Helooo!

I want to learn the Viola soon but I am not sure whether it`s an easy intrument to play bcause I am 18 and I feel that I may not progress as fast!

You will progress fast if you have the will to learn, the desire, and some coordination and willingness to listen.

Do you play anything else now? Why do you want to learn the viola? Do you have any aspirations: just for fun, join the school orchestra, become a professional, what?

A real love for the music and making music is what it takes to stay in it--as well as talent. But talent is of secondary importance in terms of sticking with an instrument. There are many "recreational" musicians who play merely for the love of playing--even if they stink (that`s me ;-) If what you are playing does not inspire you, chances are you will stop. Of course nobody says you have to play a particular kind of music on any particular instrument.

Regards,

Bill

Bill,

I play the flute and piano. The flute was my first instrument.

I am planning to go to music college soon and I was planning to major in flute. I am going to do a foundation which only needs grade 3 to get in.

My goal is to join an orchestra. I wanted to play the flute in the orchestra but for some weird reason, i seem like I am parting from it. I dunno...maybe it is `the time` where this instrument is not for me...or maybe because I have no role models to look at for flute!

I just look around and see so many violinists. THe viola is ignored and someone like me needs to revive them!

umm, i don`t think the viola is a REALLY EASY instrument, but you have a musical background. you shouldn`t have a problem. only thing is that you`ll have to learn a new clef: alto clef, which is basically a clef in which middle c is on the middle line. i want to learn the viola too.

well, good luck. i hope i get the opportunity to play viola as well. hehe.

If you are planning to go to music college, you must be pretty good, so your pitching must by good. This is a major problem for many players when the start a string instrument - the pitching is completely down to you. If you practise and have lessons, you should get your Gr 3 pretty darn quickly. On the other hand, it seems to be much rarer for a musician who is already competent to pick up a string instrument and get to Grade 8 or whatever in 2 years compared with good wind players learning another wind instrument. It is a different skill, but like any instrument, if you persevere you will succeed good luck.

Plus, if you play the viola you will always be in demand, unlike violin (or flute for that matter). The Alto Clef isn`t really that scary IMO.

it took me about 2 weeks of really looking at the clef and then i got it good. (btw, i played violin for 3 years, and i switched to the viola in oct. and already i`m doing grade 5. don`t worry, you`ll get it.) good luck!

Go for it! The viola totally rocks! Sooooo fun.

Much love,
Jonny

Pitching? That reminds me of that viola joke...


PS; intonation

U guys... what are grades?????? I am soo lost, at my school, they certainly dont have grades..in a matter of fact..they only have 2 violists for next yr, me and this other person. I was the only violist this year at the high (9th grade) im so confuzzled. help me out!!!