I'm considering "teaching myself" the grade 8 viola syllabus and entering myself for the exam. I figured that, as I've done a violin diploma and have been playing viola reasonably competently in a couple of ensembles this year I might have a chance of passing. I can already play two pieces from the lists.

I particularly like the idea of doing a Trinity exam (sorry again, AB!) largely because I'm fed up with the standard aural tests - I've done them all once and resent having to do them again. With Trinity's current syllabus you can choose to do an improvisatory task which I think might be more my "thing". Might be worth having a go at the exam to see how this works.

So, what do you think? Would it be silly of me to assume I'll be able to do it alone?

I can see where you are coming from with haveing to do the standard aural tests - been there done that kind of thing. So why not go for Trinity, or look at the other boards too, see what interests you? As for teaching yourself, if you are comfortable, why not go for it. It might be worth getting a teacher to listen when you are confident that you are ready for the exam and see if they can give you any handy tips.

Good luck with it all, I'm sure you will do fine ... I think it's going to be many years before I even start thinking about grade 8 viola!!

The one thought I did have was that as a viola's bigger and heavier than a violin, maybe one session with someone who can check that you haven't any lurking bad habits in terms of posture etc. which will magnify into discomfort or even injury on the bigger instrument.

Thanks. That's a good point. Will explore the possibilities...

No it is not silly to assume you could do it alone. If you just want to pass grade 8 on viola then I wouldn't think you would have much of a problem.

If you think you might want to carry on playing viola longer term though it might be useful for you to have a few lessons (with someone who really knows how to play viola) as there are differences in fingering and bowing technique. Some of the differences in technique are quite subtle, but they do make a big difference to the sound that comes out of the instrument.

You might also find that you have to hold the viola differently to the way you hold your violin. Bad posture with viola can cause significant long term problems, which may not be obvious at first.

Anyway, good luck with the viola.