why play viola instead of violin

I guess in the case of the Elgar someone didn't want to miss out on a good tune. In fact, due to the slower vibrations of the string than on the violin (watch the strings as you play) there is a quite different feel to the viola, and a slower response time in generating sound naturally requires a different approach - to illustrate, play the same piece on a violin and viola. Since violists has the ability to play violin and cello music, it gives them the advantage of being able to read various clefs and even excel in the music theory classes. This is definitely audible. Learn how your comment data is processed. It takes much skill and effort to produce clear and rich tones on the thicker strings, not to mention the reach and flexibility required of the left hand/arm. Found insideFor that reason, I teach Baroque viola students exactly the same repertoire as the violinists and I encourage all violinists to play the viola. Violists may well find it more convenient initially to work through the lessons on a violin ... 5. To this day I do still enjoy the violin, and sharing my love of both instruments with all my students! In this case, I am talking about just violists who only play the viola. I know there are probably a lot of violists out there, but since this sight is primarily aimed at violinists, I ask you this question. It is also the place where I was introduced to the viola for the first time! To be honest, I was kind of shocked. When I was driving up to Tennessee over the holidays, a car pulled up besides me in Louisiana and started honking. The wonderful thing about playing violin and viola is that almost all of the skills needed to play violin transfer to the viola. However, violins are more difficult to play than violas. It means the viola sounds great and is fun to play. ". If you know the person telling them thinks all/most violists are bad musicians who couldn't cut it on violin, you'd rather not hear the jokes from *them*. When it comes to pitch, the viola will sound a little lower as the top string of a viola is 'A' compared to the violin which has 'E' as the top string. Check out my FREE beginner course including 10 video lessons and my beginner book: https://violinlounge.com/learn-to-play-the-v. My brother played the violin and got into orchestras. This is too small a difference to sound out of tune if you just play two strings, but if you tune all four strings a perfect fifth apart it adds up. Furthermore he was taught by a cool boy in the fifth-form who I found just the tiniest bit attractive. The article titled "why is the violin so hard to play" is really wonderful and many thanks for the same. Anyone else have an opinion on that? Being able to perform a wide variety of instruments’ music also means violists are adept at playing many different genres of music. Regards. And what are the advantages of the electric violin? How could you take that seriously? I really believe that we should study the violin and play viola in chamber music up to a certain age, even if we want eventually to play the viola. I figured there were jokes about all the instruments -- duck jokes for oboes, barbecue jokes for timpanists, whatever. The result is a difference in the sound projection and range of the instrument, making a . The violin tries to match, but the viola always can say . Viola jokes are jokes that are directed towards violas and viola players, thought to have originated in the 18th century. I guess I'm sort of a feral violist, not having come from orchestra culture. Found insideFrom Violin than it sounds on the instrument . Playing and Violin Adjustment , Musician . I am a viola player as well as a clarinetist and I will say right now that I think this system would In a home in Belmont , a suburb of Boston ... Elise, learning viola should, if anything, enhance your violin playing. I used to sing in a large choir. I believe Tertis would have realized this wouldn't work on the viola so he detuned his C-string to B (apparently in the performance he may have done this very quickly without anyone noticing) and then started a very dramatic 3-1/2 octave scale on the open B-string, climbing to the second E on the A-string. Even though I was inspired by fiddle music, when I came home I started taking classical private lessons. You always seem to be someone who wants to know the whys and hows of what makes things tick, and playing viola, especially in orchestra or chamber music, gives insight into the guts of the music. Found insideISBN 1-58951-176 - X by Joanne Martin 9 " 781589 " 511767 Trio Tapestry Trio Tapestry Cello Violafest Violin ... pieces by Joanne Martin with flexible scoring that can be played by any combination of violin , viola , and cello . Someone more knowledgeable can back me up on that one (or not, if it's not true). :-)  It might be fun to try it, but it's not a targeted desire for me and I think I can live without it. Found inside – Page 275The viola is pretty much just a violin on steroids, so it plays in a lower key So what? ... Thus, if you are okay with getting assigned to play the viola in the college's concert band instead of being a violinist, it becomes a plus for ... Found inside – Page 501Same , except bassoon is added , Platt playing it ; Macleod only plays tenor ; Spindler , clarionet . 