Viola or Cello?

Should i play the viola or the cello? Im in grade 7, and i have no knowledge of reading music (except piano). I tried the viola once and the cello. I loved both the sounds, but there is a big price difference. The viola is uncomfortable and starts to hurt your shoulder. But the cello is way more comfortable. Could someone help me?

Viola or Cello?
DEFINITELY play the cello, it has a much better soud, and a much greater range in uses. Unlike the viola, which is awkward and almost always some sort of back up, harmonic, etc part we often get the melody have much better parts. In addition cello is much more comfortable to play.





Also we have much more music written specifically for the cello. How many viola solo's are there in the world... not that much. and most of them are written by modern composers and don't even sound good.





If you want to hear some real cello go Listen to some Bach, or Tchaickovsky... etc...





Also, electric cello is often used in modern pop, country, and other forms of music. Just turn on the radio. If you listen for it you will notice. And if thats not hard core enough for you check out the band "apopalyptica:" a cello quartet that plays things like metallica etc. DO IT.





Anyways, you don't want to play the viola, the cello has the same note range, just a little deeper. We also get to play all three cleff's (spelling?) bass, alto, and tennor.





besides, viola's are at the but of every orchestra joke... for example: whats the diffference between a viola and a trampoline... you take your shoes off before jumping on the trampoline. haha...





I hate to bash violists but the percentage of them that are truly good is very low, and unless you really are good, you never sound as good as a violin or a cello or even a base. Besides, I have two close friends, who played viola, that are going to USC to study to become orchestra teachers and they both had to learn to play cello for school. Both of them told me that they wished they had played the cello because they like it better.





seriously though, for all practical, astetic, and any other purpose, play cello. And if you are considering ANY sort of future in music, the viola is proabably the worst choice you can make, because unless you are some sort of prodigy it won't happen.
Reply:Good!!! Report It

Reply:Hello! Im in 7th Grade too! I also have Orchestra as my elective and I play the Viola which I like.





The Viola is better than the Cello because the Violin is similar to the Viola, the Viola is way cheaper than the Cello, the Viola is easier to play than the Cello, and the Viola is smaller than the Cello.


First of all, the Violin is similar to the Viola. The Viola plays on the same octave as the Violin but the Cello plays one octave lower. Playing at the same octave can help when you tune. If you play the Viola, you can easily play the Violin. The fingerings and the bow are similar to the Violin.


Second of all, the Viola is cheaper than the Cello. You can save money by buying a viola and repair costs will be lower.


Third of all, the Viola is easier to play than the Cello. The Cello's fingerings are a little harder than the Viola's. For example, to play the note E, on a Cello, you will have to slide your fingers up but on a Viola, you simply just have to place your fourth finger down. Playing a Viola can hurt more than Playing a Cello but if you get used to playing the Viola, you won't have a problem.


Fourth of all, the Viola is Smaller than the Cello. This can be a huge advantage. The Viola won't take up much space as a Cello when you store it. The Viola will be easier to carry than a Cello. Also, to play the Cello, you will have to play sitting in a chair but if you play the Viola, you can stand while you play.


A cello can have advantages over the Viola. You can already read Cello music because you can read piano music. Cello and piano music are similar. However, Viola music is not. But you will learn to read music so it doesn't really matter. If you have backpain while you play the Cello, you will have to sit so the backpain will bother you but if you play the Viola, normally in a small music group, you will have to stand so your back will hurt you.


In Conclusion, you should get a Cello because the Violin is similar to the Viola, the Viola is way cheaper than the Cello, the Viola is easier to play than the Cello, and the Viola is smaller than the Cello.





Again, it's your choice! I'm just trying to help you.
Reply:they both sound good right? i love them both but i play violin... anyhow maybe you should use shoulder rest for viola or maybe you're not fit enough to play viola but since you comfortable with cello you should play cello
Reply:Chin rests make violas not hurt...it might be uncomfortable at first but you get used to it, I play violin so I don't have any real preference but I'm pretty sure cello's easier...
Reply:I'm not sure anyone can answer this with you. Go to a symphony concert and talk to the players afterwards. Follow your heart.
Reply:I love the viola but its large size mean that I have to stick with the violin. Go with the cello ; if the viola feels uncomfortable then don't risk injury by playing it.


You should always trust your gut instincts on these things. They are both beautiful instruments so you can't really loose on this decision.
Reply:Am in general agreement with several respondents who have pick cello. It is a lovely instrument.





As a bass player, however, I'm a bit partial to a double-bass. You might want to at least consider that as an alternative to the other two. And.........after gaining a reasonable amount of expertise, you will find that bass will not restrict you to a symphonic environment -but- you could succeed in any number of musical genres that wouldn't otherwise include viola or cello.





Just my (biased) two cents.





Best of luck my young friend !!
Reply:I would play cello. I think they sound better, and have more interesting music. Also, you won't have to learn a new clef if you already read piano music. You should play cello, especially if it's more comfortable.
Reply:If you really want satisfaction from and/or recognition for your musicianship, don't choose the viola. It's like singing the alto part in a duet for soprano and contralto. In any ensemble, you're 99% of the time planying a "harmonic", subsidiary part; rarely if ever, a solo.





The cello has a beautiful and unique sound, and there is an awful lot of music written for it: very, very little for the viola(other than playing "alto" in an orchestra, or string ensemble).





My recommendation with no hesitation whatsoever, is the cello.





Enjoy,





Wotan
Reply:I say get the cello. It's melodic tune is far more beautiful than that of a viola's and no offense to viola players but I think the cellists are more important and essential to any orchestrated piece of music whereas a viola can be easily replaced by a violin transposing. It is true that violas are way cheaper but I say rent a cello for now. Cellos also have the most gorgeous pieces ever written (in my opinion) such as Bach's Cello Suites, Eccles Sonata, etc etc. I'm a violinist but i wished i started with a cello. They sound so beautiful and trust me, the competition between cellists in orchestra seating isn't as bad as violin seating. At least you don't have parts written like "Cello 1, Cello 2". It's simply just "Cello" parts.