Hi everyone! I`m currently 16 and I`ve always wanted to play the viola (i liked the perfect sound, not as high as violin, but not as low as cello. it`s merely a perfect instrument) as my first instrument. Unfortunately, like all asian parents, my parents made me play the piano as my first instrument. I still play it, and actually I really appreciate my parents for pushing me and motivating all the time. I also play the guitar and drums. And just recently friend`s dad was a professional viola teacher. This will be good opportunity for me because its free lessons, plus according to my friend`s father, he has the access to whole sale priced violas. Do you think my musical background is adaquate enough for me to learn viola? When it comes to music, I am very passionate about it, and I am willing to practice till I reach my goal. Also what kind of viola would you guys recommend? Size? (I am 5`11) Thanks in advance! I also plan to make a huge forum site for musicians over the summer. Please let me know if you`d like to help! (maybe even a music business if more people would cooperate!)

- Mike

Talk to your friends father. If he`s a professional viola teacher, with connections on getting a viola, he should be able to size you for an instrument. good luck

Hi,

I know what you mean by asian parents
I play the harpsichord (bit the same as the piano) and the viola. And it is a very good combination. Because you need for both instruments quick fingers.
Go and learn the viola! It a one chance opportunity. And about the siez,I live in Belgium so we speak in meters. But if you can say it in meters I`d like to help you!

If you`ve got questions mail me! I don"t mind! ha_ngoc_phung@hotmail.com or jadenriverphoenix@yahoo.com

Sweeet! I mean like i hear my friends say like oh viola is rarely used cuz it`s tone sux. man i was about to slap them all. i even wondered what kind of friends i had. but those who said that were violinists, and i guess theres a battle going on between violists and violinists. man we should show em how its done! haha. im really excited learn! i love the tone of the viola. then its cello, then its viola.

Yeah, I`m always bickering with my friends (violinists) too, but hey! see over here : `More intimate than the cello and with a richer tone quality than the violin` (Koechlin) And he means the viola :p

good luck mike!i love the viola, asian parents love it too trust me!

well they love it as long as u dont OD on the practice...like i do. Ya, piano is always the start off instrument, but u have to give em the look: NO WAY! But pianos still sound great. I would think ur a size 16 or over cause of ur height. so u mght get a pretty big viola! Thats alrght tho, sot ppl play a 16..i play a 15 and 1/2.

I really wanna learn da viola but every1 asks why do you? Well why not? My dad forced me 2 learn da piano at 9 and i still do as my 1st instrument. I also play the saxophone but that was under the influence of my dad too. Hey is it possible 2 teach myself the basics cuz i understand the concept of the alto clef. What do u think???

Hey,

I won`t teach yourself the basics, because that`s, yeah, the basics. They have to be good. You can`t really learn them from pictures. And once you`ve learned them wrong you can`t change.

Greets and good luck.

Hey Phung,
about the basics business i learn Grade 5 theory at school and i know already how 2 use the alto clef. Soz, i didn`t make that clear. I meant is it possible 2 learn the viola now from my knowledge of the alto clef???

Hi again,

well I really think you should know how to hold your instrument correctly and how to use it. If you already learned that in practice, you can I think yes.

Enyoj!

Phung, I just noticed now that you play the same unusual combination of instruments I do. Your the first person I`ve met that plays harpsichord and viola.
I haven`t played the harpsichord in a few months, as I play the viola as my main instrument now.
But still, that`s interesting.

I also love the sound of the viola, and I would love to play, but is it quite hard in comparison to other string instruments? I have learnt piano and clarinet for 5 years now. Do you have to start on violin first to go to the viola?

Jess

the viola is not that hard to play i learned the basics at age nine in a few years, it is only my fourth year playing the viola and I am first chair and in chamber.
my advice is to work hard and you`ll have no problem