The next step is a Stradivarius! (IMC Toys Barbie Electronic Violin)

Member Name: mumto3

Product:	IMC Toys Barbie Electronic Violin
Date:	25/04/09 (331 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Bright - Girly - not too loud - a bit different

Disadvantages: You rock rather than slide the bow

My daughter recently celebrated her 5th birthday and we had a party for her which a few of her school friends attended. One of the many gifts she received was this Barbie Electronic violin.

I had never seen the violin for sale anywhere and didn't realise that they were available. The violin is made of hard plastic and comes with a solid plastic bow. Both pieces are obviously made in the fetching Barbie pink that is instantly recognisable. The violin is decorated with flowers and butterflies and the bow has a small flower on each end but is otherwise just plain. The violin is made to look like a standard violin but does not have any strings. There are three buttons on the neck of the violin and a small rocking part where you place the bow. The violin can be switched on and off using a small button on the back. This toy comes complete with batteries which are inside a secure section on the back of the neck. You will need two AA batteries and a screwdriver when they need to be replaced.

The violin plays 8 different tunes but you can also 'play' the tunes yourself by using the bow. You can adjust the tempo and change the tune that you are playing. Unfortunately we never did read the instructions and so we just press randomly at the buttons and see what happens. As my children are five, three and one this is fine with them and they don't mind what happens as long as the violin makes lots of noise. My daughter likes to pretend that she is playing the violin and so prefers this setting but they all enjoy using the violin as a radio and letting it play away to itself.

The violin is quite sturdy and I don't think there are any small parts that are likely to come off. This violin has taken quite a battering and is routinely dumped into a toy box and so far it is unscathed. The violin is recommended for children aged over 3 years and this is probably about right. I don't think a child younger than this would necessarily have any trouble using the violin but the Barbie theme would be wasted on them. The music is not too loud but has the same tone as all the other electronic toys seem to have. There is no volume control so you cannot turn it down if it does get annoying but at least it means your children cannot turn it up either.

On the whole I think the violin is a very nice toy and it makes a change to see a violin as opposed to a guitar or keyboard. I have found the violin for sale on www.amazon.co.uk priced at £14.67 with free delivery and I would say that this is probably a fair price. I have not seen the toy in any toy shops yet so cannot say that it is available cheaper elsewhere.

The only downside I would say is that to play the violin you place the bow onto a small rocking butterfly and gently tilt the bow from side to side rather than sliding the bow across the strings or neck. I appreciate that this is probably easier and there is less chance of any breakages but it just doesn't seem right to me.

I would recommend this toy to anyone who has little girls as it is bright and girly and very entertaining.

Summary: A well made entertaining toy for your budding Sarah Chang