Re: "Yes, I learned that about fourth position in the brief time I played cello."

I`m indirectly asking if this might apply to the viola as well. In what order do violists usually learn positions?

Don`t you PLAY viola, Scotch?

If yes, then:
a) Great! It`s wonderful to have another violist in the world!

If no, then:
a) You sick rotten bastard! You`re a liar, damn you!
b) What instrument do you play?

"In what order do violists usually learn positions?"

1st, 3rd, 5th, the rest as required by the music you play.

Re: "If no, then:
a) You sick rotten bastard! You`re a liar, damn you!
b) What instrument do you play?"

I have never said or suggested that I play viola. I am especially interested in the viola (and many other instruments besides) because I compose. My main instrument is the piano. I also play guitar (classical, jazz, and rock, which is to say, both electric guitar and nylon-string acoustic guitar--I happen to hate the steel-string acoustic guitar and consider it superfluous), cello, electric bass guitar, and I dabble with the cornet. I used to play soprano and alto recorders, and diatonic and chromatic harmonicas much more often than I do now.

I once practised the violin every day for a week, and would have gone longer and also with viola (at a different time) if circumstances allowed.

Wow that`s weird... when I was reading the word "soprano" I saw a little upside-down gun instead of an "r"... Maybe I`ve been watching too much HBO... Which would be funny seeing as how I don`t have HBO...

But seriously, Scotch, that`s awesome! I`ve been playing viola for five years now. I`m a self-taught pianist, and I played flute (once upon a time) for two years. My biggest musical outlet comes from composing, which I love to do. I am, however, looking to get more serious with my compositions. I composer mainly for piano, but also for string quartet, piano duo & trio, and mixed ensembles. You?

I have a master`s in music theory, a B.A. and A.A. in music, and an Advanced Computer Programming Certificate. I`ve published a method book and two compositions, one of which has also been commercially recorded, and I`ve done arrangements for hire. The bulk of my music is unpublished, but most of it has been publicly performed. I used to make my living playing keyboards in rock and jazz groups, and now I teach piano and guitar and accompany (on piano) university dance classes.

I played cello in school orchestra third grade to ninth grade, studying privately briefly in ninth grade (which is also when I took up the guitar). Then I quit the cello altogether until a little more than five years ago, approximately two of which have been spent studying with private teachers and three playing with an amateur orchestra. I`ve been composing since fifth grade.

Ok, the easiest positions are first and third. You usually play in first, except for high notes or harmonics. For third position, move your index finger onto the third finger placement (If it were A string, move your index finger from B to D) then it will go, D, E(Hole step) F (Half Step) G (Hole step) etc. Or E(b) it's D, E(b)(Half step) F# (Hole Step) G (Half Step)