hi im going to sound so dumb but..i just bought a cheap beginner viola from ebay, and before i get any tuition, i was wanting to try to teach myself a bit, but i cant get any sound from the viola! i have never played any string instrument before, only piano (which plays as soon as you hit a key) so if anyone could help me i would be forever appreciative! thank you!

The answer is simple, you haven`t rosined the bow. You need LOTS of rosin on the bow before you will be able to use it.

Liz

thank you!!!!!!

Just a note to the other reply. You need lots and lots of rosin. I also got one from ebay, and I had to rosin for 15 min.

easy buy some rosin 4 your bow(i suggest dark rosin) and make sure that it`s in tune

I also just got my viola...(luv it!)

However, it digs into my collar bone, I can see that causing a problem as I play more. Am I doing something wrong? I have a shoulder rest, but haven`t figured out how to adjust that comfortably either. It`s a 16".

I don`t really have a solution to that, but I know I`ve been playing for about three years and I still haven`t been really able to comfortably hold mine either. Just play around with it a lot, especially with the hight of the different ends and try holding it up higher. I know I hold mine kind of low and when I make my chin fit thightly into the rest, it get a little better after a while(although my chin locks up like crazy afterwards ).

Oh no! LOL...I was actually hoping I was doing something wrong!

This might sound funny...but I placed a (clean) dishrag over my shoulder...and took the weight of my chin off the rest as much as I dared...and it was WAY more comfortable - but still awkward.

However, I`ll keep at it! Thanks for the reply!

i bought a dvd called "the ultimate beginner series" and the woman who nararates the dvd says to take a small sponge and attach a large rubber band to the knob at the bottom of the viola and then stretch it across the sponge and then onto the bottom corner arch of the viola. this will attatch the sponge to the bottom corner where your neck and shoulder hold the viola. i hope that helps.

Hi everyone I am 60 and just learning to play the viola. We have a beginner string orchestra that plays recitals twice a year. Using dark rosin. Does anyone know where I can get a free copy of twinkle little star for viola? I sing contralto and like the viola for the same type part. Why is viola pronounced veola? Because when the violinist bow hit him, he said eeeee!

In just about any tutor book, i would have thought!

Liz

Thanks Susan...I just saw a young violist with a sponge during her solo performance...I`ll give it a shot...

I just got my viola, too, and had the same problem--no sound... urr... almost none. I know this thread goes back a few months, but thanks for the rosin tip! Was hoping that was it.

I know this reply is a little late...

Don`t use a sponge. Buy a decent shoulder rest for $12. The best rosin to get is William Salchow rosin. On a new bow, it will take less time then with the cheap rosin that came with your viola.

Hi, umm Im having trouble with my viola. My bow wont play.any ideas?