I am looking for a new private teacher (My last one was for viola) and I was wondering which instrument do you think I should focus on (your post help, but i'm the one deciding this, not you) I intend to work in an orchestra after college and I'm a novice at both instruments (I can play two octaves on bassoon and I can shift into and out of 4 position regularly) . Another thing to note is that there is not a communinty orchestra in the area so I'm practicing by myself on Viola however, I can play Bassoon in my schools band.
I really like both Bassoon for its versatility and sound across all register, and Viola for its expressiveness and the ability to play both Violin and Cello music.
Should I play Bassoon or Viola?
I think doing both, as suggested by several others, would be very good. However, there are a couple of things to consider. First, I would think that there would be more orchestra positions available for violists thus giving you a better chance at finding a place to play. But, it seems in your present circumstances that you would be able to gain more ensemble playing experience and instruction by going with the bassoon. And remember, working on two makes greater demands on your practice time.
A good idea would be to talk with your school director. Also when you reach the college level there will be opportunities to play both in various ensembles which will help you decide on which one (or both) you wish to concentrate. It is a demanding path but some people choose to pursue a double concentration or major.
Best of luck to you.
Musician, composer, teacher.
Reply:Why not play both ? They are both lovely instruments but I would prefer the viola.
The viola is my favourite instrument.
I think there would be more work for you as a viola player .
Reply:I would play both...there aren't that many violists or bassoonists...if I could I would play both..
Reply:I would play the Bassoon ... I think it suits you
x
Reply:You should focus on bassoon. If that's the one you can play more often, like at your school's band, then you should focus on that one. UNLESS you are much better at one than the other, or you like one much better. also, don't completely give up whichever one you don't focus on. ; )
Reply:Bassoon. It's more marketable. Besides, when's the last time you heard a bassoon joke?
OTOH, the viola repertoire is better music than the bassoon repertoire.
Reply:viola is definatly the better instrument to play
it might be harder .... but you will learn how to play it properly and it has a beautiful sound! am sure you are capable of doing it!
otherwise if you want to play the basoon its easier and you can play fun pieces
but there is more repertoire on the viola
at the end of the day its your choice
good luck am sure you will do well on whatever you choose
Reply:Given the choice between those two I'd go with the the bassoon.
Reply:Bassoon players are generally harder to come by, at least as far as I can tell, so you're more likely to get more gigs if you're a good bassoonist. If an orchestra is short a few violas usually there are violin players who can double, but an orchestra short on bassoons is S.O.L. until someone comes along. So I'd say Bassoon.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Viola and violin? flute?
what's the difference between a viola and a violin? which one's easier to learn? ..which one sounds better?
.. would any of you guys rather prefer playing the flute or violin? is the flute easy to learn to play? TT-TT help me por favor? :D
Viola and violin? flute?
The differences between a violin and viola are:
- The clefs they read in. (Violin reads treble, viola generally alto.. occasionally some treble)
- Their strings and sound. (Violins strings from lowest to highest are GDAE. Viola is CGDA. The viola has a more mellow sound, while the violin is a bit more bright)
- Their size. (Violas are slightly to considerably bigger than violas. Violins come in smaller sizes up to 4/4. Violas are measured in inches. I play on a 15 1/2" viola, which is a smaller viola, but still larger than my violin)
- Usually (in orchestral settings) often the violin plays the melody and the viola plays some kind of harmony accompaniment.
Which ones easier to learn? They're probably around the same. Violin may be easier if you have smaller hands, viola if you're a bit larger because of the size of the fingerboard and the spacing for your fingers. The technique is pretty similar.
Which one sounds better? It depends on the person. I like both a lot, I play both (started on violin, eventually started viola) but I kind of like the viola sound. It's very underrated and quite beautiful in its own.
