Hey!
For a while now Ive wanted to take up a string instrument. I played the guitar for ages, but with a devilish teacher, finally decided to quit, & concentrate more on woodwind!
I've looked @ cellos, & have tried my friends, but can't get the hang of it, so quit that idea. My girlfriend plays the double bass, but its far too big & deep for my liking!
I've always loved the harp, but reckon its too hard to buy one, & harp to learn!
I then tried my friends violin. Its a really good quality one, & LOVED it!

So, I took the violin home, & got a begginners book - I was beggining to learn some grade 1 pieces. I then gave the violin back to Rachel, but thought I should buy one, but got an oboe instead - I'm self-teachong - lovin it!!!!! I love that, but still want a violin/viola.
Apart from the pitch & the clef, what is the difference between violin & viola. Are violas in more need than violins, & which is easier to learn. I have the bow hold right ( a violinist told me! ), can get help from my violin playing friends, as i WOULD have to self teach for now. So, the big Q??? is, violin or viola?? I can't decide, could you help by telling me the proper differences. At the moment, I'm swaying towards violin, but could change!!
I was saving up for a wooden clarinet, but that can wait!! When I decide what to get, I'll have to decide where to get it from!!!
Thanks!
jonathan

Ps - how good is benjamin grovsner (SPELLING?) on piano, just out of interest!!

Violins are pitched in G below middle C, D above that, concert A and the E above that, Violas are larger and are pitched a 5th lower, i.e. C below middle C, G above that, D above middle C and concert A, Violas have a much more mellow tone and are less easy to make horrid squeaky sounds

also, Violas are larger, its best to start on violin get upto about Grade 5/6 standard then use violin techniques on viola, thats if you want to double onto viola, just viola...learn viola first

Really? I tried a viola. Haven't exactly small hands but found the extra reach & fingerboard thickness make it easier to let fingers on the C&G strings touch the next string up by mistake when crossing strings which does make an awful noise. Sometimes like a wayfaring harmonic! At slow speeds it's easier to avoid.

You can get small sized violins, it's perfectly possible to start on the viola and some of the technique is slightly different when playing viola.

They each have their own easier and more difficult points!

Hi

You asked whether u should start violin or viola?
GO FOR VIOLIN!!!!
1. It's more popular expecially if your thinking of a teaching carer
2. Not many people play the viola, compared to the violinists
3. You play the piano
4. You'll get more out of it cause in esembles, some orcastras only have violin players!(thats SOME by the way)
Basicly, the only differences between a violin and a viola is that the Viola is bigger and deeper in sound whereas the violin is more...I dunno..? Elegent and eh, lets just say higher in sound.
One more thing, u know when u hear all those like sort of really classical songs written by great composers, most of them are actually played by violinists.

Hope this helps!
GO VIOLINS! GO VIOLINS!

Susan

I think you'll find that the majority of orchestras who go without violas do so because there aren't enough decent viola players to fill the places...

Which is why a good viola player will definitely be in demand.

I think you'll find that the majority of orchestras who go without violas do so because there aren't enough decent viola players to fill the places...

True, but there isn't really any point on having a viola section if there's only like 2 violas, is there.

telling people not to take it up is not going to improve the situation is it?

Violas will always be in demand especially in amateur orchestras as so many people don't take it on until they are very good violinists... Yes, some orchestras DO have a viola section when there are few violas... I've BEEN the viola section in an orchestra! Most music doesn't come with a 3rd violin part, and 3rd violins are a poor substitute for violas, so any orchestra with the slightest bit of sense is going to be overjoyed at the prospect of not having to rewrite parts and having a real viola section to fill out the harmony.

I wasn't telling them not to start playing it, i was just recomending, it is after all, my opinion, everyone has a different opinion, and i do sort of want a viola section because personally, i think the 3rd violin isn't extremly useful, nevertheless, i still prefare Violin even though the viola does make quite a nice sound when you're playing in the top 2 strings, not so sure about the c string though.

By the way, i didn't say ALL orcs don't have violas, just SOME

Go for viola.

OK, personal preference coming out there, If I could hold an instrument up like that, I would go for viola over violin any day of the month! Here are some other reasons to not be afraid of it:

It's not a squeaky instrument like violin can be. I loved the description someone used - mellow. That extra depth adds a great deal to the atmosphere of the music. Not to the degree of cello, (biased here, I know!), but seems to have more soul to my 'prefers the lower octaves' type of ears!!

Doesn't matter if there's less music for viola. There's likely to be enough and, as proficiency grows, you'll be able to adapt that written for other instruments.

Say you went on to teach later: If there are loads of students wanting to learn violin, there will also be lots of teachers. There will be proportionally less students and teachers for viola, but there will still be enough of each to satisfy each other.

Yup, more orchestra places. As someone said, only some ensembles don't have viola. Most do, and certainly all the pro style ones will have. Look beyond school here.

Time someone brought the viola more to the fore. Go on! Be a trail blazer! I'll buy your first CD, promise! Make sure you buy mine!!!!

Have fun!

Elisabeth

Right - I think I'm gonna take the plunge & get a violin - sorry all you viola peopes!
I'll probably get one off ebay - what do you think - any tips?

thanks

Jonathan

just be careful of buying instruments off eBay, i bought a wooden Treble Recorder made by Schott off there, and the blasted thing clogs up with moisture easily for some bizarre reason

WHY VIOLIN?! THE WORLD NEEDS VIOLA PLAYERS!!!

Great choice!

Tips...um ye, always try before you buy!

ALL wooden recorders clog up very easily. Unless there has been a collapse of the wood into the windway, that is nothing to do with the fact that it came from ebay.

That said, ebay does need caution. And don't expect to be able to take the violin straight out of the case and play it unless the seller ships bridge up.

