Has anyone out there converted from playing cello to viola. I think it`s a great instrument and much more portable . Can anyone help me here?
thanks!

Great Choice! I went straight to viola but I can tell you some tips. Viola is a very compatible, versatile instrument. Though I`m not sure how advanced you are in cello, the bow is slightly shorter, but longer than a violin bow. If you played bach suites on cello, it works perfectly on the viola, just shift ur fingers on the strings to another string! The viola has CGDA while violins have GDAE. I think cellos have EBFC. So viola is simply composed of 3 violin strings and 1 cello string! That`s what gives it a unique sound! I love the viola so much! I`m glad ur considering the change. It`s not only portable but you can go as high as a violin and still play cello pieces. Good luck. And welcome.

Thanks for the encouragement. THe Cello is actually CGDA and is one octave lower than the viola. How is it holding the left hand in the contorted sort of way? I`ve played cello for 3 years but was a former pianist and flutist. I am working in books 4 and 5 of the Suzuki method and am working on the Bach suites but they are difficult.
thanks again.

Yo yo Ma plays the viola as well as the cello. He also plays the vertical viola. That might be the easiest conversion for a cello player.