I was just given a viola for my birthday, but I have no idea how to play it. Help?

I have played violin for about ten years, piano for nine, and guitar this past year. I really love the sound of the viola and I can't wait to learn it, but I need some kind of site that tells me how to read the music, the clef, the strings' names and the notes on them. I also need some music that would be easy for a beginner, although I can play any tune I wish on it because of violin. If anyone could post some helpful sites or advice or a place to get free music or help that would be great!

I was just given a viola for my birthday, but I have no idea how to play it. Help?
The fat part goes on the bottom.
Reply:A viola uses the alto clef; middle C is the middle line, so the lines (from the bottom) are F, A, C, E, F, and the spaces are G, B, D, F. Other than that, you just have to pracitce and get used to it - which you will do fairly quickly.





Enjoy!
Reply:http://www.chrisbsmusic.com/strininmetbo...











pick up suzuki viola method, book one
Reply:there is book available for the transition called From Violin to Viola by Whistler published by Hal Leonard I found it very helpful
Reply:Remember that if goes 'C' 'G' 'D' 'A', still tuned in 5ths, remember whole steps and half steps.basically like a violin because of the 'g' 'd' 'a' only difference is no high 'e' but a low 'c'
Reply:so lame...
Reply:Here is the reason the viola is supreme:





Middle C is directly in the middle of the staff in alto clef.


Middle C is essentially the middle most note you can play in 1st position.





Check out a few theory websites, thorough knowledge of all the clefs and how to transpose through them is required at a certain level of mastery.
Reply:Once upon a time when you bought a musical instrument , there were so many free lessons went with it. I was only 7yrs old when I got a piano accordian. Never had a music lesson in my life and in three weeks the music teacher had me playing a piece of music with both hands. Check out where the viola was bought from and ask them do they have those free lesson options for you. Good Luck.
Reply:You might need to take lessons and even practice it at home
Reply:VIOLA??? I LOVE VIOLA!!!


Ha ha... I play viola, in case you couldn't tell.


Um, I don't know a site, but the clef looks kinda like a B and the middle line is a C (on the G string) and it's called the "Alto Clef" in case you didn't know that. Cause I think viola (besides if you count voice) is the only instrument that uses the alto clef (not the same as tenor, though I used to confuse them)


The strings are (top - bottom) A, D, G, C


Viola's super cool, and you should definitely learn it. The world needs more violists!!!


Oh, this might help too: http://www.viola.com/





Good luck!!!





Oh, and as for transposing, just take a note in alto clef, move it up a step to find it in trebble clef (though you'll still have to go down an octave)
Reply:buy a book from ur closest music supply store, dont be surprised if u cant play it.... its a lot differnt to playing a violin i have a friend who plays tthe cello and violin and she said that it was no help knowing how to play the violin befoer she got it becuase its different sounds and notes etc
Reply:I hope these sites helps you in what you were looking for.








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