Cello to the viola?

I have been playing the cello for 4 years but its getting so annoying to carry it around all the time because its heavy i have always loved to play the viola should i make the switch? would it be hard??? I have orchestra in school though since its summer do you think i could switch and catch up by september?

Cello to the viola?
Well, the strings are tuned to the same pitches, just one octave higher. You WILL have to learn to read C clef (alto clef). You can get a head start by going to www.practicespot.com and doing some worksheets. Your teacher will help you find a viola that is the right size; unlike the other strings, there is no standard size, and they are measured in inches. If your arms are long enough, you can get a longer one (over 16, even close to 17 inches) that will make adjusting to the new finger positions easier - they will not feel SO tiny!





In the meantime, get yourself some easy things in alto clef, and try playing them WAAAY up in a high or thumb position on the cello, to get used to the spacing. The strings might be hard to depress there, but it might be an experiment that helps you learn to read alto clef.
Reply:The difficulty will come from the smaller period between pitches on the viola fingerboard, and the shallower action. Also, the viola speaks much quicker than the cello, especially in the low notes -- so that will take some getting used to when adjusting your bowing technique. At least you won't have to learn a new tuning!! (Just remember that it's an octave higher :-D).





Some of those larger double-stops are easier on the viola!!





I think it would not take you long to adjust to these difficulties -- but I would surely not totally give up on the cello.
Reply:you too .... I'm not abandoning cello but I am playing the viola ... unless your school has a phenomenal music program you should be able to catch up as long as you practice everyday ... the hardest part is learning that alto clef ... everything else is just simple adjustments .... and the vibrato is totally different so get help with that ..... OOOPS forgot the bowing difference you can lighten up on the bowing and still get a good full sound ... also think with the alto clef that all the notes went up a whole step it helps with the reading
Reply:Go for it and you'll know.
Reply:As a violist, I say, the more the merrier!
Reply:I think cello to the viola would be a little difficult, but if you've been playing for four years already, it might not be too hard...meanning you might have learned enough musically to take on that challenge. Personally I play the violin, i started in the fourth grade and when I got to my sophmore year of high school they decided they needed more violists so I volunteered to learn. It was a little easier for me I think since I already played the violin and they are a bit more similar, but I picked it up pretty quick so you might not have that hard of a time.





I say go for it. The worst that could happen is that you end up realizing you don't like it and go back to playing cello which personally I always found as a beautiful instrument.
Reply:You will need to learn the alto clef , which is pretty easy since you are used to reading more than one clef ;)The other thing you may struggle with is the fingering pattern is different then the cello . You have enough music experience on the cello that switching viola should not be a problem for you . If I were you I would pick it up now , so by the term you will be quite comfortable with the instrument. Have fun....