Editing Violin (section)

=== Sizes ===
[[File:LembeyeLembeyon.jpg|thumb|left|Fractional ({{frac|1|16}}) and full size ({{frac|4|4}}) violins]]
Apart from the standard ''full'' ({{frac|4|4}}) size, violins are also made in so-called ''fractional'' sizes of {{frac|7|8}}, {{frac|3|4}}, {{frac|1|2}}, {{frac|1|4}}, {{frac|1|8}}, {{frac|1|10}}, {{frac|1|16}}, {{frac|1|32}} and even {{frac|1|64}}. These smaller instruments are commonly used by young players whose fingers are not long enough to reach the correct positions on full-sized instruments.

While related in some sense to the dimensions of the instruments, the fractional sizes are not intended to be literal descriptions of relative proportions. For example, a {{frac|3|4}}-sized instrument is not three-quarters the length of a full size instrument. The body length (not including the neck) of a full-size, or {{frac|4|4}}, violin is {{convert|356|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}, smaller in some 17th-century models. A {{frac|3|4}} violin's body length is {{convert|335|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}, and a {{frac|1|2}} size is {{convert|310|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}. With the violin's closest family member, the viola, size is specified as body length in inches or centimeters rather than fractional sizes. A [[Viola#Form|full-size viola]] averages {{convert|40|cm|in|0|abbr=on}}. However, each individual adult will determine which size of viola to use.

Occasionally, an adult with a small frame may use a so-called {{frac|7|8}} size violin instead of a full-size instrument. Sometimes called a ''lady's violin'', these instruments are slightly shorter than a full size violin, but tend to be high-quality instruments capable of producing a sound comparable to that of fine full size violins. The sizes of 5-string violins may differ from the normal 4-string.