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> Viola Question?
echelon
post May 1 2008, 05:20 PM
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I've just started learning the viola. I'm Grade 6 flute and Grade 4 piano already.

I've joined an amateur orchestra and I'd like to know about what level (grade standard) I'd need to be in order to move over to the strings section. I'm having lessons and am enjoying learning - in spite of the alto clef!

The standard of players in the orchestra is variable, but I don't really want to look like an idiot by being unable to play anything. I was watching the viola players last week and they didn't seem to move out of first position at all.

Any opinions or suggestions?
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elisabeth_rb
post May 1 2008, 05:29 PM
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To be honest, it depends a lot on how much time you're able to put in to it. Of course, having a musical background is great and will help a lot (and alto clef isn't that bad.....), but strings are a totally different thing to both piano and flute - as you've no doubt discovered already. Finding the note is different from 'just' pressing the key and can take a lot of practise.

I think your best bet is to talk to people in the section you're interested in as well as those who run the orchy you're with. They'll be in the best position to advise you.

Congrats on taking up viola, btw! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
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Minstrel
post May 1 2008, 05:36 PM
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My guess is that they will welcome you with open arms as soon as they get wind of the fact you are a viola player!

Make sure you are comfortable making a good, clear sound, playing in tune and sightreading fairly fluently before you move over to the 'dark side'. That way you will enjoy the experience more and, importantly, be able to make a good contribution to your section right from the start.
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echelon
post May 2 2008, 11:29 AM
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Thanks for the replies. I can only manage one lesson a fortnight due to home committments, so it's kind of frustrating! There's only three viola players in the orchestra and two of them don't seem to play much.
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Devil_Fiddler
post May 2 2008, 11:45 AM
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Would you be able to talk to one of the viola players and ask them about playing and maybe ask if you can have a look at their music?

Good luck with viola though, hope you get much joy from it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
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echelon
post May 2 2008, 04:11 PM
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Yes, I might very well do that. I was peeping over their shoulders last night as the woodwind section was sitting behind them. I saw a lot of semiquavers and didn't look much after that!!!!!!!!!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
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elisabeth_rb
post May 3 2008, 03:55 PM
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Oh semiquavers are OK - as long as they're all on the same few notes!!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
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echelon
post May 6 2008, 04:10 PM
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Yeah, I never thought of that! good point! My optimism remains intact! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
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maya3
post May 6 2008, 06:05 PM
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i think its best to ask the conductor/person who organises it what standard the pieces are. obviously being grade 6 flute wont really help with the viola technique (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) . if the pieces are too difficult then its always something to work towards.

however, saying that i joined an orchestra on viola a week after i started learning.
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ArchedEdge
post May 7 2008, 03:39 PM
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There aren't many viola players around, so normally there's a demand for them

At my school, my teacher doesn't really care about the fact that I only started a while ago and can barely learn to play. And seeing as you already play instruments, you should be able to learn the viola part for the orchestra fairly quickly and be able to play along after a bit of practise, regardless of the fact that you might not totally get all the notes you're playing! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
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echelon
post May 11 2008, 04:44 PM
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Holy Muffins!!!! A week after starting??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

That's good going!
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Matt Molloy
post May 11 2008, 06:16 PM
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QUOTE(echelon @ May 11 2008, 05:44 PM) *

Holy Muffins!!!! A week after starting??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

That's good going!


Holy Muffins?!?! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/woot.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rofl.gif)

I've never heard that before.

Love it!

Cheers,

Matt. (Whose vocabulary is expanding all the time.)
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maya3
post May 11 2008, 08:49 PM
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QUOTE(echelon @ May 11 2008, 05:44 PM) *

Holy Muffins!!!! A week after starting??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

That's good going!


yes it was, but i did have my grade 8 violin so it really was only a question of learning the clef. and i have my little tricks for reading it so i ahve very few problems (as long as i start on the right note)
x
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AnnaPianna
post May 12 2008, 12:48 PM
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Yey, we play the same instruments!!

Isn't alto clef a ######?!!
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elisabeth_rb
post May 12 2008, 09:54 PM
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QUOTE(AnnaPianna @ May 12 2008, 01:48 PM) *

Isn't alto clef a ######?!!

No, you just need to get used to it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I struggle with bass clef, but I know I just need time and work on it.
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