About flute.. I had to learn it this past semester at college and I certainly had a time with it. Flute comes easily to a lot of people, but some people like myself have problems with it. I have the unfortunate tear drop in my lip which made flute all the more difficult for me to play. The fingering isn't that difficult for flute, it's just the embouchure setup... and if your lips aren't ideal, it can be difficult.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do :)
Reply:Violin is easy for me, very easy. Viola is harder to solicit a tone from and there is a higher chance of you being out of tune due to the larger fingerboard. Violists have to be more precise than violinists who can put their fingers in the general area of the note and play the right pitch. Report It
Reply:they all sound bad. My girlfriend plays flute and AAHHHHHHHHHH
Reply:Flute is easier to become 'competent' at than violin/viola. Violin and viola are the same instrument but slightly different size, so if you learn one, you can play the other (you just have to adjust the spacing of the fingering a bit)
Reply:Learning to play viola or violin is about the same but most people will agree that the violin is a much more beautiful instrument to listen to.
Neither violin nor flute is easy but if you have the right shape lips to play the flute it is probably the easier of the two.
Reply:A violin is smaller and higher pitched than the viola. Between those 2 they are the same to learn - just one is slightly bigger. Most people start on violin and progress to viola.
Flute is easier to learn the basics of - string instruments are quite tricky. I am a flute performer/teacher, so I am a bit biased!!!!
Whatever you do find a good, qualified teacher. Especially for flute - stay away from people who say they can play flute, clarinet, saxophone...etc. They know a bit but not enough to be a good teacher. Find someone who specializes in flute and just flute (or flute %26amp; piccolo).
Have fun!
flowers baby
.. would any of you guys rather prefer playing the flute or violin? is the flute easy to learn to play? TT-TT help me por favor? :D
Viola and violin? flute?
The differences between a violin and viola are:
- The clefs they read in. (Violin reads treble, viola generally alto.. occasionally some treble)
- Their strings and sound. (Violins strings from lowest to highest are GDAE. Viola is CGDA. The viola has a more mellow sound, while the violin is a bit more bright)
- Their size. (Violas are slightly to considerably bigger than violas. Violins come in smaller sizes up to 4/4. Violas are measured in inches. I play on a 15 1/2" viola, which is a smaller viola, but still larger than my violin)
- Usually (in orchestral settings) often the violin plays the melody and the viola plays some kind of harmony accompaniment.
Which ones easier to learn? They're probably around the same. Violin may be easier if you have smaller hands, viola if you're a bit larger because of the size of the fingerboard and the spacing for your fingers. The technique is pretty similar.
Which one sounds better? It depends on the person. I like both a lot, I play both (started on violin, eventually started viola) but I kind of like the viola sound. It's very underrated and quite beautiful in its own.
About flute.. I had to learn it this past semester at college and I certainly had a time with it. Flute comes easily to a lot of people, but some people like myself have problems with it. I have the unfortunate tear drop in my lip which made flute all the more difficult for me to play. The fingering isn't that difficult for flute, it's just the embouchure setup... and if your lips aren't ideal, it can be difficult.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do :)
Reply:Violin is easy for me, very easy. Viola is harder to solicit a tone from and there is a higher chance of you being out of tune due to the larger fingerboard. Violists have to be more precise than violinists who can put their fingers in the general area of the note and play the right pitch. Report It
Reply:they all sound bad. My girlfriend plays flute and AAHHHHHHHHHH
Reply:Flute is easier to become 'competent' at than violin/viola. Violin and viola are the same instrument but slightly different size, so if you learn one, you can play the other (you just have to adjust the spacing of the fingering a bit)
Reply:Learning to play viola or violin is about the same but most people will agree that the violin is a much more beautiful instrument to listen to.
Neither violin nor flute is easy but if you have the right shape lips to play the flute it is probably the easier of the two.
Reply:A violin is smaller and higher pitched than the viola. Between those 2 they are the same to learn - just one is slightly bigger. Most people start on violin and progress to viola.
Flute is easier to learn the basics of - string instruments are quite tricky. I am a flute performer/teacher, so I am a bit biased!!!!
Whatever you do find a good, qualified teacher. Especially for flute - stay away from people who say they can play flute, clarinet, saxophone...etc. They know a bit but not enough to be a good teacher. Find someone who specializes in flute and just flute (or flute %26amp; piccolo).
