright. From what I have found from info is that it has a lot to do wood age, quality, and Fiddlerman mentioned thickness in regards to cello (probably the same for other strings). I know setup affects it, too. These qualities cost more. I am no way one with perfect pitch, but sounds I do not like really bother me, seriously. The basic undertones need to be pleasing to me. 

Upgrading does not make me play better. The intonation is the same issue. The deal is that the basic sound is mellower and warmer when I upgrade. I am upgrading for basic all around tone. That warmer base tone makes me want to play more. The Rudolf Doetsch violin that I chose was not the most expensive one I tried, it had the warm tine I wanted.

Frankly, I find statements like that insulting, not referring to the poster here, I have heard it from others as matter-of-fact statements, not asking about it. The poster is just wondering about statements that have been made for years. That statement makes a person who hears an instrument they like the sound of kind of self-conscious about buying it. Like they have to have a disclaimer, “I know this won’t make me play better.” I think everyone knows they won’t play better. It almost sounds like sour grapes when it is stated. Again, I am not talking about the poster who is asking about that theory. He is wondering.

The violinist, violist, cellist, etc. will play more often with an instrument they love. That person actually could play better if it feels better in their hands, is easier to bow, etc. Getting that tone, be it warm and mellow, or bright, will make that person listen and pay more attention. 

I think your question opens conversation, but I believe the concept is wrong. An instrument you are proud of, in a way, does make you play better. Will it turn a student into a virtuoso? No. That takes playing, practicing, etc. Will it provide more enjoyment, encouragement? Yes. So, in a way it does make you play better, but not to the degree the statement is referring to. Is it not worthwhile to get upgrade, within your financial well being, if it brings you pure enjoyment? Should you feel guilty and have to have the disclaimer about knowing it won’t make you play better? People wondering that makes you feel like you should.

For the record, I love my new cello. I do find it a bit brighter than I like, but it is mellower and has more projection than my other two.  In a few months when I have it paid for, I will probably go cello tasting again. I can trade it in for full price towards a more mellow (the mellow ones were more expensive and I am gradually achieving my goal) cello. I want to do that before I have a chance to ding it so I get full price towards a mellower one.

Will it make me play better? Not right away. I will enjoy it even more than the one I have. I play and practice this one 2-3 hours every day because I love the sound of it so much. As a result, I have improved. My instructor is very pleased. This is more practicing and playing than the hours I did before, about 1-2 hours.  

It is more enjoyable with the basic sound tone I want. I am not upgrading because I believe it will make me a virtuoso. Unfortunately, the mellower sounding cellos do cost more. If I am lucky, I will find another at the Pawn Shop. I gave my mellow Pawn Shop cello to my niece. So, I might not have to buy a new one and trade in my current one. If I find a good one at the pawn shop again that  we have fun looking through, hey, that will be great and fun.

So, if the upgraded instrument gives the player more enjoyment and encourages more playing time, that upgraded instrument has improved that player’s quality in time. But, is it magically going to turn the player into a virtuoso? No. Do people upgrading thinking it will turn him/her into a virtuoso, I do not think they feel that way. I think that statement and those questions, are based on people who have no desire to get a more expensive instrument (sometimes better and sometimes because it is something they have wanted) having sour grapes, to a point. Maybe, it is just something that person wants to do, that instrument delivers the projection and basic tone desired. If the instrument one has makes one happy, that is great, but one should not question someone else for trading up to something that makes that person happy.

This is not meant to be insulting. I know I feel rather guilty when I upgrade and I feel I need to tell people the disclaimer that I know “it won’t make me better”, because I have heard that question and those statements so often about different items. A more expensive oven will not make you into the world’s best baker.

It will be interesting to read others’ opinions. Hit a nerve, but good topic. If a better instrument makes one play more, that player will play better, over time. I have heard that instructors will tell a student to move up in instrument. Why, if the instrument does not help a student improve? How many parents tell their child they can get a better, generally more expensive, instrument if they work for it? Isn’t that basically the same thing? Are they not saying the child or student will play better with the more expensive instrument? Pretty much the same thing, just not with a Stradivarius.