Liz

Ye, but just incase, to make sure, you know what I mean.

I agree, but still, we wouldn't want the viola to become too common would we? I mean, viola players are an elite, it's not just anyone who can be a violist. Viola players are special

i have bought a total of 5 violins from ebay some from private sellers some from ebay shops. What is your budget now you decided on violin?

Just read elidatrading post.... a violin setup will cost you at least £25-30 so watch out for the bridge. Saying that I bought one recent that had the bridge up and it wasnt setup properly it was way too high. But any of the cheap ones that have the bridge down probably have feet that dont stand flat to the violin.


Elidatrading is an excellent seller on ebay. There is lots of people on this forum that have purchase from her. Her speciality violins are the GLIGAs but she does sell student violins too.

www.elidatrading.co.uk

Look out for Gliga if you can afford one, and check out the really reputable sellers. Liz has far too much integrity to start doing a major advertising campaign but she would be a very good bet whether you decide to get a Gliga or another make... elidatrading I THINK is also her username on ebay. And no, she didn't pay me to say that (she didn't HAVE to - it's just the truth!)

No, it's elizabethward. And thanks for your comments

Liz

Hey!
Thanks for everything!
How much should I be looking to spend on a violin? ON ebay, theres loads of 'BUY IT NOW' violins for about £50, which may be good to get, then I ould upgrade later on, if I do well!
I had a look on the reccomended wesite, but they all look a bit expensive - sorry!
Any thoughts

thanks
Jonathan

Well you get what you pay for .....violins are not cheap. If you are unsure why don't you rent for a while to see how you get on with an option to buy. That way you may be able to afford something better.

AHHHHHHH - I can never decide anything!!
I know don't know whether or not to get a violin. I found it really easy, & it would make a change from woodwind
AHHHHH - i can't choose - what do you think I should do?

Jonathan

If I thought I could play violin or viola* to a good standard, I would, mainly for the marvellous chamber music repertoire.

* I did try viola, but found I was too stiff at the age of 22, so no hope now.

Have you listened to people playing solos on violin and viola? If so, did you like the very high passages on the violin best, or the richer sound of the lower strings? Viola would be more of a contrast to the oboe. Have you played in groups at all? If so you could consider whether you prefer playing "the tune" at the top of the ensemble or enjoy filling in the harmony in the middle. Of course orchestras normally have two violin sections, and the second violins also play harmony much of the time rather than independent melodies. You are much more likely to be able to get a violin quickly on eBay than a viola unless you go to one of the dealers.

I think someone else suggested hiring either a violin or a viola to try. Shops often have schemes where at least some of the rental money goes towards eventual purchase, and it's possible to change instruments during the rental period. Worth finding out what's available because that way you would get a properly set up instrument and not have the problem of trying to decide whether problems are caused by the instrument (or bow) or your own inexperience.

Hope this helps.

If your not sure, just hire one and when your sure you like it, then buy one

Susan

Hi all! this is my first time posting here, read with interest all that was said about violin/viola. I'm learning the viola now, just took my G7 exam, just praying that I pass! i'm 28 now.. (gosh thats old!) and have been learning for 3 years.. well, just wanted to say something about the viola, which i love.. my teacher teaches many students, majority violin students, only 2 of whom are learning the viola, and i'm one of them.. i chose to learn the viola instead of the violin because i love the sound, I heard the violin being played before and couldn't stand the high pitched sounds, especially when the violinist isn't very good at it.. though it seems that the violin is definitely more popular than the viola, but then, i'm one who likes to be different!

grade 7 after 3 years is really good, well done!

Welcome Violist! What pieces did you for gr7? I'm doing it this term and I'm doing the second movement of Bach's First Cello Suite, Brahms 3rd Hungarian Dance and the Bloch Meditation and Processional. I've also been playing nearly 3 years.




Join the club! It seems a typical trait of violists!

Welcome violist, hope you like these crazy forums!

HI hi!!
I did Bach's 1st cello suite, also Bloch's Processional, but for my 2nd one I did Tchaikovsky's Barcarolle, my teacher is crazy about that piece...

and yes these forums are really interesting!

Is the Barcarolle from Chester Music for Viola? I've got that book and was wondering what the piece was like?

Yes that's right, its quite beautiful, I've got the piano recording of it, tried to find the viola version but couldn't...

I know the Barcarolle is grade 7 but what are its particular difficulties? If it doesn't sound too hard I might give it a go sometime soon!

Actually my main problem with the piece is pitch.. my teacher kept saying that my pitching is a little off.. but otherwise there's nothing really difficult about this piece, because its quite a slow piece, unlike the Bach Cello suite which is relatively faster..

Thanks violist, might give it a go!

[QUOTE]I'll probably get one off ebay - what do you think - any tips?


You could probably get a decent one from ebay but my advice would be to visit a music shop and try a few out then get the one that feels nice to hold and sounds the nicest to your own ear, that way it is easier to tolerate the sound of it especially while your getting over the scrapey squeaky bit of learning

hi i have been playing the viola for about a year and the difference between the violin+viola is the violin is alot higer and smaller than the viola . but the viola is the perfect size the perfect sound so if i was you i would get the viola



VIOLA'S RULE

who dont know that?

Hi

As a violinist, I guess I should say "Go for violin!" but I won't. Perhaps you could try both for a bit and see which you prefer?

I'm starting to play viola now, having learned violin for more years than I care to remember. Is there anyone out there who has made the reverse kind of switch? i.e. a violist who has started learning violin? I wonder if this would be any harder?

If you are already adept at reading the treble clef I'd say maybe go for viola, get the alto clef under your belt!

The Bach Cello Suites sound great on Viola

I don't care for them that much on the viola, but each to their own.

I recommend viola (but I am biased...)