hi everybody!

I've been learning the viola for about 6 months and its REALLY hard work! I'm finding it quite heavy too and I was wondering, does anybody have experience as a player of both violin and viola? I was thinking of maybe switching to violin because I thought it would be lighter, the L.H. fingering would be easier (less stretchy) and also there would be more repertoire (if I can EVER play in tune!) Also - I really want to get into an orchestra and or quartet eventually. Part of my logic behind choosing the viola was that there would be less competition - I figure there are far more violinists.

Does anybody have any advice???

THANK YOU!

It's always going to be a case of "your mileage may vary", because different people suit different instruments better, but here's my 2p's worth

Yes, there's more repertoire, original certainly, and transcriptions, for violin than viola, especially at the beginning levels!

L.H fingering will be less stretchy, but possibly a need to be even more accurate even if it's only infintessimal.

What size viola are you playing? I play a 15" and can't manage anything bigger. Depending on your size etc it can make a big difference. 15" IS on the small side for a viola but it's acceptable, 16" is about normal, 17" ones can have big enormous fabulous sounds but I for one would struggle badly! A really good 15" will be better (IMO) than a cruddy 16"+ anyway! A violin probably will be lighter but a better viola can be much less elephantine!

Violin tends to be more popular, you're right (except on this forum where we have a dearth of violinists and 100s of violists!), BUT, I would always suggest learning something that inspires you rather than learning something because it is either "easier" (hah!) or "less popular so I'll be in demand". That's just my take on it, it's better to learn something you passionately want to be able to play!

Viola played well can be really fabulous though

Also, if you've only been playing 6 months, don't be too hard on yourself! Intonation, tone production, just holding the stupid thing in vaguely the right place - all these things are a pig on violin and viola before you've even taken into account reading the music and playing it right. It is hard work, but string instruments are (indeed, any instrument is, but strings do require a lot of patience till you can see your hard work paying off!), but they are worth it

I actually started on the viola, but after already playing piano for a couple of years I found adjusting to alto clef was a nightmare! I think it is really upto the player at the end of the day, but I would say to you don't abandon the viola yet! Personally, I love playing violin- but do regret giving up the viola. It has a warmth that the violin will never have! I don't know about others, but I found the fingering easier on the viola, perhaps that's my piano fingers! Oh and if you're anywhere near me, I could really use a viola player or 12 :-D www.bdyo.co.uk . Ciao for now, steve.

Sarah's advice is excellent. It is very early days, there are problems with violin too (eg that horrible squeaky E-string, you don't want one of those surely!). This forum apart, you have more chance of ensemble playing with a viola in my experience. Our orchestra after tonight is down to ONE!! and we have about 20+ violinists.

Everywhere I go has oodles of violas and a lack of violins - I must be frequenting the wroong places...

W

You should have relocated to Chesterfield

Violas are heavier than violins but with well made violas the difference is not that great. Unfortunately quite a few inexpensive violas are very heavy. It is something that should be considered when choosing which viola to play.
Although the fingering is more stretchy on viola, you can often avoid very large stretches by changing position (sometimes just by half a postion) and generally using different fingerings than you would use on a violin. Also check that your viola is not too large for you.
The viola repertoire is actually very large (although not as large as that of the violin), certainly more than enough to keep me busy for my lifetime. But a lot of it is hardly ever heard, and a significant amount of it is out of print. Since I have started exploring the viola repertoire I have found that I really enjoy 'discovering' pieces that I have never heard played.


Willobie, you must be living in the wrong area for viola players.

An orchestra that I went to last night was down to two violas, but there were three separate viola parts in places........

My experience as a viola player is that once you get known in an area you get asked to play in loads of concerts, so you can choose which ones you want to play in.

I play both violin and viola but right from the beginning I have always prefered viola. I think you should play the instrument that you like best, but if you are unsure at the moment, why not learn both?

At our orchestra, we have 8 first violins, 13 second violins, 8 cellos and 3 violas (note not 3 violists - 2 violists and me. )

I play the violin professionally, but also play the viola, although I don't do much ensemble stuff because my sight-reading of the alto clef is absolute pants. Beethoven....fine, Mahler....I'll get my coat.

My advice would be to stick with the viola and take up the violin as well. It's enormously rewarding to play both instruments, although I have to say that if I am going to play both within a short time span, it's better to start with the violin and then go on to the viola - the other way round makes the violin feel ever so tiny.

Importantly, do make sure the viola you are playing is the right size for you and that the chin and shoulder rests are comfortable. A viola that is TOO big for your own physique will give you back problems, not to mention shoulder strain and possbily in the long term, tendonitis in the forearm. Paul Silverthorne, viola section principal in the LSO, plays an enormous viola, with a back length of something like 18 inches. He's already suffering with his back and shoulders!

Generally speaking the angle at which you hold the viola is slightly different to that of the violin. It's impossible to hold it out over the left shoulder and with the scroll up. With the increased size and weight, and the larger stretch for the left hand, the instrument should be allowed to naturally drop slightly more towards the front and the scroll lower than horizontal.

I am a violinist, so I would recommend the violin as an instrument.
As for ensemble playing, viola would be better because there is a lack of violists across the country. In my chamber orhcestra there are 14 members; 10 violins, 2 violas and 2 cellos

For ensemble playing, violas might have less competition. That's definitely a fact. But I guess there's pros and cons. I've played in both sections and the viola parts are quite boring oftentimes compared to the first violins. So the violas do have the melody once in a while and interesting/beautiful parts, but to face the facts, the first violins have the melody a lot. Also, while violas might have less competition, a typical orchestra does have less violas than violins.

I think if you feel the stretching is difficult you should consider the size of your viola. How heavy your instrument is could depend on the wood, although I guess generally violas are heavier and larger. For being in tune/intonation, that's life for string players hehe.

Since you have only been playing for a while, I recommend you stick with it for a bit longer and then maybe see if you would really prefer the violin. Have you ever tried out a violin?

But playing in an orchestra in the violas (or the seconds unless they put them on the far side* where the cellos usually are) rather than the firsts you get surrounded by the sound. Best place to sit!

*Nothing to do with Glen Larson but it does feel a bit like it in our orchestra sometimes

I agree - Give yourself a little longer maybe. I've played violin for 7 years and am still struggling with Grade 4 pieces, as opposed to doing grade 5 after 18 months on flute. String instruments generally do take longer to learn, but with determination you'll get there eventually.