Violin, Viola or 'Cello?

Hi there,





I have made the choice to take up another instrument. And after extensively listening to violin, viola and 'cello pieces, I've narrowed it down to these 3 instruments. However as I haven't had any personal experience with these instruments, I would appreciate it if the core differences of the 3 could be stated, but more importantly your own personal opinion on each. I have read much on the technical differences with each, but I would like to know more detailed information, like what it's like to play them etc.. also any other information that would be helpful to me as a prospective learner for each instrument would be much appreciated!

Violin, Viola or 'Cello?
I would start with the violin(be sure you have a "good" teacher).





Why? Firstly, it's the smallest, and therefore will probably be easier for you to handle, manipulate, play, in the beginning.





The string section of an orchestra - if you forsee that you will probably be playing in one - is divided into generally 6 parts: lst and 2nd violins, cellos, double-basses(bass viols)and harp(s).





If you're playing in the lst violin section, you will more often than not, be playing the lead: the melody; 2nd violins usually, harmony.





Cellos, although they have a beautiful tone and often play a principal part, they are a good deal larger, and more difficult to transport.





Unless you are a guy, stay away from the bass-viols: very few women ever attempt them because of hand-width requirements.





The harp even though it is considered a string instrument, is only "plucked", never bowed as the other strings instruments are; and are generally considered an entity unto themselves.





You state, "take up another" instrument; you don't say which one you already play; so one naturally would assume it isn't a string instrument. Why? Care to edit(add details)?





Anyway, the viola: this is not a "revered" instrument; undoubtedly in plays a most important harmonic role in nearly all orchestral compositions, but there is relatively very little music written for it as a solo insturment, and 95% of the time, its role is harmonic: one of the few compositions where it really shines, is Hector Berlioz's "Harold in Italy"; you should listen to this piece, if you can. I'm sure you can hear it on You Tube.





Well, I've gone on much longer than I had intended, so will end this little epic. Hope I have been of some help,





Alberich
Reply:Well I play the violin, so I am rather biased towards it lol, but the violin in an orchestra is the dominant instrument, and the for the majority of the time has the tune. It is a popular solo instrument too, much more than the viola and cello. The viola, I think sounds better than the violin, mainy because it's lower, and has a richer sound, but it isn't much of a solo instrument, and never leads an orchestra. This applies to the cello too, a very velvety sound, very dramatic, and the cello is commonly used for concerto's, and some techniques such as vibrato are easier. It depends what you are aiming for as a musician, but all of them are as amazing sounding as each other when they're played right :] Good luck!
Reply:I guess I'm slightly biased being a viola player but I would suggest trying it. It might be more of a challenge due to alto clef though. Unlike violins viola have different wave-lengths or frequency and producer a less bright twangy sound and instead a mellow warm tone. True, in most cases you'll be stuck without the melody but it's the inner voices like viola that make an orchestra piece interesting. Many people I know who play both violin and viola prefer playing viola. =) give it a try you might find you like it.
Reply:what instrument do you currently play?





i play all three but started with viola. after maybe 4 years i would help by doubleing up 2nd violins in school. i could already read treble clef from 10 years of piano. so if you play the viola and already know how to read treble clef, you can really play viola and violin. i can't really tell you much about the cello as i have only been playing for about a week. all i can say is that it is physically demanding because i have a short pinky finger and thumb. i also have tendonitis so i need to watch that carefully.





its really what you want to do. i would go with viola though ; )
Reply:The answer can only come from inside you. Which instrument really moves you? There are technical considerations like size of hands. I suggest you find a good shop or music school and search out an opportunity to really try each one. All are very expressive but only one will speak for you and to you Sometimes there are rental schemes and you can switch later.Good luck in your search. I personally like the intimacy of the violin.
Reply:Well personally I think you should go with the cello, becuase I played it for several years and I enjojed every min of it. But you should listen to prof. players like yo yo ma. Try going to public library they have a ton of cds for free u can check out.
Reply:Strings?!


ugh!


start a brass instrument!


they're generally more fun, and as for being dominant in the orchestra, there's only a couple of percussion instruments who can play louder than you (if you can really call percussion 'instruments', that is)
Reply:Violin! :DDDDDDDDDDDDD


Cello is although amazingly beautiful%26lt;3


but i love violin much much more.


i guess in a way viola is "best of both worlds"


but mehhh viola isn't that cool.


haha. pick violin or cello
Reply:In case you're not aware, http://www-cs-students.stanford.edu/~duf...
Reply:I don't play any of those..


But I think the cello sounds quite amazing.
Reply:Well, it really is your personal decision. Which draws you most when you listen?





People who play one of the three will say their own instrument, just as I will say 'cello because its what I play and love to play. However, its got to be all about you. This is an instrument you're going to bond with, spend hours with, tears, frustration, joy. Cheesy stuff, I know. But thats how it works. You could always take up two if music is going to be your whole life.





But listen to the solo works. Listen to how they fit into orchestras and string quartets. Listen to how they can cross over into other genres if that interests you.





If you're a small person, don't let that deter you from 'cello. I'm very small and I like to think I'm a decent cellist.





Violin: Lucky people get the melody a lot of the time. They have incredibly demanding parts and a whole lot of repertoire written for them. They can be included in almost every kind of group imaginable and usually get very good solo parts.





Viola: This instrument is underrated. As a cellist I know its my place to make fun of it and I do, but for this, I will tell the truth. A bad violist is HORRENDOUS. However, in a group, its essential. In the orchestra its usually a very strong harmonic support as it is in string quartet. It's not a huge solo instrument but its really beginning to come out I like to think. It has a very unique sound and although the repertoire isn't huge, its an instrument with a lot of opportunity school wise and job wise.





Cello: I think we're the lucky instruments to get both harmony, melody and countermelodic parts. We have a pretty darn decent repertoire and the chamber music parts are usually fantastic. They're wonderful solo instruments and great crossover instruments as well. The tone is just huge, sweet and very soulful (at least out of a good cellist). We get these amazing melodies as sections in orchestra.





So again, up to you. I hope this helped.





~Lisa





Edit: I just have to say, as a cellist, I am NOT jealous of the violin parts because I love my own. But if you see the passion that develops, its such a wonderful emotion.
Reply:All three can be beautiful instruments. I play violin and love it. We have so much wonderful repertoire (more than cello and definitely more than viola). As a violinist, it is also fairly easy to switch to viola if one wants to (many violists actually started out on violin). Violin is also easier on your back than viola. We also have such a wonderful range of tone color. Once you've become a good player, the highest range of the violin is stunning. I love the feeling of playing the violin. Gravity works for you when you play. Even when I first started playing, I really loved the feeling of pulling the bow across the string. On the violin, it just happens so naturally, and it feels more and more natural the longer I play. You might also want to consider what your role would be in ensemble playing. Other string players often envy the violins because they almost always get the most interesting and melodic parts in orchestral and chamber music.





I am of course biased, but these are just the reasons I enjoy playing violin so much.