Have fun!
flowers baby
Viola HELP?
I just bought a brand new viola, 15" and the seller told me to rosin for 20-25 minutes because its a brand new bow. I did and when I tried to play, the bow was rubbing the strings and not making the proper sound. I tried tuning the instrument but it still doesnt work. I tightened the bow but it still doesn;t work. Does anyone know why my instrument is not playing the sound properly?
Viola HELP?
I've never heard of applying rosin for 20-25 minutes. Your arm must be sore!
I would "snap" the hairs with a tight bow to get rid of the excess and try again.
They might be "less than optimal" quality strings, also.
I'm sorry to sound insulting, but we just don't know. Are you an experienced viola player or is this your first try? Do you have prior experience with any other stringed instrument?
You can't just rub the bow across the strings and expect a beautiful tone if you don't know the right way to do it. With a viola, you've got to dig in pretty good to get things started.
Click on the pencil icon under your question and "Add details" to answer my questions and you might get more useful answers from someone else who comes along.
Reply:I am glad things worked out so easily for you! You gave me a laugh, too. Report It
Reply:What kind of sound is it making?
If it's brand new rosin, and the top is shiny, then the rosin probably isn't coming off on the bow. You can use sandpaper on the rosin until it turns powdery looking and white before you put it on the bow. Make sure you have decent rosin, and not some cheapo stuff.
If there's too much rosin on the bow it will make a really scratchy sound on the strings as the rosin builds up. You'll have to clean the strings using a cotton cloth and special violin cleaner.
Viola HELP?
I've never heard of applying rosin for 20-25 minutes. Your arm must be sore!
I would "snap" the hairs with a tight bow to get rid of the excess and try again.
They might be "less than optimal" quality strings, also.
I'm sorry to sound insulting, but we just don't know. Are you an experienced viola player or is this your first try? Do you have prior experience with any other stringed instrument?
You can't just rub the bow across the strings and expect a beautiful tone if you don't know the right way to do it. With a viola, you've got to dig in pretty good to get things started.
Click on the pencil icon under your question and "Add details" to answer my questions and you might get more useful answers from someone else who comes along.
Reply:I am glad things worked out so easily for you! You gave me a laugh, too. Report It
Reply:What kind of sound is it making?
If it's brand new rosin, and the top is shiny, then the rosin probably isn't coming off on the bow. You can use sandpaper on the rosin until it turns powdery looking and white before you put it on the bow. Make sure you have decent rosin, and not some cheapo stuff.
If there's too much rosin on the bow it will make a really scratchy sound on the strings as the rosin builds up. You'll have to clean the strings using a cotton cloth and special violin cleaner.
Viola scales?
hi im looking for a book that has all the viola 3 octave scales and fingering would be nice too but if the book doesn't have it please post it anyway
THX
Viola scales?
The Carl Flesch Scale book is very useful, and is the most commonly used scale booklet among Violinists and Violists. Here is just a quick link from a search I did a second ago so you can see what it looks like:
http://www.sharmusic.com/itemdy00.asp?T1...
And here are the keywords I used for the search, in case you want to look for it yourself: "Carl Flesch" Scale Viola
By the way: Violas Rule!!!
Oh yeah, and if you want some fingerings for any of the scales, they are in the Carl Flesch book. I've learned some really good scale fingerings recently as well, so you can send me a message via my profile thing if you can't find any good fingerings or any that work well for you.
Reply:I know you can get sheet music and just individual sheets of the 3 octave scales for viola. I got one of these when I did an audition for viola and had to play 2 of the scales. They call them IMEA scales on the paper I had. If you can't find a book, you should be able to just listen and see what sounds right and memorize them.
Reply:I use a book called "Scales for Advanced Violinists" and it's great, very detailed and thorough. Of course, it's only for violinists, but it's compiled by Barbara Barber and you might try seeing if she has other publications.
THX
Viola scales?
The Carl Flesch Scale book is very useful, and is the most commonly used scale booklet among Violinists and Violists. Here is just a quick link from a search I did a second ago so you can see what it looks like:
http://www.sharmusic.com/itemdy00.asp?T1...
