• The Domenico Dragonetti® instrument selection is curated and recommended by professional artists who also teach music.

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• We rent and sell easy-to-play, properly sized string instruments.

• At our shop, you'll receive honest, expert advice, and we'll happily customise your violin, viola, or cello.

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• “Properly sized” means the instrument fits the player so they can hold and play it comfortably with correct posture and hand position. A good fit makes learning and playing easier, improves tone and intonation, and reduces the risk of tension or injury.

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• What it covers ?

• Body/scale size: the instrument’s physical size (fractional sizes for student instruments: 1/16 → 1/10 → 1/8 → 1/4 → 1/2 → 3/4 → 4/4 for violins; similar fractions exist for cellos and violas).

• Neck and fingerboard length: determines reach and spacing between notes.

• String action and setup: string height, bridge shape and nut height—affects playability even if the size is close.

• Accessories and adjustments: chinrest, shoulder rest, tailgut and endpin length (cellos) that help position an instrument to fit a player’s body.

• Why it matters ?

• Comfort and posture: easier to maintain correct arm/elbow/shoulder positions.

• Technique development: appropriate finger spacing and reach tone, helps to achieve accurate intonation, so optimal, faster progress.

• Tone and control: correct hand position and bowing comfort improve sound.

• Injury prevention: reduces strain, tension and the likelihood of repetitive-stress problems.

• How to check sizing (practical)

• Try before you buy: the best test is to have the player hold and play the instrument.

• Arm-measure method (common guideline): have the player extend their left arm horizontally; measure from the neck (where the violin rests) to the middle of the palm — a dealer can match this measurement to the right fractional size. (Exact charts vary by maker—this is a quick shop test.)

• Watch the left hand and elbow: with the instrument held correctly, the left hand should reach the fingerboard comfortably; the elbow should sit under the wrist so fingers fall naturally on the fingerboard.

• Adjust accessories: you can often fine-tune fit with a different chinrest, shoulder rest, or minor setup work.