Hi everyone,

My fiance and I thought it would be neat to both try and learn to play an instruments together. We originally planned on learning to play violin together, but she recently decided she likes the sound of the viola better (and I would still prefer the violin)

So we were wondering how similiar they would actually be as far as learning to play them would go. (We also need to refresh on reading music and theory. She played a french horn in highschool and I play guitar/bass/banjo/drums. But I only learned to read music for guitar, when i first started in 8th grade, then my teacher moved and I stopped learning to read.)

Also, we really don't know anything about viola/violin makers. We're on a budget, so we're probably looking for something that will let us learn the basics so we can decide if we want to continue. But, dont't want something that would hinder us due to the lack of quality of the instrument itself.

Any recommendation on beginner brands (or stores, nationally or in Washington state area)would be greatly appreciated. (hoping to find something under $200 each on them if possible.

And lastly, any beginner books or courses you would recommend?

We're both in our early twnties

Thank you very much for any and all help.

Well, the fingering is essentially the same except that the viola involves greater stretches. The normal span is a perfect fourth per string in one position, covering six chromatic pitches, which means that the inner fingers are assigned to different places in different keys and have to cover two places successively when playing chromatic scales. The range of the viola is relatively smaller than that of the violin because, unlike on the cello and the bass, the thumb on the violin and viola never comes out from behind.

The instruments have three strings in common: G, D, and A. The violin has an additional E string a perfect fifth above the A, and the viola has an additional C string a perfect fifth below the G.

The instruments use different clefs. The violin uses only the treble clef, the clef you learned when you studied guitar. The viola uses the alto clef except for its highest notes, when it changes to the treble clef. Your wife learned to read treble clef (and possibly bass clef as well) when she studied the horn.

After a little shopping around I'm considering the brand Florea.

http://www.wwbw.com/Violas-c61+4294900579+5.music

http://www.wwbw.com/Florea-Persoana-Violin-Outfit-i143713.music

As of now I haven't been able to find many reviews for the violas but the violin reviews have been fairly positive 4-5 out of 5 stars. Has anyone tried this brand? Is it decent?

Don't go by Internet "reviews" (for this or for anything else). Investigate the possibilty of renting instruments from a local music store until you're ready to commit yourselves.

I got my hands on my grandfathers old violin. The only writing i could find could be seen through the left f hole. it says
"Copy of
Antonius Stradivarius
Faciebat Cremona 1713
Made in western Germany."

It seems to be in fairly good shape. It looks like the tailpiece needs a couple fine tuners. (only two on there are for the two higher strings.)

Anyone have any information from the info there?

Thanks again.

Not specifically. My maternal grandfather's violin (passed to my mother then to my sister then to my brother-in-law) also says "Stradivarius". I have the impression that Stradivarius copies are (or were) very common.

I doubt it's literally "missing" any fine tuners. Some string players like to use fine tuners and some don't. Anyway, a complete set can be easily had. If this violin has been effectively passed to you, I'd say take it in (to a music shop or a reputable solo repair person) and have it looked over; chances are this can be your first instrument.

i think the stradi would be ok. i have one in the cupboard and the only reason i don't play it is because its too small. as long as it sounds alright when you start out it doesn't really matter what the violin is for a beginner. as long as you can bear it it will be fine. when you decide to be serious then start thinking about better quality. suzuki books are good for beginners who can't read music, it has the finger number above the notes, so having learnt guitar it will probably be good for you. i think you can get viola books the same too. i recommend finding a teacher to show you basics. no matter how bad or good your reading and theory skills are this means nothing if your posture is crap. bad posture=bad sound. and the worse the sound gets the less you want to play it.
have a go! the viola and violin would sound great together!

hi i got a new volin and it was second hand and it was in really good conidition so i should sugest you find a second hand one
and also go for a music book that starts right from the beigning so you can learn all the notes and figering at youtr own pace

suzuki books are good for beginners who can't read music, it has the finger number above the notes, so having learnt guitar it will probably be good for you.

Finger numbers won't do you much good if you don't know where to put them. Too bad he didn't play the mandolin; violin and mandolin fingering are very similar. Guitar fingering is more like cello fingering except that the cello is tuned in fifths instead of fourths.

i recommend finding a teacher to show you basics.

This is good advice.

the viola and violin would sound great together!

Unless they're played in unison. Two violins in unison is also a no-no. (Three is fine.)