The Viola Thread, Everybody welcome :-D Options

[viola-mad]

What I would like now is a little guidance and your opinions on the new syllabus pieces. Let them flow! Also, I need a little guidance on buying a Viola. I'm a Student with a small budget, so I'm limited, hence to need for some help.

Hi AntonPiano, and welcome back to the wonderful world of viola!

If you're looking to buy a viola, I would recommend you try out some of the modern hand-made Chinese models. These tend to be reasonably priced, and it's possible to get a pretty good instrument for your money.

An excellent decision to go for Grade 8 Viola, I must say! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) The current syllabus has 7 pieces on each list, so you've got plenty of choice. Try to set aside an hour or two when you can search and listen to them on you tube (the majority can be found on there somewhere). You might be able to strike a few off the list straight away if you don't much like them, or a couple might stand out as pieces that you absolutely have to play! It will be easier to advise you on them once you've done this.

But there's a great selection of pieces from the Baroque period to pieces by living composers; Bach, Mozart and Brahms to satisfy your 'traditional' classical music needs, through to light music by Leroy Anderson and jazz-influenced music by Paul Coletti. Enjoy exploring and choosing your pieces, and if you want to run any ideas by us, you're in the right place.

[lottie]

Well, bit of a change of plan in the Hannah House (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I've had to pull out of my Grade 4 exam at the last minute due to family difficulties (my mother has had a stroke and wasn't expected to survive, she has, but it's all rather difficult and she's very ill).

However the lovely ABRSM are going to refund my fees and I'm going to enter GRADE FIVE in the next session (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) It was originally supposed to be Grade 5 THIS time round but I lost my nerve a little and entered the lower exam. But I am finding the Grade 4 pieces easy-peasy now so there's not point playing them ALL the way through to next March. (I'm pulling out of the exam because I'll not have much chance to play at all in the next few weeks).

Time to put them away and when I get back to playing when the family stuff settles I'll start to take a good look at the Grade 5 syllabus. Meanwhile I'm still tiddling around with my Bach and Telemann.

Can't wait! Also going to be BOW shopping soon I hope (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) In GLASGOW with Muzikalbadger (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party2.gif)


So what are all my viola colleagues up to these days?????

[onion]

So what are all my viola colleagues up to these days?????

I'm glad to hear that ABRSM have been so thoughtful as to refund your fee. I've been thinking of you and your family lots over the past week or so. It must be nice to a little nice news at such a difficult time.

Grade 5 - (IMG:style_emoticons/default/yay.gif) Sounds like the perfect challenge for you. Do let us know what you decide to play.

I'm enjoying post exam noodling at the moment, starting slowly on Grade 7 scales, and looking at lots of pieces at grades 4, 5 and 6 to really try and focus on musicality. I'm not a naturally musical person and I need lots of work to get really develop my vibrato, intonation etc. Lots of work to do, but hey, this is a long term project so I'm just enjoying the journey.

Take lots of care of you and yours, Lottie.

Enjoy your bow shopping and I hope that Muzikalbadger is a thoroughly bad influence on you!

[2childmum]

Hi - I haven't been on here for a bit, but I am still playing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) At the moment I am working on the first 3 movements of the Telemann concerto. I'm supposed to be sorting out some sort of cadenza but I'm rather stuck - my copy doesn't have one written in and I'm not sure where to start, so any suggestions would be good.

I've also resurrected my Rebecca Clarke piece for the 3rd time. I love it to bits and would love to play it somewhere but so far have chickened out. I could do with a friendly accompanist who could spend some decent time going through it with me - I find that I tend to fall apart when the accompaniment appears.

I'm also playing in an orchestra and have been to some quartet days where we play quartets but as an orchestra with a tutor, which are great fun.

Has anyone done a course at Benslow? Next year they have a course in playing Baroque music on modern instruments which i would be really interested in, so any feedback on courses there would be good. I much prefer playing Baroque music on the viola than on the piano!

Good to hear other viola players are still playing. Maybe we could get together for a viola day at some point - although we seem to live rather far apart!

[onion]

Good to hear other viola players are still playing. Maybe we could get together for a viola day at some point - although we seem to live rather far apart!

I'd be up for a viola day.

[willobie]

Hi - I haven't been on here for a bit, but I am still playing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) At the moment I am working on the first 3 movements of the Telemann concerto. I'm supposed to be sorting out some sort of cadenza but I'm rather stuck - my copy doesn't have one written in and I'm not sure where to start, so any suggestions would be good.

I've also resurrected my Rebecca Clarke piece for the 3rd time. I love it to bits and would love to play it somewhere but so far have chickened out. I could do with a friendly accompanist who could spend some decent time going through it with me - I find that I tend to fall apart when the accompaniment appears.

