Violins
Violins, along with the rest of the String family, (violas, cellos and basses) are an integral part of the Symphony Orchestra. The instrument is commonly associated with classical music, but there are other genres such as blue grass, folk and various styles of "fiddle music". It's also occasionally heard in blues, jazz and rock.

Contrary to some popular beliefs, the violin is not a particularly difficult instrument to play, and with consistent practice beginners usually make rapid progress, playing simple melodies relatively quickly. The violin is particularly child-friendly in that it comes in a variety of sizes. As a student grows, the instrument can be traded for larger sizes. It is critical that a student has the proper size instrument.

A violin that is too large in proportion to the size of the student can create a very uncomfortable situation. In extreme situations, this can lead to tendonitis leaving students discouraged and turned off to the instrument.

Types
Student
These violins are produced for beginning students and are often produced by machine. Maple is sometimes used for high friction parts (pegs, fingerboard) and dyed to resemble the more expensive Ebony, which is found on most violins. These instruments are excellent for the early stages of development and are priced to easily fit into most budgets.
Intermediate
These instruments represent better quality wood and workmanship, most (if not all) of which is done by hand. The result is an instrument that sounds better and will accommodate a player to more advanced levels of play. Pegs and fingerboard are usually made of Ebony. Extensive hand graduation of the top and back of the violin result in a more refined sound. Some intermediate violins may approach the professional level of performance.
Pro
These are violins made from only the finest woods and built with a near fanatical devotion to every detail of the instruments construction and appearance. Because of the relatively low number of craftsman skilled at this level, and the number of hours required to produce an instrument of this caliber with a select piece of natural wood, the price of these instruments is considerably higher.

Violas
The Viola, along with the rest of the String family, (violins, cellos and basses) is an integral part of the Symphony Orchestra. It has four strings producing tones a fifth lower than the corresponding strings on the violin and is slightly larger.

The instrument is commonly associated with classical music, and is found in orchestras and string quartets. The viola is particularly child-friendly in that it comes in a variety of sizes. As a student grows, the instrument can be traded for larger sizes

It's critical that a student has the proper size instrument. A viola that is too large in proportion to the size of the student can create a very uncomfortable situation. A viola with a body length of 15-inches or greater is considered to be "full size".