Hello everyone,

I?m an adult beginner. I?m on maternity leave next year and I?d like something (else!) to occupy my time as I found my brain cells melted slightly last time when I had my son. A few years ago I gave the flute a try and found I was actually not too bad, and I got really interested in theory (geek) but if I?m going to invest time and money into this I want it to be the ?right? instrument.

Anyway, I?m not much of a musician (yet!) but really I?d like to try something that would offer good playing opportunities for someone amateur. I know if I continued with the flute I?d have to get really, really good before being able to join any sort of ensemble and I?m not sure how likely that is to happen given my time restrictions! I thought of trying a string instrument and the viola particularly appeals as a long term project ? the sound is beautiful, and I hear that it?s not such a popular instrument ? I really like the idea of learning something a little more unusual.

Blimey ? I do ramble don?t I??? All I really want to know is whether this is a good idea ? first of all I may be able to afford the odd lesson but I?d be largely on my own (I know this isn?t ideal but I?d be quite prepared to put in the time avoiding bad habits). I?m also really small ? I?m under 5 foot and have very small hands so I?m not sure I?d be able to get a small enough viola? I?d also like to know about tuning ? I?m not much cop at tuning string instruments (I find I can hear when a string is out of tune but not so good at getting it into tune). Is this a skill that can be learnt? Or is it something I?ll probably never be good at?!

Opinions would be welcomed.

Go for it! I'm a violist and also under 5 feet - I have a wonderful 15.5 inch viola which suits me just fine (I'm at a moderately advanced level), and I certainly don't have any problem getting a big sound! I could probably learn to play an even bigger instrument if I wanted to - it's really a matter of getting used to it - but I really like my viola so I don't feel the need. At the beginning, it's not that important to get the most incredible sounding instrument anyway.

If ensemble opportunities are something that you're interested in, viola is THE instrument - very few amateur orchestras have enough violas and conductors will literally beg for you! Violas are also important to many types of chamber music, and again, there are disproportionately more violinists and cellists than violists. Also, viola parts tend to be easier than the other string parts (especially in easier pieces), so you'll be able to get involved in ensemble playing even faster.

Regarding tuning, it is certainly a skill that comes with time. I don't naturally have perfect pitch or even good relative pitch (grade 8 aural was a nightmare for me), but over time with the help of teachers and/or tuners initially, you gradually gain a sense of what a perfect fifth should sound like.

I definitely think you should spend some time with a teacher though, especially at the beginning - string instruments are quite difficult to get the hang of at first!

Do it Classical music is apparently good for babies to hear

You may struggle to stay in a decent posture if you have a massive bump lol but thats the beauty of being able to sit down with it

I'd say definitely get a teacher at least for a few weeks. To show you proper posture, bow hold etc etc I really do think it is essential.

Don't worry about tuning. You can download audio tuners where you pluck the string and it tells you how high or low you need to tune. It worked pretty well for me when I first started. I could largely get it in tune but it was good for when you were struggling being slightly out.

Violists are sometimes joked at by other string players. Without good reason to be honest. Their parts in some orchestras are sometimes a little less exciting than other parts but they are by no means dull. Being a violinist I personally think you should go for violin lol but I do like the viola too.

You don't need to spend loads of money on your first. Just buy a standard beginners outfit and kit it up with some really good strings to improve the sound. And spend the money you saved by not buying an expensive instrument on a teacher

Ignore the jokes from violinists.

Q Are violins really so much smaller than violas?
A No. it's the violinists heads that make them look so small.

The viola is gorgeous - the BEST of the strings.

As previously mentioned, you will be in demand and may need to board up your front door until you gain some confidence to get out there with it. Last year I joined a local orchestra as an oboist and the first greeting from the conductor was "Oh I hear you play viola". I had said nothing, someone else had blabbed.

Don't worry about tuning, it's something you get used to, though a tuning machine is a good investment (in my viola days it was a tuning fork). You will need to get used to the alto clef but that's not a huge issue.

Lol I like that joke! I might use it with my teacher, even though we're both violinists lol

Whats the difference between a viola and a trampoline? The viola smashes to pieces when you jump up and down on it...

Yep and it burns longer than a violin.

So if me and you are ever trapped in a cold climate with only our instruments, we burn yours first as it will last longer? I'm cool with that

Back to original poster...I hope you have gone out and bought a new viola and booked a teacher in the last hour

Probably better to start with yours - smaller is better for tinder (a comparison I have since come across re. oboes and bassoons).

Back again...

Ok, so this is defnitely a goer!

I'm absolutely broke at the moment so I'm not sure how soon this will happen (sigh). Perhaps I need to give up the mobile phone

Recommendations for good places to buy or rent cheapy violas? Gotta be cheapy sadly.

