Which Is Louder: Violin or Guitar? The Truth May Surprise You
Sound Basics: What “Loud” Really Means
Before we throw a violin and guitar into a battle of decibels, let’s get something straight: loudness isn’t just about what sounds “louder” to your ears. It’s a combo of sound pressure level (SPL), the instrument’s acoustic design, and how it’s played.
Violin and guitar both fall into the “acoustic” camp (unless we’re talking amps, which is another story entirely), but they produce sound very differently. So yeah, comparing them is a bit like comparing apples and… apples with bows.
Violin Volume: Small Body, Big Projection
How does a violin project sound?
Despite its size, the violin can get surprisingly loud, especially in a small room. When a bow is drawn across the strings, it creates a continuous vibration, amplified by the hollow wooden body. The shape of the violin and the soundpost inside help project the sound outward like a mini sound cannon.
The violin’s average loudness when played normally is about 75–85 dB. But a trained violinist playing fortissimo? That can spike to 90–95 dB, sometimes more. That’s about as loud as a lawnmower right next to you. (Yikes.)
But it also depends on where you're standing
Trust me, if you’re standing right next to a violin being played with full force, you’ll flinch. But a few meters away, the sound drops off faster than you might expect.
Guitar Volume: Strings and Resonance
Acoustic guitar – warm but softer?
The acoustic guitar, when strummed with energy, typically hits 70–80 dB. It’s loud enough for intimate settings, cafés, or campfires, but won’t cut through an orchestra.
Why? The guitar has a larger body, but it lacks the aggressive bow action of the violin. Plucked strings just don’t excite the air the same way — they start strong, but the sound fades quicker.
Classical vs steel-string guitars
Steel-string acoustics tend to be louder than classical (nylon string) guitars. Still, even the loudest acoustic guitar won’t overpower a violin in full swing — especially not indoors.
Real-World Contexts: It’s Not Just About Decibels
In a band or orchestra
Violins are built to be heard. In an orchestra of 60+ musicians, they’re still noticeable. Guitars? Not so much. Unless amplified, they can get drowned out easily.
Fun fact: I once played acoustic guitar in a small ensemble next to a violinist, and honestly? I had to strum like my life depended on it just to hear myself. The violin was soaring. I was… struggling.
Indoors vs outdoors
Outdoors, neither instrument carries far without amplification. Indoors, violins can feel sharp and piercing (especially in smaller rooms with reflective surfaces). Guitars sound warm, but their volume kind of hugs you instead of punching through.
So... which is actually louder?
Short answer: The violin wins — especially when played aggressively.
But does that mean it's “better”? Nope. Guitar has its own vibe — fuller chords, rhythmic presence, mellow tones. It just won’t shake the walls like a violin can when pushed.
Final thoughts:
If you're deciding between violin and guitar based on loudness alone, know this: violins project louder in most settings. But volume isn’t everything. Sometimes you want power. Sometimes you want groove. And hey, if you really want to be loud? Get an amp.
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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
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