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Riki
(33 points)
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Hello lovely string players!
I'm in a severe dillema... which one to chose... violin? viola? cello?
First of all I play 5 woodwinds, 1 brass, and piano, and I'm definite that I want to play a string instrument next.
I'm still not sure of the price range, for the beginner instruments here in Canada, and I see that there are very cheap ones on the internet. I wouldn't mind one of those "Florea" "Bellafina" ones on WWBW, if they are playable...
This is what I think about the instruments...
Violin - Beautiful, perhaps a bit high as in range for me, although I wouldn't mind it at all, I just prefer low sounds. Not so expensive for a beginner one? Of course, transportation is great, easy to go to lessons.
Viola - Amazing, lovely sound... Ideal for me, but I'm not quite sure of the pitch? Is it like an english horn to an oboe and tuned a perfect fifth or something down than violin? I'm not sure if I would be able to find alot of music, correct me if I am wrong!
Cello - Brilliant. Just awed... the price and size hits me hard though. I have the large hands, if that is one thing you need to play, but it would be tough to carry to lessons, and I would be worried if I dont have a hardshell case, I might bash the neck and break it off...
Doublebass - Everyone loves doublebass. Just that there is no chance I will be able to play that. I'll just stay with fiddling the 3/4 size one at school.
My budget would probably be $1000~$1200, so cello isn't IMPOSSIBLE, but of course, viola and violins are more nice to my budget. The budget will consist of my saved up money of around $600, which I plan to have saved by the end of June, and some support from my dad.
I would LOVe any responses from you guys, since I I am seriously considering playing stringed instruments, but bear in mind, that I don't plan to become a professional or anything, just for personal enjoyment!
Thanks!
P.S., I posted this in the violin forum because there is no string forum and no one is on the cello forum and viola forum seems to have less activity than here!
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ultimate_jedi
(30 points)
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i think you should play the violin. the viola and cello sound beautiful, but i havent seen many solo viola pieces. nor many cello ones. those instruments (in ensemble music) usually dont play the melody, thats pretty much up to violins. you could get a nice 100-200 dollar violin for begginers that works rather nicely.
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ValV
(43 points)
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| i havent seen many solo viola pieces. nor many cello ones. |
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Well, I must disagree with this.
Pick the instrument whose sound that you enjoy the most, since you will be hearing it a lot. Don't worry about the availability of solo pieces....there's a ton for cello and viola, some are written specifically for the instrument and others are transcribed for it.
Another consideration: there are far fewer viola players than violin or cello players. So a good violist is in demand.
Take a look at www.violinslover.com. They sell Gliga instruments at many different price levels.
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Riki
(33 points)
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VaLV, thanks a lot... I'm seriously considering viola... I love the range!
If I was to chose viola, what size do you think I should chose? I do have fairly large shoulders, and a bit of a long neck... if that information helps at all...
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ValV
(43 points)
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The size of the viola is not standardized (like the violin) so there are many different opinions on what the best size is.
In general terms, I think a larger viola sounds better, but sound quality can vary from viola to viola. Try as many different ones as you can to hear the diffence. But I think that you will see that, on average, a bigger viola has a deeper and more resonant tone. Consider getting the largest one that you can comfortably play.
Violas 15.5" body length or smaller are considered small. Average is 16" - 16.5" and above 16.5" is large.
Arm length is the usually the limiting factor in finding the right size viola.
I found a source on the web that describes a measurement to use as a guide to find the right size viola: measure length between your neck and the top of your left-hand palm when your left arm is fully extended and raised perpendicular to your body, just like holding a viola. The top of your palm is where your palm connects with the fingers and not where the palm connects with the wrist.
length in inches/viola size
24.5" / 15"
26" / 16"
27.5" / 17"
I play a 16.5" viola. My measurement is 28.5" (I am 5'10" tall).
This is a guide only and nothing is better than actually trying the instruments on for size.
I hope this helps.
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Riki
(33 points)
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Thanks again!
I'm not sure how many violas I'll be able to try, but I'll look my best!
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