1824-5 . James Dewar , leader ; Muller , first violin ; Stewart and Miller , second violins ; Cameron , viola ; Simpson , violoncello ... Playing the viola is quite difficult. Another way to differentiate violins into types is to look at the varying sizes. The players who control the harmonies are the ones who are doing the steering; the melody is just the skin of a piece. Why I love playing the viola - by Clio Tilton. Since your viola is a major investment, we want to ensure that it will last. Viola players get to play some great music, but it's true though, that prior to the twentieth century this did not generally include the solo repertoire. However, there are many reasons to love it's rich, dark sounds and unique voice in the string instrument family. ^I have to agree. Last spring I read a lot of v.com discussions about violinists who also play the viola and gave it serious thought. Firstly, my 16″ viola fits my arm length and finger size comfortably. How come the viola repertoire is not more appreciated? The words fiddle and violin are two names for the same stringed instrument—fiddle is just an informal way of referring to the violin. Then I concluded that my small hands would make it difficult and that the best way to progress at the violin was to use my precious practice time to practice the violin. "As far as loudness, my viola is louder than my violin, and the other violinists that I play with. (And honestly, not really being a violist, yet. Found inside – Page 276Sound level of a played viola. When notes are played on two different strings, the solid curve represents the lower string and the dashed curve the higher string (Barnes et al., 1983). The viola is tuned a fifth lower than the violin ... 5 Reasons Why You Should Learn to Play the Violin. Amateur and professional violists have all encountered problems when getting the perfect fit - size . well, it seems to me there have always been a lot of viola jokes. Authoritarian people play all sorts of instruments and thrive on stereotypes. 1 on Youtube, one comment in particular jumped out at me. Violinists top the audio spectrum and grab the audience's attention. It's heavier, it requires a bigger, stronger hand (which can be developed), and it requires a lot more effort to make a beautiful sound. I love the sound of the viola as a solo instrument, perhaps more than the violin. Discover the best of Violinist.com in these collections of editor Laurie Niles' exclusive interviews. The viola is a wonderful instrument that is unfortunately somewhat under-appreciated. But from the last century onwards there's a vast and wonderful repertoire, so I think it's an instrument for those that like newer music. Even a large viola, on the other hand, is close to the size of a violin, making it easier to carry around and show off your rad viola skills. And if enough good mandolin players show up, then I pull out my fiddle. Even though I was inspired by fiddle music, when I came home I started taking classical private lessons. The vibration of the string is no longer regular, but switches to a chaotic pattern. who is telling it without malice to laugh with everyone and  who is telling it with a superiority complex to laugh at others... don't be too sensitive and move on. The New York City area is full of art and culture, and a fantastic location for taking music lessons. At my last visit to my luthiers in toronto I was waiting for the return of my bow I picked up a viola - a moderate Eastman version - and (I'm a bit embarassed to say) played one for the very first time. To me it all seems a bit ridiculous to go transcribing for the viola things written for other instruments. To read more of their stories, click here. After my undergrad, I moved to Toronto to do an Artist Diploma at the Glenn Gould School on viola. Found inside – Page 2Since the first violin generally has the melody, the pieces can also be played by solo violin. The music of Scotland is unique. ... An interest in Scottish fiddle music prompted her to begin arranging fiddle tunes for viola. Many violists seem to collect them. The viola requires more strength to play. I'm a little weird as far as feeling ensemble-y. The viola is a cousin of the violin, very similar in how it is played but a bit bigger, and with . I apologize, I wasn't being serious when I originally posted, and I hope I didn't offend anyone. Baroque, Classical, Romantic, 20th Century, rock and roll, Broadway, and much more! Is the average violinist generally a better musician than the average violist? Free of any prejudgment, I listened and decided that that was the optimal stringed instrument and the one that made the noise I'd like to have under my ear the most. And the neck had no frets. Guadagnini viola, Turin [Editor's Note: Chang also used to play the 1768 "ex-Vieuxtemps" G.B. There may not be a lot of stuff written explicitly for it, but every tenor or alto aria ever written is PERFECT for it. The instrument is just not as facile up there as the equivalent spot on the cello because of different playing positions. There is something about the rich, lower range of the viola that I find to be more expressive of certain emotions and musical ideas. Babies who cry louder get fed. The purpose of this book is to provide you with much of the basic information that you need in order to become good at practicing the violin. This is the book for you if: You want to learn how to improve rapidly as a violist. 02. I don't have more time to practice - but that raises a question: does also playing the viola complement, hinder or have no effect on learning the violin? This is not essential, however. Bass sounds an octave lower than the cello. In the classic string ensemble, there's glory to be had on the first violin, the cello, and some on the second violin, but the viola generally got "filler" parts - it rarely leads anything, it rarely stands out, it's just there to complete the 4-part harmony. Try the equivalent 2-1/2 octave B minor scale on the E-string of the violin, it makes you wonder how possible it would be on the viola – Tertis played a large viola – so he may have "cheated" by playing that scale at the same sounding pitch as the cello, instead of an octave higher. No contest. Dr. Daniel Kobialka He is a perfect example of the how the second violin position prepares a musician to develop skills and virtuosity to lead, follow, and create. And my circle of friends consists only of violinists and cellists - if we're