Hi,

I have recently taken up the violin again, (i was abouts to do my grade 4 when I quite due to needing a break) and I have been interested in the viola.

I feel that is is more to my personality. The violin is fine and all, but it is too chirpy and jolly for me, and I want something more sollom.

So, what I want to ask is will I be ok with it. I am hoping to begin Viola nearer Christmas time, or sooner when I ask my parents he he he.

If you have any nice Viola solo songs, can you give me the URL to the site so that I can listen to them.

Many thanks.

P.s. what size viola would I need. I currently play a full size violin, and i am quite tall. Also, if you can reccommend me some beginner prices for a viola. I have been checking out some local music shops and the best I have found is £120.00

If you have any other better shops, which are in the UK, can you please give me a link.

If you already play violin, then you will be disappointed with a beginner viola. Be prepared to spend better than 400 or 500 guineas.

I play the violin and I tried out some real cheapies ($250) and they were pretty dreadful. But they were chinese and in a general music shop--not a strings shop.

I bought an instrument & kit for $850 and it worked out really nicely--having tried a bunch up to $2000. I also made sure to try out bows & got a good one which sounded and worked well on the instrument.

It won`t be fun if the set-up is bad, if it sounds lousy and does not respond well. You get what you pay for. If you have to sell your violin to buy the viola, then that is better than buying a junker in my opinion.

Regards,


Bill

Generally 15" is the smallest that a true viola can be, and generally more than that. It is common to find them played professionally in the range from 15.5 or so up to 17+ inches (39.4 - 43+cm). this is the body length not including the little nub where the neck joins, but including the very edge past the purfling. (A violin is usually 14"/ 35.6cm for comparison).

The string length may be just as important to you: a really long neck can mean that 4th finger is a stretch--if you have small hands. But with big hands you need not worry. String lengths violin 13" / 33 cm, 16" viola is about 14.5" / 36.8cm +/- and 15" to 15.3" with 16.5" and larger instruments.

Well the violin I have now is the second one I got, which cost about £160, or was it £180, I can`t remember. I will not get a new violin for quite a bit as I like this one alot, and I am not really a pro. The first violin I got was about £60.

Anywho, I have found a nice beginner`s kit for £95 on eBay - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16225&item=7319504438&rd=1

I have quite big hands, which proves somewhat difficult for me on my violin when I am playing, and I am hoping that a viola will sort this out.

I will probably get a 15" viola, as I feel that a 14" will be too small and a 16" viola to big.

p.p.s - I don`t want to give up my violin, as this was the first instrument I learnt, and I want to keep at it.

...by all means do both! Most famous violists started by playing the violin...

...I did the same thing...I play violin at the Grade 4-5 level...and I can play my viola (purchased a year ago) almost as well...except I`m still to slow at reading the C clef...

...I play 2nd violin in my community orchestra...and when my clef reading improves, plan on joining another group as a violist...

...I have a very nice intermediate violin...and purchased an advanced beginner viola ($1000 US)...it`s more than good enough for my playing level...don`t make the mistake of getting too poor an instrument...

...good luck! And have fun!

...btw...I have a 16" viola, apparently it`s the min. sized viola to actually sound like what a viola should...

...having said that...if you`re too small to play a 16", play a smaller one, but keep in mind sound quality might be affected...

Yeh if you are tall, 15" will be too small.

IMO if you are serious, there is no point getting a really cheap instrument. Go into some shops - try some out, see what you think. Which part of the UK are you from? Around London, some good shops are Guiviers off Oxford Street if you are looking at £1000+, alternatively Strings in Beaconsfield (North of london), Ealing Strings (in the west) um who else that`s probably about it for good shops.

Btw whoever said `guineas` - they haven`t existed for at least 100 years :D. Pounds is the currency in the UK - about US $1.90 to the UK £1. lol.

PS also if you get a viola that is too small, then there is a possibility that you will get it confused with the violin. 15" for a viola is pretty tiny - if you think about it a full size violin is 14"! Definately try out some different sizes. As a guide, your hand should be able to reach at least partially around the scroll.

Hi Tom,

"Bucks" and "pennies" don`t exist either (in US)--nor do "quid" (in UK) yet we use them all the time---slang :-)

Violins and violas are historical instruments and very proper and artistic--what better way to pay for them than with guineas?

Best regards,

Bill

Well, after much thought, I am going to wait for a bit until I get my viola.

Like you said, I am going to go into some shops and try them out.

Thanks for all your help though, it has changed my mind.

Fair enough.

Lol like your reasoning Mr Bill (that`s what people seem to call you)

Get a Gliga. They beat any other violas anywhere near the price hands down.

As for the one you mentioned on ebay, two problems. First £15 postage which is rather over the top and makes a total of £110 for a cheap Chinese instrument of unknown quality

The bigger problem though is the number of negs and neutrals this seller has. It is actually quite hard to get a neg selling musical instruments and I wouldn`t touch anyone with less than 99.9% INCLUDING the neutrals.

Liz

Yes, I`m with Elizabeth on this one. I did`nt get a Gliga, however - I got a Genial 1 (College student = no money). They have great service! Great choice in wanting to play viola - we are sought after, for the most part :-)