And here are the keywords I used for the search, in case you want to look for it yourself: "Carl Flesch" Scale Viola
By the way: Violas Rule!!!
Oh yeah, and if you want some fingerings for any of the scales, they are in the Carl Flesch book. I've learned some really good scale fingerings recently as well, so you can send me a message via my profile thing if you can't find any good fingerings or any that work well for you.
Reply:I know you can get sheet music and just individual sheets of the 3 octave scales for viola. I got one of these when I did an audition for viola and had to play 2 of the scales. They call them IMEA scales on the paper I had. If you can't find a book, you should be able to just listen and see what sounds right and memorize them.
Reply:I use a book called "Scales for Advanced Violinists" and it's great, very detailed and thorough. Of course, it's only for violinists, but it's compiled by Barbara Barber and you might try seeing if she has other publications.
Calling all VIOLA [violin/cello/base/whatever, orchestra] players, needing advice!!!?
i played the viola for 3 years in middle school, and loved it, but i had to give it up because i didnt have enough electives for high school, i had to take some classes required to graduate. now im in 10th grade, and i really REALLY miss playing the viola in an orchestra.
so my question is should i take orchestra in junior/senior year?????????? if so, should i go into a beginning class or a senior class? im not sure what kinds of levels they have, but our middle school had junior and esenior orchestra. i dont feel like i forgot what i learned over the three years, but i dont want to be over confident and look like an idiot if i dont know something? how can i make sure i know what i should know?
who should i talk about this to? couciler?? what to do?
please serious answers? thxxxx
Calling all VIOLA [violin/cello/base/whatever, orchestra] players, needing advice!!!?
I'd go for a beginner's class, that way you can be comfortable while you get a refresher. (Plus it's a nice confidence booster to be a little more experienced than the class requires.)
If you're in the class and you feel like it's way way WAY beneath your skill level, you can always talk to the instructor then and get switched out.
You'll do great, have fun, orchestra musicians rock :)
Reply:You should talk to the band teacher, councilor, anyone who would know anything about the class, sit in on a couple of classes and if none of that works out, a lot of communities have other orchestras you can enlist in. See if your parents would be willing to sign you up for extra lessons and you should be good.
Never quit on orchestra, it's fantastic
VIOLA PLAYERS RULE THE WORLD! SUCK THAT VIOLINISTS!
Reply:talk to the orchestra teacher and tell them your situation. we had a player like that in my orchestra and they worked hard and got really good. They will be understanding and willing to help you out. Obviously you will be committed. Don't stress because this not a rare happening. Its not your fault.
Reply:well.. you would have to practice first... and then see how well you can play. but usually... you have to audition to get in a group in high school.
Reply:I would sit in on one of the classes (if thats possible for you to do) If not I would ask the teacher for sheet music from both the junior and senior orchestra to see what level everyone is at.
so my question is should i take orchestra in junior/senior year?????????? if so, should i go into a beginning class or a senior class? im not sure what kinds of levels they have, but our middle school had junior and esenior orchestra. i dont feel like i forgot what i learned over the three years, but i dont want to be over confident and look like an idiot if i dont know something? how can i make sure i know what i should know?
who should i talk about this to? couciler?? what to do?
please serious answers? thxxxx
Calling all VIOLA [violin/cello/base/whatever, orchestra] players, needing advice!!!?
I'd go for a beginner's class, that way you can be comfortable while you get a refresher. (Plus it's a nice confidence booster to be a little more experienced than the class requires.)
If you're in the class and you feel like it's way way WAY beneath your skill level, you can always talk to the instructor then and get switched out.
You'll do great, have fun, orchestra musicians rock :)
Reply:You should talk to the band teacher, councilor, anyone who would know anything about the class, sit in on a couple of classes and if none of that works out, a lot of communities have other orchestras you can enlist in. See if your parents would be willing to sign you up for extra lessons and you should be good.
Never quit on orchestra, it's fantastic
VIOLA PLAYERS RULE THE WORLD! SUCK THAT VIOLINISTS!
