About the viola??

i used to play the violin like ages ago (i quited cuz i hated the sound, not that i was bad or anything),


and recently met this friend who plays the cello.


got intersted in playin again, but i think i'll do the viola


i mean, i don't like the cello cuz it's too big (but i like apocalyptica ) so i decided to go for viola (not sophrano violin again)





the problem is that people say that the viola's officially not finished, like they're still remaking and deciding what a viola will be like...and they say that the violin's better (i prefer the deeper sound of the viola) is it true?





also, i know it might sound awkward but can you play the viola like a violin (as in the music sheet) and like not do the back ground playing like most violas are supposed to be?





also, how much do wooden violas and electric violas cost?





i would prefer answers from people who know about the violin the viola and the cello.

About the viola??
What do you mean by remaking and deciding what it will be like? As in its role in the orchestra or the build in instrument? Technically, all instruments are still developing. Sometime soon, there may be some wild improvement to all instruments that changes the face of the orchetra or the musical world, like the metronome or the modern day bow, which wasn't developed until the 1700s. A hundred years from now, the viola (and the violin) may look totally different than it does today, so technically all instruments are still developing.





You can play the viola like a violin. But, keep in mind, that the viola clef (I can't remember what it is because I play violin... I think it's the alto clef) is different than the violin's treble clef, so it might be harder to. There actually are concertos made for violas. There aren't very many of them, though, and a lot of them are adapted from violin concertos.





I don't know about electric instruments (I've seen them from $400+), but traditional wooden instruments can be anywhere from $50 to a million dollars. You probably don't need a million dollar instrument, but avoid cheaper instruments. I'd go for one that's at least $500. I was trying to tune my friends $50 violin the other day, and the E string popped the minute I touched the pegs because of the quality of the instrument. She said that that had happened to her several times. Whereas, for my $4000 instument, I've never had that problem. Neither has anyone else that I know who has a higher qulaity instrument.





Good luck and stick with it! I love stringed instruments!
Reply:See:





Viola Resources


http://beststudentviolins.com/violas.htm...
Reply:Violas are not uncommon, although they are not as common as the violin. I have made a similar transition, from the violin to the viola and am thoroughly enjoying the deep sound. The viola is just as established as the violin, although it is played y a considerable amount of people less than the violin. In terms of physically, you play and hold the viola the same, but on the sheet music it is in Bass clef not treble. This is an easy transition, but be sure to keep both clefs up to scratch or it will lead to difficulties. It is true that in the orchestra the viola is used especially by classical composers as a back up, or accompaniment, if it was in the original manuscript as well, but it is slowly becoming more recognisable. Electric violas are hard to find, I have not come across one but by all means keep looking.The good news is that violas are the same price if not cheaper than violins and can be found in most stores. The violin is not necessarily 'better' that can only be seen as a personal opinion. So, from experience, you may as well try the viola as the sound is more true and deep. There is discrimination against violas, but composers are starting to realise how important they are. (Don't buy instruments off ebay as the majority are of poor quality. I learnt the hard way.)