ever going to do string quartets then someone is going to have to take up viola. Sure, there are more violin concerti than viola, but that' not the daily reality for most of us, is it? Found inside – Page 626I will play the Allemande from Bach Suite # 5 , a cello suite in C minor . ( Ngwenyama played viola ) ... It is entitled “ As Fast As You Can Play It . ” It is a wild movement . ... Why did you become a violist instead of a violinist ? I think I may have a reasonable solution to Tertis's scordatura in the 1st movement of his viola version of the Elgar, and it has nothing to do with instrument resonance, but with the practicalities of playing the viola in alt. I perfer to keep the students on violin until they attain a size to play a 15 1/2 or larger. Guadagnini. The difference between the violin and the viola becomes clear in their different roles in an orchestra.The violin is more of a soprano and the viola more of a middle instrument. Found inside – Page 57Care should be taken that the left arm is in its proper position under the violin . ... Indeed , we have the best reasons for believing that daily playing on the viola can only result in injury to violin - technic . This post is part of a series that features Toronto's musicians' journey to becoming a professional musician. Some would seem to be naturally suited to it - Air on a G string might be a great example (though this is a violinist speaking :) ). The overall pitch of a viola will generally sound lower, and a bit more mellow than a violin. But the persistence of viola jokes is a bit like a foot rash that won't go away. Having a playing related injury, I was able to play violin without pain long before I could manage viola again. Such an individual was William Primrose. His name and the viola are synonymous.' Janos Starker This unique book is the result of a series of conversations with Primrose in the last years before his death in 1982. When I say "normal violist" I guess I am saying the violists who aren't violinists first. You know, the ones who play viola instead of violin because they can't get enough violin gigs. Also, this is a popular instrument so you will have more competition in skill level and number of players. He had an electronic pickup on his viola that ran through some sort of signal processor, and he proceeded to do quite a nice take on David Gilmour's guitar solo. Baroque Type Violin. It is always better to play with others instead of alone. The solos you hear most in a symphony are the ones we joke about most:  a single note. I also think fractional sized violas sound terrible in general. In comparison, the violin nearly plays itself with little effort. (Boy, was I surprised when moving up in positions on the cello!). Violists get to play violin music, cello music, and our own music. I have loved getting to know the city and its wonderful musicians! Found inside – Page 57“ Would , in your opinion , a course of viola pracThis entire study is to tice be beneficial or otherwise to students of the violin , THE RODE STUDIES . be played at the upper from the standpoint of violin - technic ? The viola is the second highest instrument in the violin family, coming in pitch between the violin and cello, and the viola is the middle section in an orchestra. I had never been much interested in playing solo on the violin but for some reason I was more willing to just get out there and play a viola by myself. Anyone else have an opinion on that? The harmonies are like getting beneath the skin into the muscles, tendons, and bones, the whole structure. Especially if you then tune the C string of the viola to a perfect fifth below the G string! However, I believe that in the higher youth levels to professional, the violists are all good. The bridge should fit flush against the body of the violin without any gaps. Learn to laugh at this person, because s/he clearly has some mental imbalances, if, upon hearing Rabin playing Wieniawski, his/her first thought is "wow, the viola is a horrible instrument.". haha,,,some people are really calculating! My current most successfull model is a 15  1/2 viola, with a 375 string length, that is quite confortable. Also, my pinky is abnormally short, so I can really only adapt to the parameters of the violin. As a pianist, I've never played in an ensemble of musicians before in my life, which never struck me as oddball until I started hanging around here. it is really not a put-down on a particular choice of instrument or specialization. Wil Baptiste, who cofounded and plays viola in the Grammy-nominated duo Black Violin, wanted to play the saxophone when he was in junior . After hearing a night of incredible fiddle music, I was hooked. As far as which instrument is eaiser, I think the violin is much more managable, if you compare an exact passage. The most avid collectors of Aggie jokes are Aggies themselves. If what you say is true, why then would anyone only practise the viola? One such outlet was composition, and I was able to double major in music performance and composition at the end of my undergrad. I am very thankful that I was able to be a part of this program, because it helped me grow into a well rounded musician. Found insideEvery shade of all the emotions may be revealed by a violinist, viola player, or 'cellist, with the gift of expression. In these days (or have we already outgrown them?) of the idolatry of technique, this supreme distinction of the ... I don't, yet. I don't play the viola, but I'm most grateful for the excellent musicians I know who are violists. Image courtesy of adamr at FreeDigitalPhotos.net, Your email address will not be published. The viola also has a larger body and slightly thicker strings, which means the instrument is set up in such a way that it naturally produces lower tones than the violin. Apparently there has been lots of experimentation (some of it really bizarre-sounding) with