I'm also playing in an orchestra and have been to some quartet days where we play quartets but as an orchestra with a tutor, which are great fun.

Has anyone done a course at Benslow? Next year they have a course in playing Baroque music on modern instruments which i would be really interested in, so any feedback on courses there would be good. I much prefer playing Baroque music on the viola than on the piano!

Good to hear other viola players are still playing. Maybe we could get together for a viola day at some point - although we seem to live rather far apart!

I did that Baroque course at Benslow last year - it was very good!
I'd certainly be up for a viola day...

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

[2childmum]

I have now declared on the Egham thread that I will play my Rebecca Clarke piece there - so I can't chicken out now! Can't practise at the moment though because yesterday I sliced throught the pad of my ring finger on my left hand (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) It was really deep and wouldn't stop bleeding for ages! It's still wrapped in a plaster and goes across my finger just where the string would go. I'm hoping it might have healed enough for my lesson on Friday.

Onion - maybe we could get together sometime - I would love to play the Telemann canonic sonatas. I've played one with my teacher, but I'm not sure if they get harder through the book - I probably wouldn't get very far but would love to try!

[willobie]

*crawls away, undetected*

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

[muzikalbadger]

Enjoy your bow shopping and I hope that Muzikalbadger is a thoroughly bad influence on you!

Ohhhhh yes..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[lottie]

yes yes yes to a VIOLA day!!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) What a BRILLIANT idea!!!

OR we could all do the Benslow course together? I don't know anything about Benslow but I'll go and have a look....

I've also given up orchestra just now due to the family stuff but after the New Year I should hopefully get back into everything. I'm booked into the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra workshoppy thing in June so can't wait for that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif)

Meanwhile..... I'm sure muzikalbadger would be entirely angelic on a bow shopping expedition.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Hi - I haven't been on here for a bit, but I am still playing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) At the moment I am working on the first 3 movements of the Telemann concerto. I'm supposed to be sorting out some sort of cadenza but I'm rather stuck - my copy doesn't have one written in and I'm not sure where to start, so any suggestions would be good.

Is it the G major concerto? I think my copy might have a cadenza if you'd like to see it. I'll look it out.

[lilly763]

Yay violas! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I just practiced for 1.5 hours, at least .75 of which were spent just trying to play open strings/simple scales/random notes legato (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) I still can't do it! My teacher is trying to get me to use my fingers to help make smooth bow changes, but even after WEEKS I don't understand the concept... it's particularly bad going from upbow to downbow (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) But on a happier note - once I was sick of attempting legato, I moved on to the first two movements of the Arpeggione. I can't play them at all, but regardless (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) Such a perfect, gorgeous piece for the viola. Even though the notes fit better into the cello range and it's much more virtuosic/impressive on the cello, I still prefer the viola version!

[onion]

I'd certainly be up for a viola day...

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

yes yes yes to a VIOLA day!!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) What a BRILLIANT idea!!!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/yay.gif)
We can get together, play viola and eat cake (the last bit is my idea but I think it is a good one!)

The Telemann canonic sonatas look like fun, 2childmum. I don't know them, but should be able to bash through a few.

I do know that there is likely to be a viola playday in Primrose Hill in London in 2012, organised by one of my friends and led by Helen Sanders-Hewett. I'll let folk know more when I get the information.

[lottie]

I do know that there is likely to be a viola playday in Primrose Hill in London in 2012, organised by one of my friends and led by Helen Sanders-Hewett. I'll let folk know more when I get the information.

I could fly down from Scotland - how do you take a viola on a plane? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) It wouldn't fit overhead and there's no way I would put Hannah in the hold!???? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

But otherwise CAKE is a very good friend and invited to all my social events (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (with her twin COFFEE of course (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) )

[Roseau]

I could fly down from Scotland - how do you take a viola on a plane? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) It wouldn't fit overhead and there's no way I would put Hannah in the hold!???? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Are you sure you couldn't take it on board with you? The measurements for musical instruments are more generous than for ordinary hand-luggage. My daughter's trombone is within the requirements and a 1/2 size cello is as well. I can't imagine that your viola is bigger than either of those. (I am always slightly amused that one of the instruments they give you as fitting within the requirements is a piccolo (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) So do read the measurements and get out a tape measure).

[purple viola]

Hi - I haven't been on here for a bit, but I am still playing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) At the moment I am working on the first 3 movements of the Telemann concerto. I'm supposed to be sorting out some sort of cadenza but I'm rather stuck - my copy doesn't have one written in and I'm not sure where to start, so any suggestions would be good.

When I did this for my diploma I wrote my own cadenza. I was advised to write a short simple one based on an ornamented scale . This is because the concerto was written before very long elaborate cadenzas became popular. I was performing the concerto in baroque style ( minimal vibrato etc), so this was the most appropriate type of cadenza for my performance.