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Hi,
I've never touched a violin before, but I'd like to learn to play one! So, I was wondering what I might need.
Obviously I'm going to need a violin. I'm looking at the Fiddlerman Apprentice Violin, the Fiddlerman Concert Violin, or the Fiddlerman Master Violin. If I'm going to spend $299 for the Apprentice, I figure I might as well save up another $100 for the $399 Concert (I really like the look of it also). But, I'm not sure if I should save up another $200 past that for a $599 Master.
Seeing as how I'll probably be playing later on in the day and our house is kind of small, I'm thinking about getting a Glaesel Ultra Practice Mute and an Artino Practice Mute (I think that should be sufficient).
What do you guys think? Is there anything else I need?
Thanks! =)
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welcome @Ellusion!
Well you got that part right, you definably need a violin to start to learn. I've heard great things about all the fiddlerman violins so i don't think you can go wrong with any of them. I have heard his master violin with him playing it and it sounded great! but i know there are quite a few people here who play all three of them and from some of the videos you won't go wrong with any. and most beginner violins come with a case so you won't have to worry about that!
You'll also need a bow, unless you just want to pluck the strings but then that won't get you to far 
I recommend the Fiddlerman Carbon fiber bow. I currently play with that one and its great. its light and well balanced and easy to work with. much easier then the student one i originally purchased with my violin, for the same price!
Next i would say a good rosin. Don't go with the cheap $2 rosins. spend a bit more money and buy a better professional rosin. its crazy how much difference a good rosin can make in sound. i've heard good things about the D'addario kaplan art craft rosin. I currently use Hill Dark rosin and love it. It lasts a really long time so no use in going with the cheap stuff. you will get your money's worth out of it.
next i would say a good teaching book of some sort. I use the Essential Elements 2000 books. It has helped teach me to read music as well works well to progressively teach how to play without being to fast paced or assuming you know a lot. There are many teaching books out there that do a good job, but i can only comment on the ones i use but i'm sure some on here can tell you some good ones!
And finally, some dedication and motivation! at first it can be so discouraging trying to get good sound out of the violin and hit the right notes but with some perseverance all of a sudden it will get better! its such a fulfilling journey! we are all here to help as much as we can! feel free to post video, ask questions and search the old archives for lots of questions we all ask or are confused about starting out! good luck and i hope to hear more about the journey you are about to embark on! Its a very rewarding experience 
Lead me, Follow me, or get out of my way!
~General George S. Patton
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Thanks rockinglr33.
All of the Fiddlerman outfits come with that bow that rockinglr33 mentioned in her comment above so you'd be set that way.
The above recommended book is a great idea as well. Possibly, depending on your build but difficult to say in advance, you could enjoy a different shoulder-rest and or perhaps a chin-rest comforter such as this one for more comfort. There is a great chance that you will be very content with the outfit as it comes.
As far as the mutes go, the heavy steel mutes give the best reduction of sound by far.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Thanks! =)
I lol'd at the bow part. The violins I listed come with a Fiddlerman Carbon fiber bow and dark D'addario kaplan art craft rosin, so that's good to know. =)
As far as the books go, I found Essential Elements for Strings: Violin Book 1 , Essential Elements 2000 for Strings: Violin Book 2 , and Essential Technique 2000 for Strings: Violin. Which (or all) of these would you suggest I get?
Thanks for the great advice! =D
If I find my violin not feeling very comfortable, I'll look into those. =)
I'll probably end up getting all three of the mutes, that way I can dampen the sound as needed.
Thanks! =)
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I'd say start with Essential Elements 2000 for violin book 1. see if you like it before yo buy book 2. its actually a 4 or 5 book series. I have the EE2000 for violin book 1. I'm not sure about the one thats EE 2000 for strings violin. i think that might be more geared towards a school thats working with an orchestra.
As for shoulder rest, i highly recommend one to start. you can get wicked neck cramps without realizing how much strain your putting on your neck. I really like the everest they sell it on fiddlershop its pretty cheap and works well for me.
Lead me, Follow me, or get out of my way!
~General George S. Patton
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oh oops Essential technique is the third or fourth book in the series. sorry i read it wrong when i posted.
Lead me, Follow me, or get out of my way!
~General George S. Patton
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There are so many different Essential Elements books that I'm not sure which one is the right one. Would you happen to have a link? 
Seeing as how the violins come with a Muco shoulder rest, I should probably see if I like it before I would get another, but the Everest ones look pretty nice.
Thanks again! =)
Honorary tenured advisor
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Ellusion said
There are so many different Essential Elements books that I'm not sure which one is the right one. Would you happen to have a link?
Seeing as how the violins come with a Muco shoulder rest, I should probably see if I like it before I would get another, but the Everest ones look pretty nice.
Thanks again! =)
If you're getting them off of amazon, then here are links to the first two. I think they are identical to the 2000 series with the exception that they took 2000 off the cover since that was 14 years ago now.
http://www.amazon.com/Essentia.....ments+book
qid=1395011569&sr=8-2&keywords=violin+essential+elements+book
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~Herm Albright
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