the size and shape of the viola. The second time the violin tries a solo trick, the viola follows with a long extension. Found inside – Page 5Nevertheless, most musical historians now believe the viola and violin developed at exactly the same time and were designed ... from 1220* Cork that shows that soon after its introduction, children were being raised to play the fiddle. However, apartments are small, and finding practice space can be tricky. If you find the traditions of the classical world to be a bit confusing sometimes, then this is the place for you. These are some of the most virtuosic and often . Unlike the violin, the viola does not come in a standard size. It makes me think of the color purple and of the flower. The bass is also similar to the violin, except the string structure is aranged as CGDA instead of GDAE. I have tried to play the violin, Guitar and the piano and find the limitations and difficulty are based on the capacity and passion of each individual. When I was a viola player I used to tell viola jokes just to show cellists and fiddlers that we didn't care and liked a laugh too. Musicians simply followed the calling when choosing between violin and viola. Because of this, you will learn how to read many different clefs, giving you the upper hand in future music theory classes. After hearing a night of incredible fiddle music, I was hooked. The sound of a viola is therefore lower than that of a violin. In addition to the advancements you can make academically, playing the viola offers lifelong advantages for those who choose this . Required fields are marked *. I love being a musician because there is so much amazing music out there to play and enjoy, and the community of musicians is a wonderful group of people to work with. The viola is a wonderful instrument that is unfortunately somewhat under-appreciated. Why go to the electric violin? Violists get to play violin music, cello music, and our own music. So, you tell your your younger self to play the viola. What do you think of the viola in general; what do you think of the normal violist? This also makes the viola a great instrument for people who are shy and like to blend in. It sounds like a warm hug, unlike the shrill nagging of an ex-wife that a violin sounds . Pre-Baroque Stringed Instrument. I had always loved the violin, but I didn’t start taking private lessons until I was ten years old. The violin's small size, portability, and mimicry of the human voice have made it popular across cultures and throughout time. This book shows you how to teach yourself the basics so you can start playing quickly. This is why the Viola is used as more of a harmonic type of instrument in most symphonic literature, rather than a solo type, like the violin. Even among violas of the same size, there might be differences in their sound due to their different details like strings, wood materials and so on. When it comes to buying a viola, it is never a one-size-fits-all matter. Why I Play Viola. Comparing our hands, my fingers did not even come to the last joint of his fingers. Now, we seem to be flushing out the solo vs. ensemble crowd. Why on earth would you want to play viola? There is definitely a feeling of satisfaction in the idea, though -- like clicking that last piece of a jigsaw puzzle into place. Once the viola is tuned, maintain good posture to play the instrument with your bow. Solo viola parts and the corresponding orchestration have to be carefully written to take this into account. But if you want solo virtuosity, you'll have to hunt pretty hard to find pieces the public will recognize. Want to play the cello but don’t feel like lugging it around? They are good at supporting and helping other instruments, proving us to be true team players! The difference between a viola and violin is a recurring question, especially when presenting the five-string electric violins. The viola looks a lot like the violin. Mozart, Beethoven, many other composers I read when asked to accompany a quartet choose to play the viola! All the big names in composition favored the violin when composing their best stuff. Found inside – Page 1248 successful older brother Joseph , a talented violinist , she too took up the violin . ... Award for Distinguished Artistry from the New York Viola Society , she was asked how she came to play the viola instead of the violin . What instrument are you in the string family? I favorited a viola jokes site. Violins sound like people on helium -- a bit like castrati (which they were contemporaneous with). Also, this is a popular instrument so you will have more competition in skill level and number of players. Although it seems like violas get some boring parts -- enough to say "it's all oompah from where I sit.". Found inside – Page 12DEAR SIR , - In the number of VIOLIN TIMES just received , you have a notice about Mr. Dunn's having played the 1st Paganini Concerto , in which you say that Paganini tuned bis violin in B flat ( instead of in A ) , by which means ... I am not sure there isn't any concrete reason for the traditional imbalance in solo repertoire. Th. I once picked up a viola and was amazed by the sound of that C string. Music To Your Home works with some of the most talented musicians in New York City and now we are able to share our incredible teachers with clients all over the world through our live online lessons. The viola still strikes me as a solo voice because it's so similar to the human voice. Some of these pieces may even include electric viola. IMO, they are very different technically, at least for me. In my honest opinion the viola is far too muddy on the C string, and I prefer the drama of the violin's G. Also, once again due to my abnormally small hands, I much prefer to play in middle/high positions, and so violin is the obvious choice for me.

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