Reply:talk to the orchestra teacher and tell them your situation. we had a player like that in my orchestra and they worked hard and got really good. They will be understanding and willing to help you out. Obviously you will be committed. Don't stress because this not a rare happening. Its not your fault.
Reply:well.. you would have to practice first... and then see how well you can play. but usually... you have to audition to get in a group in high school.
Reply:I would sit in on one of the classes (if thats possible for you to do) If not I would ask the teacher for sheet music from both the junior and senior orchestra to see what level everyone is at.
Names like viola?
my boyfriends grandmother's name is viola. it sounds very very old. any other names out there that sound like viola with a spin? definitlely not violet!
Names like viola?
dont name your baby Viola, in spanish it means Rape.
Reply:Veola, Violla, Villa
Violante, Violenta, Violetta, Violaine
Filia, Fiala, Fila, Fylla, Fola, Fulla, Fayolla
Olivia
Reply:I like Viola it has an old yet endearing sound to it.
another spin is Vennetia, Olivia,Vala, Vali, Villalta.
Boy: Virgil
Reply:Name her Viola but call her Vi.
Reply:i like vienna
Reply:I adore Viola! I like Violet too (becoming quite popular in the UK)
Why change it? It's classy, unusual and it's time it made a come-back.
How about Viola Tamsin or Tamsin Viola?
Reply:Violet...? Viola is actually a really nice name - it sounds "old" but in a very fashionable, classic way. I like it...!
Reply:It is different you don't heard that very often. I would use it but if you don't like it as a first name use it as a middle name. My 2 yr old got a family name that I wasn't so crazy about at first but I had to name him it because it made him the 5th generation in the family to have the Sylvester, we used it as a middle name like his dad. I like different names his first name is Maddox and his brother is Mason. Good luck on finding names or using it as possible a middle name. P.S. I like the name Veronica (Ronni for short)
Reply:there's violet. and vivianne. you could call her Vi. also Victoria. Vicky. many names. there's probably websites that have man versions of Viola.
Reply:Olivia
Vienna
Vione
Reply:Vivianne?
Reply:Olivia? I like Violet though too, it's cute.
Reply:Violin
Trumpet
Brass
Reply:Vila? ( Vai-la)
Portia? It reminds me of violet for some reason.
Reply:Vilianna - it's very melodic
Reply:If you don't like it as a first name, pair it with a modern name that you do like. It's what we did for our daughters. We found names that we thought were modern and paired them with the names of their grandmothers for a middle name. They liked being named after their grandma. It gives a strong sense of connection and history within the family, plus not to mention the pride it gave Grandma :o)
Good luck to you and your baby! Hope this helps. :o)
Reply:Victoria
Vivi
Veronica
Venus
Vuyiswa
Vuyo
Reply:i love viola. it may be old but it has strength and wisdom behind it
Maybe violette, depending if it v-ola or vye-ola you could call her vye or v kinda cute
olivia
Reply:Vienna.
Reply:kathleen
dorthey
affiliate reviews
Names like viola?
dont name your baby Viola, in spanish it means Rape.
Reply:Veola, Violla, Villa
Violante, Violenta, Violetta, Violaine
Filia, Fiala, Fila, Fylla, Fola, Fulla, Fayolla
Olivia
Reply:I like Viola it has an old yet endearing sound to it.
another spin is Vennetia, Olivia,Vala, Vali, Villalta.
Boy: Virgil
Reply:Name her Viola but call her Vi.
Reply:i like vienna
Reply:I adore Viola! I like Violet too (becoming quite popular in the UK)
Why change it? It's classy, unusual and it's time it made a come-back.
How about Viola Tamsin or Tamsin Viola?
Reply:Violet...? Viola is actually a really nice name - it sounds "old" but in a very fashionable, classic way. I like it...!
