The Viola Thread, Everybody welcome :-D Options

[lottie]

I think we need a viola thread (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

The reason for this is that I am becoming passionate about Violas: the playing, the instruments, the repertoire, and I want to share/hear all about VIOLA things (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) (although I love violins too and the violinists are welcome here (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) )

So let's hear from the violists please (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I'll go first:

In total I've played for about 3 years violin and one year viola (although I had a gap of a year and started again two months ago). I'm planning to join the local orchestra in February and hope to play chamber music in 2011 too. I play duets with my friend as often as we can (mostly sightreading which is brilliant fun!). I'm also going to the Scottish Forum event in Glasgow in April and I'm hoping (hoping hoping) to play a wee bit of Bach (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

I'm about grade 4/5 (passed grade 3 in June 2009) and am currently playing:

Pleyel, Mozart, assorted Baroque: duets for two violas
Kayser studies
Bach - viola transcriptions of the cello suites
Telemann concerto for viola in G
Some of the Grade 4 and 5 ABRSM pieces
Scales
Daft stuff I make up myself usually to practice things like vibrato and various positions (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif)

I am listening to every piece of viola music I can find but my current favourite is the Bruch concerto for Viola and Clarinet (heaven, because I used to play the clarinet) and OF COURSE the Bach suites. There are some fabulous viola concertos out there so I will post more about them later. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I am reading the Menuhin book and have ordered the Lionel Tertis book 'My Viola and I'.

My Viola is called Pan (Agapanthus) and is the top range Yita model (made in 2008). I'm currently saving up to buy my dream viola (out there somewhere (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) )

(IMG:http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/zilloot/panandeffy.jpg)


Oh, all right.... you can post your Viola jokes here if you must... I'm big enough to have a laugh (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[muzikalbadger]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/woot.gif) I LOVE this thread lottie!!! I got given my viola in June 2010, and am around grade 5 ish on it, NOT because I am a genius (i wish!!! lol) but because I teach violin, and when I was at school learning violin my teacher was actually a violist who gave me extra lessons on a viola for a year and i fell in love (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) sadly uni etc and lack of funds scuppered my plans of actually learning it properly, so I am so pleased I finally have the chance to try teaching myself a bit... hoping to take grade 5 or 6 on it next year!

I soooo want to hear you play in Glasgow lottie!!! looking forward to it!!

Any tips and hints on how to play better are always appreciated!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Here's to VIOLAS!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hurrah.gif)

[aesir22]

I'm a pianist/violinist....and secret violist! Recieved my viola last month from lottie (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Renamed her Rosali (from Twilight (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif))

I am pre-pre-pre-pre-pre grade one (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I like my viola, which now has D'adarrio Pro Arte strings on it. I regretably have barely had a chance to touch it this month, along with piano and violin, due to work/xmas/illness etc. And am moving home this weekend so it'll still be sorely neglected (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I like this piece http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOOrUcZBBDo on both viola and violin (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[willobie]

I have Gumbo - a 15 inch Gliga Gama viola.
I have to confess that he never gets practised (I still find him a bit too big for comfort) but do play him in a couple of orchestras on a semi-regular basis. I have even played him at forum concerts. I took Grade 5 a couple of years ago but, since I did minimal practice beforehand and none since, I have made no progress since then.

Perhaps this year I will get my act together and play him a bit more regularly...


W (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

[Flossie]

I have Gumbo - a 15 inch Gliga Gama viola.
I have to confess that he never gets practised (I still find him a bit too big for comfort) but do play him in a couple of orchestras on a semi-regular basis. I have even played him at forum concerts. I took Grade 5 a couple of years ago but, since I did minimal practice beforehand and none since, I have made no progress since then.

Perhaps this year I will get my act together and play him a bit more regularly...


W (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) Is your viola really only a 15 inch, willobie. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) It looked huge to me (bigger than Babybird's, Phantagomoria's - you know who I mean even though I can't spell her username - and Nicia's) and I assumed it was a 17 inch. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) Or have you changed violas? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[willobie]

I have Gumbo - a 15 inch Gliga Gama viola.
I have to confess that he never gets practised (I still find him a bit too big for comfort) but do play him in a couple of orchestras on a semi-regular basis. I have even played him at forum concerts. I took Grade 5 a couple of years ago but, since I did minimal practice beforehand and none since, I have made no progress since then.

