Just back from a week away with the quartet. I decided this would be the week I looked at alto clef with some real determination.

I had about 30 mins looking at it, and trying to sight read on my 5-string and then the next session I was playing viola for real . Tryzard1's viola is a bit bigger than my 5-string (which is a violin with an extra c string), and heavier, and gutsier of course.

Anyway it was OK, and although I now have shoulder ache (I think his shoulder rest set up was not ideal for me), I think it looks like I have in fact succumbed to the viola-bug.

You knew it was just a matter of time

Another one bites the dust!

W

Hey! I resemble that remark!!


Yup

I fear it may be infectious...

I will have to keep on practicing or my new found skills will be lost won't they

*goes to find viola sight reading book*

Definitely!

Good luck with the jolly old Alto Clef Jane, I am struggling to relearn it

Angie

Same here Angie, although I'm told that it will become easier (eventually!) .

Just how many people have taken up the viola recently? Is it a bad sign that I want to learn it...

Nope! All string players should know how to play the viola!

Because it's fantastic, not for any technical reason, of course...

I think it is something about this forum...

Your computer picks up a virus which is then transmitted to you in the form of the "I must play Viola" mantra

It must definitely be infectious!

I just ordered a viola on Saturday night. It should be here within the next few days . Having never played before i'm very, very, VERY excited as my violin teacher played viola and the only time I ever touched it was to test out how close his strings lay to the fingerboard compared to my violin. I don't go back to uni until the end of September so hopefully when i'm not working (seems to be all the time) i'll get to have some fun.

I'll have to hide it from my mum for a few weeks because I think another instrument appearing in the corner of the living room would make me homeless

BAD FLOOT! NO BISCUIT!

No, it's a GOOD sign

Keep it in your own room then, huh???

I can understand why Jane had a reaction from playing a viola as I played a violin on Saturday night for while and was amazed at just how light it was and easy to support hands free. Not so the viola...

So we can expect you to make the sensible decision of switching to violin any time now Elisabeth.

My viola arrived yesterday and I have to say I was like a 5 year old on Christmas morning taking it out of its box! A quick tune and off I went playing for a few hours. I was surprised how much more comfortable it feels compared to the violin for me (my left arm doesn't feel as craped when playing viola) and I found that I wouldn't need a shoulder rest. I think i've found my perfect string instrument and my only regret is not playing one years ago.

I don't play any string instruments!!

Ah well, at least I didn't ask my parents for a viola when they said 'we are going to buy you a present, what do you want?' Only because I couldn't have taught myself....

You mean they haven't yet started saying "We are going to buy you a present but NOT an instrument."

Not on your nelly, earplugs! Ugh! The idea!

I think I've kind of taken them by surprise in my acquiring of instruments! They've changed thier minds now though They're getting me a laptop. But I'm buying a cheap flute from ebay on the pretext of fixing it up and selling it on!

Bobifier got this a bit wrong, what he MEANT to say was "all musicians should know how to play the viola".

Forgive him, though, I'm certain it was just a typo.

Hope that helps

Bad floot!

*Watches flute on ebay that she has bid on*

Oh dear, it's catching on..........

Why not? I havn't given up the idea of a viola completly... Floot!