Hi all

I've just got some new strings for my new viola, as I brok one of them when I had the viola for just 5 minutes However, now I'm trying to tune it, the notes seem too low, I don't know if I'm just being stupid but can anyone give any advice on tuning. I have been using my piano , and know that the open strings are different to the violin, I believe the viola ones are C, G, D, and A. Hope so anyway

Anyway the C string, should it be tuned to the next C down from middle C on a piano? then, the G string, to the g just below middle C, then D being the D above middle C on the piano etc. Am I right?

Joy

QUOTE (joyjoy @ Feb 12 2005, 07:00 PM)

Anyway the C string, should it be tuned to the next C down from middle C on a piano? then, the G string, to the g just below middle C, then D being the D above middle C on the piano etc. Am I right?

yes, you've sussed it joyjoy!

Yes, that sounds correct!!!

How many strings have you changed?
If you bought a new set make sure you replace it with the correct string, can be confusing. Roman numeral 1 is the A string, Roman numeral 11 is the D string and so on.

How is the tuning on your piano, just a thought!!!

Katie

QUOTE (Katie @ Feb 12 2005, 08:15 PM)

Yes, that sounds correct!!! How many strings have you changed? If you bought a new set make sure you replace it with the correct string, can be confusing. Roman numeral 1 is the A string, Roman numeral 11 is the D string and so on. How is the tuning on your piano, just a thought!!! Katie

Yeah it's a digital piano so it's in tune! I have changed the strings correctly, but I think that the strings may need to settle in first or ssomething if that makes sense.

Joy

They'll probably go out of tuning a lot at the moment, cause it takes a while for them to settle in.

QUOTE (isabelsmells @ Feb 13 2005, 05:43 PM)

They'll probably go out of tuning a lot at the moment, cause it takes a while for them to settle in.

Yeah that's what I'm hoping, that its just the new strings needing to settle in and not the way I've strung the viola!

Ive left the viola to rest for a while.. and will try playing it in a couple of days.. hope its better then

Joy,
Glad to see you finally got your strings!!

Gae

P.S. Now that you've almost got your Viola sorted, hope that doesn't mean that you 'll stop practicing your violin!

Make double sure you've put the right strings on the right pegs. If you put a lower string on a higher string's peg, you'd get that loose feeling you describe.

I've made that mistake once or twice if I took them out of the packet and then forgot which packet they came out of. On the violin 2 different strings can look very similar sometimes!

Violinia

QUOTE (Violinia @ Feb 13 2005, 11:55 PM)

Make double sure you've put the right strings on the right pegs. If you put a lower string on a higher string's peg, you'd get that loose feeling you describe.

I followed exactly as it said on the packet of each string, and replaced string with the old one in each packet. I'm so sure I did put them on right.. is the C string likely to fall out of tune a lot?

QUOTE (Gae @ Feb 13 2005, 11:34 PM)

P.S. Now that you've almost got your Viola sorted, hope that doesn't mean that you 'll stop practicing your violin!

Hi Gae

I havent neglected my violin don't worry, I've been playing my violin a lot this weekend, however uni work is starting to mount up again so I don't get as much time to practice as much as the last few weeks.

The viola is still in its case.. i havent looked at it since saturday.. i'm frightenend to touch the strings again!

Joy,
When you've done a few pieces I'd like to hear a recording of your Viola please.
I've got my 40th birthday next month and I'm thinking about what to get as a present. A viola could be a possibility. I was going to buy a new violin before but I'm pretty happy with the one I've got. I'd just be a bit concerned that I'd get confused between the different positions of the strings/notes on each instrument. Is it easy to seperate the two in your mind or does it get a bit confusing?
Also, what is the Viola repertoire like compared to the violin?

Gae

It can be a bit confusing at first, especially when you're playing something hard, it'll seem like your brain thinks your playing the violin for a couple of notes, then back to the viola, and vice versa. But after a while you can easily switch between the two.

The viola repertoire is very limited compared to the violin, and many things aren't written for the viola, but transposed for the viola, but it still sounds lovely. And exams are a pain as well, because unlike the violin you cannot buy the pieces in one book, you have to buy all the pieces individually, as they come in different books, but thats ok, I've ended up with a fairly large repertoire of viola books with some lovely pieces in.

QUOTE (Gae @ Feb 14 2005, 03:11 PM)

Is it easy to seperate the two in your mind or does it get a bit confusing? Also, what is the Viola repertoire like compared to the violin?

Hi Gae

I havent had chance to look at any pieces for viola yet, except I have team strings book, which I've hardly looked at yet, however I know it doesnt lay out the fingering of the notes. So I am a little puzzled myself.. think I need to get a new book. I havent really had a go as yet on the viola, but from what I have heard so far, it sounds lovely, mellow. Will try and get it out this weekend and have a go.

Hope you have a lovely birthday!

Joy

awwwww, ya making me envious! I've never had my own viola...

yaho!
i just learnt the viola for 2 days!!
althought i don't really get use to it,i played the violin also,so it'll be easier...

QUOTE

I followed exactly as it said on the packet of each string, and replaced string with the old one in each packet. I'm so sure I did put them on right.. is the C string likely to fall out of tune a lot?

Sorry, I don't know - not an expert on the viola.

Violinia

My C string stays in tune most of the time, but every now and then it goes COMPLETELY out of tune, but apart from hte occasional blip its absoloutly fine!