Perhaps this year I will get my act together and play him a bit more regularly...


W (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) Is your viola really only a 15 inch, willobie. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) It looked huge to me (bigger than Babybird's, Phantagomoria's - you know who I mean even though I can't spell her username - and Nicia's) and I assumed it was a 17 inch. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) Or have you changed violas? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

I did change but I think that was before I met you - and that was only from a 15.5... Last time I saw you, I was playing a violin...

W (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[Flossie]

I have Gumbo - a 15 inch Gliga Gama viola.
I have to confess that he never gets practised (I still find him a bit too big for comfort) but do play him in a couple of orchestras on a semi-regular basis. I have even played him at forum concerts. I took Grade 5 a couple of years ago but, since I did minimal practice beforehand and none since, I have made no progress since then.

Perhaps this year I will get my act together and play him a bit more regularly...


W (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) Is your viola really only a 15 inch, willobie. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) It looked huge to me (bigger than Babybird's, Phantagomoria's - you know who I mean even though I can't spell her username - and Nicia's) and I assumed it was a 17 inch. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) Or have you changed violas? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

I did change but I think that was before I met you - and that was only from a 15.5... Last time I saw you, I was playing a violin...

W (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Yes you were playing a violin last time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) For some reason I have a distinct memory of you playing a viola that looked huge. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) A light coloured viola.

Very strange. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) I can picture you really clearly with it (and where in the room you were standing). Did you try someone else's viola maybe? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[lottie]

I soooo want to hear you play in Glasgow lottie!!! looking forward to it!!

Oh I'll be soooo scared - I may chicken-out altogether (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) But I hope not (IMG:style_emoticons/default/violin.gif)

It's just that I'm still a beginner and still scratchy and sometimes touch the wrong string and sometimes my fourth finger just doesn't hit it properly (my fingers are quite short) although I'm about to try a 'Flesch' chinrest to see if that helps (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[muzikalbadger]

I soooo want to hear you play in Glasgow lottie!!! looking forward to it!!

Oh I'll be soooo scared - I may chicken-out altogether (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) But I hope not (IMG:style_emoticons/default/violin.gif)

It's just that I'm still a beginner and still scratchy and sometimes touch the wrong string and sometimes my fourth finger just doesn't hit it properly (my fingers are quite short) although I'm about to try a 'Flesch' chinrest to see if that helps (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Dont worry lottie, im sure there will be several other "beginners" there, and i'm equally sure that you will do well, and everyone will enjoy listening to you play!! Please don't chicken out!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[viola-mad]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/niceThread.gif)
I've been playing viola for about 15 years on and off, and violin for 10 years before that, so I quite like violin too. I play anything I can get my hands on but particularly love the Bach Cello Suites and more recently am getting into the Telemann Fantasias (also for unaccompanied viola, but this time transcribed from the originals for violin). Currently working on some Schumann and Grainger, and loving it.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/party2.gif) Yay for violas! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party2.gif)

[lottie]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/niceThread.gif)
I've been playing viola for about 15 years on and off, and violin for 10 years before that, so I quite like violin too. I play anything I can get my hands on but particularly love the Bach Cello Suites and more recently am getting into the Telemann Fantasias (also for unaccompanied viola, but this time transcribed from the originals for violin). Currently working on some Schumann and Grainger, and loving it.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/party2.gif) Yay for violas! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party2.gif)

Ooh I had just begun looking at the Telemann Fantasias (easy bits) on violin and loved them... so they have been transcribed for Viola eh??? *off to rake up some pocket-money* (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Fillyjonk]

hello, can I join in?

I've been learning the viola for about 18 months ish. Did violin as a child to grade 5, then had a break of eek 21 years, restarted violin and quite quickly switched to viola. At school only the very good violinists got to play the viola...