Reply:It is different you don't heard that very often. I would use it but if you don't like it as a first name use it as a middle name. My 2 yr old got a family name that I wasn't so crazy about at first but I had to name him it because it made him the 5th generation in the family to have the Sylvester, we used it as a middle name like his dad. I like different names his first name is Maddox and his brother is Mason. Good luck on finding names or using it as possible a middle name. P.S. I like the name Veronica (Ronni for short)
Reply:there's violet. and vivianne. you could call her Vi. also Victoria. Vicky. many names. there's probably websites that have man versions of Viola.
Reply:Olivia
Vienna
Vione
Reply:Vivianne?
Reply:Olivia? I like Violet though too, it's cute.
Reply:Violin
Trumpet
Brass
Reply:Vila? ( Vai-la)
Portia? It reminds me of violet for some reason.
Reply:Vilianna - it's very melodic
Reply:If you don't like it as a first name, pair it with a modern name that you do like. It's what we did for our daughters. We found names that we thought were modern and paired them with the names of their grandmothers for a middle name. They liked being named after their grandma. It gives a strong sense of connection and history within the family, plus not to mention the pride it gave Grandma :o)
Good luck to you and your baby! Hope this helps. :o)
Reply:Victoria
Vivi
Veronica
Venus
Vuyiswa
Vuyo
Reply:i love viola. it may be old but it has strength and wisdom behind it
Maybe violette, depending if it v-ola or vye-ola you could call her vye or v kinda cute
olivia
Reply:Vienna.
Reply:kathleen
dorthey
affiliate reviews
Help me choose a viola.?
I'm having trouble choosing a viola, especially it being online because the sound might not be wonderful.
http://www.music123.com/Florea-Salonta-V...
http://www.music123.com/Strunal-Model-3-...
That's all I could find with an exceptionaly price. Thanks.
Help me choose a viola.?
Buying an instrument over the internet is a risky business. How well it looks has little effect on how good it sounds. I wouldn't buy one without a money-back garuntee, or better yet, a trial period where you can send it back if you don't like it. Stringworks has a trial period and fantastic instruments for the price. http://www.stringworks.com
Do you play? If you've never played one, you might want to consider renting one for a few months first. You can rent them online or at local music shops. That's a good idea, since you want to know what a decent viola should sound like and how it should handle before buying your own.
Reply:I would buy an instrument that I could not try out first. I am sure you have a local shop. Start there. They will be able to help you choose the viola that is right for you.
Reply:http://www.chrisbsmusic.com/cremsva2viol...
check model above also
Reply:Also look at giardinelli.com - they have a no hassle return policy. A friend of mine ordered 4 violins - tried them all out then returned 3.
Reply:the looks of the viola is not nearly as important as the sound quality you really need to find a way to now which brand they both are then see if you can find some sound clips of people playing that brand but the sound does change which each viola if your just a beginner (which im quessing you are) its not quite important that you have a viola that you can take to college because as you progress you will need a better instrument
http://www.music123.com/Florea-Salonta-V...
http://www.music123.com/Strunal-Model-3-...
That's all I could find with an exceptionaly price. Thanks.
Help me choose a viola.?
Buying an instrument over the internet is a risky business. How well it looks has little effect on how good it sounds. I wouldn't buy one without a money-back garuntee, or better yet, a trial period where you can send it back if you don't like it. Stringworks has a trial period and fantastic instruments for the price. http://www.stringworks.com
Do you play? If you've never played one, you might want to consider renting one for a few months first. You can rent them online or at local music shops. That's a good idea, since you want to know what a decent viola should sound like and how it should handle before buying your own.
Reply:I would buy an instrument that I could not try out first. I am sure you have a local shop. Start there. They will be able to help you choose the viola that is right for you.
Reply:http://www.chrisbsmusic.com/cremsva2viol...
check model above also
Reply:Also look at giardinelli.com - they have a no hassle return policy. A friend of mine ordered 4 violins - tried them all out then returned 3.
Reply:the looks of the viola is not nearly as important as the sound quality you really need to find a way to now which brand they both are then see if you can find some sound clips of people playing that brand but the sound does change which each viola if your just a beginner (which im quessing you are) its not quite important that you have a viola that you can take to college because as you progress you will need a better instrument
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