If you're gonna spend under ?100 I'd just look online at online music shops. Buy a cheap one, then kit it with really good strings. It will be suitable enough to get you going. In the future when you are more advanced with a superior instrument, go back and play this one again and you'll notice the difference lol but to start with if thats your budget thats fine.

Most music shops do a 0% finance scheme the government has put in place. Thats how I got my violin. Paid it off with no interest over 10 months. Much more affordable that way!

Hi and welcome
I'm an adult learner of the violin - I've been learning for 18 months or so. Its great to have another learner and what a lovely thing to do during your maternity

The viola is a lovely instrument; such a gorgeous sound. If you cannot take many lessons, you could try to find some online websites offering instruction. For instance, for violin there is the website of Todd Ehle who has about 30 videos helping us to learn proper technique. As I say, its for violin, but there must be some overlap with the viola? If you google Todd Ehle, you'll find him.

Good luck; I hope you enjoy it!

Hi,
Oh definately do it!
I started viola in January, it is great playing a not so common instrument! (mind you I play classical guitar too so that's two not so common-y instruments!)

With the size, it shouldn't be a problem as viola doesn't have a standard 'full size' its measured in inches and I started on (and still am on) a 14" which is the same size as a full size violin, so a viola doesn't have to be really big, just apparently you get better sound out of a bgger one but it's not a life or death issue!

yes, orchestras always need violists! My school 'chamber' orchestra took me with grade 3 viola and sat me next to all the FAR more experienced violinists because.. they always need violas! (even though I constantly find myself spending a bit too much time playing out of tune.. oops! nobody hears viola anyway )

I'm really rubbish at tuning, every lesson my viola teacher asks why he's still tuning my viola! Thankfully I have orchestra on the same day so I'm still in tune for it! XD

finally a high five for Brighton!

I love violas too An absolutely wonderful sound!

I play other instruments so I do have an advantage but I really really recommend you find a teacher even just for a few weeks.

I'm over five feet and play a 15.5inch viola but I do admit the finger stretches are tough and I need to play regularly to keep my fingers flexible enough. But it does get easier the more you play.

I use a digital tuning machine and tune each time I play.

You can buy decent beginner instruments from Yitamusic on ebay (the T20 model is excellent) or try http://www.elidatrading.co.uk/ (there's a 'deal' on a viola there just now)


Good luck - violas are truly glorious and when you pick it up it gets a little better each time so it's one of the most rewarding experiences!!! Have fun!

Oh, our orchestra is also low on violas so want me to join but I just don't feel ready yet - maybe after christmas It's a great social event being in an orchestra!

I would like to try my hand at viola too actually. Do you reckon I could? I don't want a teacher - I spend enough on piano and violin lessons. But do you think I could just teach myself from what I know of violin?

We could start together BrightonBelle

I don't see why not, go for it. The basics are the same, just need to know alto clef. Just remember the stretches are different, and you should be fine. Listen carefully to your intonation.

I'm going to be having a try at the double bass tonight - now that is VERY different but willing to give it a go...

Viola and double bass are both in demand, but I get the impression that orchestras have slightly higher technical standards for their viola players.

The great advantage of the viola is its vastly superior chamber repertoire. You have all those marvellois quartets by Haydn and Mozart, and when you have a command of your instrument, Beethoven, Debussy, Ravel, Janacek, Bartok, Shostakovich; also string trios and quintets and quartets and quintets with one wind instrument (e.g. the Mozart and Brahms quintets with clarinet).

It's also easier to carry.

Just a word of caution - as more people have this same idea, we have orchestras with a glut of violas and a serious shortage of violins. Remember that an orchestra needs a lot more violins than violas...

W

I have NEVER come across an orchestra with too high a viola to violin ratio. Ever. Every conductor I have met has gone out of their way to be nice to me and get me into their orchestra But I suppose there might be reasons why our perceptions are different: 1) I live in the US - maybe we have fewer violists for some reason? and 2) My experience is mainly with orchestras composed of some combination of advanced students/amateurs and professionals - maybe the orchestras you speak of are at a different level?

My experience too. I think Nottinghamshire must be a viola magnet. Send some of them over here.

Regardless of the demand I'd say beware of choosing an instrument only because you think there will be more opportunities to play.
With any instrument it is going to take time to be able to play in an ensemble, especially if it's a first instrument or one taken on when you are still only in the early stages of learning another. You may find that you really grow to love the instrument but that might not happen if it wasn't chosen just because you really wanted to play it.

I agree but the OP didn't raise the issue of demand in choosing to have a go at the viola. That popped up further into the thread.

Lots of playing, for beginner flautists if you don't mind not playing in an amateur orchestra. Try a local windband. (Some amateur orchestras sound dire, if the string sections are not very experienced and they are trying to play the classical music repertoire. I suppose it depends what kind of music you would enjoy playing.