Am hitting a bit of a hill atm with the whole thing. I've been working on grade 5 pieces for about 4 months now, I'm not sure whether that is a long time but it feels like it. I've changed teachers, which has worked really well, and was what I needed but has also brought home to me that I'm in the middle of a hard slog with viola atm, there are a lot of technique issues that I have that need constant attention, or it feels that way! If I didn't love it I'd be very grumpy by now.

i play viola in a local amateur orchestra and also, on the violin (and sometimes viola) do various folk music things, esp welsh fiddle music which I love.

[2childmum]

A viola thread is a very good thing!

I started playing exactly 2 years ago, although I did have about 6 lessons whilst in the 6th form at school, but didn't play again for 20-odd years, so pretty much started from scratch.

I am supposed to be learning the grade 5 scales, and working on some Sevcik exercises but they have sort of tailed off a bit lately. I'm finishing off various bits at the moment - mainly a Corelli sonata - i have a bit of a love affair with baroque music on the viola (never took to it on the piano).

I love Rebecca Clarke's music and have been working at 'I'll Bid My Heart Be Still' on and off for a while. I was thinking about playing it at the adult learner's concert in Teddington, but it tends to fall apart in public - I think I love it too much so playing well becomes really important and the pressure I put myself under means it all goes pear shaped. I think I will play something else I learnt a while ago which I quite like but doesn't mean quite so much to me. If i ever get round to sending in the form that is.

I joined an orchestra in September and managed to get through the first concert just before Christmas without playing loudly in the rests, which was my main concern. A few correct notes may have slipped in too!

I'm also playing in a string quartet, although we don't manage to get together that often. That's what I enjoy the most - solos are just too nerve wracking, but somehow playing with other people works much better for me.

I am looking forward to my birthday in March, when hopefully my mum will buy me the cello suites and other family members will give me money and I can go on a music spending spree. Any suggesions?

[lottie]

hello, can I join in?

Definitely (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Tell us more about the technical issues you're having... I've got all sorts of questions about playing so I'm curious. Also please tell us more about folk and 'fiddle' playing on the viola you are doing! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

A viola thread is a very good thing!

I started playing exactly 2 years ago, although I did have about 6 lessons whilst in the 6th form at school, but didn't play again for 20-odd years, so pretty much started from scratch.

I am supposed to be learning the grade 5 scales, and working on some Sevcik exercises but they have sort of tailed off a bit lately. I'm finishing off various bits at the moment - mainly a Corelli sonata - i have a bit of a love affair with baroque music on the viola (never took to it on the piano).

I love Rebecca Clarke's music and have been working at 'I'll Bid My Heart Be Still' on and off for a while. I was thinking about playing it at the adult learner's concert in Teddington, but it tends to fall apart in public - I think I love it too much so playing well becomes really important and the pressure I put myself under means it all goes pear shaped. I think I will play something else I learnt a while ago which I quite like but doesn't mean quite so much to me. If i ever get round to sending in the form that is.

I joined an orchestra in September and managed to get through the first concert just before Christmas without playing loudly in the rests, which was my main concern. A few correct notes may have slipped in too!

I'm also playing in a string quartet, although we don't manage to get together that often. That's what I enjoy the most - solos are just too nerve wracking, but somehow playing with other people works much better for me.

I am looking forward to my birthday in March, when hopefully my mum will buy me the cello suites and other family members will give me money and I can go on a music spending spree. Any suggesions?

That all sounds really interesting and you'll LOVE the Bach cello suites when you get them. I dream of playing in a string quartet one day (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) If you're looking for music the Telemann Concerto in G is really nice and not too challenging - you should manage it well at Grade 5 I think (I'm not an expert just a beginner (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ) The Corelli sounds good - I'm a big Baroque fan on any instrument! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

[viola-mad]

Ooh I had just begun looking at the Telemann Fantasias (easy bits) on violin and loved them... so they have been transcribed for Viola eh??? *off to rake up some pocket-money* (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Indeed they have. The only one I could find in print was a Viola World publication, and I must admit I think the way it has been printed is not that good. It looks all crammed in and squashed (which makes the pages look black and scary!). Perhaps consider searching for a second hand copy of a different edition? Or you could, of course, memorise the violin ones and then just play them on your viola. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) All that's been done in the transcription is that they've been taken down a 5th and written in alto clef.