Hey. I just started the viola. I never thought I`d ever play a stringed instrument. I play piano, clarinet, tenor sax, bassoon and trumpet. My teacher admits I`m better than him on the clarinet (my personal best) and we were dying for violas in my symphony class. He came up to me after class and asked me to play viola. Still in the advanced symphony... so... I`m learning as quick as possible. I do have to say I love the tone quality a viola can give you. I like the viola for the same reasons I like the clarinet. They can both reach beautiful low notes, have great vibrato and still acheive higher notes. My love for violas grows everyday. I used to look down on all stringed instruments sadly. Now playing one I have great respect for the players. With stings you have to be gentle where as... im used to being a little harsh and biting down on my instruments. I have to applaud you all and tell you how wonderful you all are even if you are underappreciated. Next time a fellow band member makes fun of a string instrument, I advise you to let them try it. It took me to try it before I really appreciated the viola. I think it would be a great idea if you would help the others understand what I have found out.
Thanx,
Deb

Hey, If any of you want to talk to me I`m on msn messenger, aim, and yahoo. I`m on there quite often when im not practicing an instrument in marching band or at school. My msn messenger is worriedpup@hotmail.com (you can email me there as well) Aim is FielDaisy and last is yahoo - Demonic_shadow_child
Feel free to gimme an I/M I love talking to fellow musicians

VIOLINISTS!! yes...violinists. They give the violists a bad name. I know this because my mother is a professional musician who happens to pick up stuff like this and pass it on. Here`s what happens..
Violinists try out for high school or other renowned orchestras in the area for the youth. Because of the Abundance of violins and the shortage of violas, most of the applicants for violin are turned down point-blank. Violas, however, are MUCH harder to come by, and therefore have a `respected` place in the orchestra. Or at least, they did until all the violinists who`d been turned down became bad violists. That is why viola jokes are so common, and it`s also why viola parts tend to be easier...cuz of the mean old transferrants
~Em~

I am completely in love with my viola! I`ve even named her. "Lady Viola" I only wish I could afford a new one, so I could have more than one!

I have a crappy factory made viola. I want a handmade one, but they cost too much. If anyone has one for sale at a reasonable price, reply at this thread.

Stevo darling, any instrument (even a factory made one) has the ability to sound beautiful. You just need to love and care for your viola and give it lots of attention.

Hi. My name´s Matilda.. I´m in 9th grade and last friday I found a note on the classroom door with the list of the people who are suposed to play in the orchstra. I found my one name under the viola seccion.. (I´m a violinist) and found it very odd but, obedient as I am, I got a viola and went to the first repetition the monday that folowed. I believe it´s faith that my name happend to be with the violas cause now I´m really into learning (by myself cause I haven´t got a teacher)so if any of you have a piece you recomend please answer to this. ( you can write to my e-mail cause I´ll probably lose this adress (the webbsite) and never find it again..

No Violas??!! Our orchestra has way too many.

Topper, darling... you can NEVER have too many violas.

Hi! VIOLA ROCK$!! I dunno why not that many people play it but i am 11 and i play in my school orchestra. Theres about 6 of us and 30 violins! It sux! violas rock better then violins!

mm.. violas... truly amazing instruments... i mean, not as cool as a bassoon (haha i play bassoon, what a coincidence) but the viola really does make a beautiful sound... i mean, at least better than a violin... i was talking to my friend, who happens to be a viloinist, and i was explaining to him why i hate the violin so much... haha... it`s just too squeaky... the viola sounds richer... and iunno, warmer? if i would rank string instruemtns, it`d be: viola, cello, double-bass, and then the stupid violin... haha...

THREE CHEERS FOR THE VIOLA!
HIP HIP HURRAY! HIP HIP HURRAY! HIP HIP HURRAY! haha... bassoons still rock tho...

actually, if i didn`t get a chance to play the bassoon in my lifetime, i would play the oboe, and then my third choice was viola...

well, basoons are pretty cool... but I have to challenge that they are the best instruments...

Can viola`s really rock? There are violins in rock groups... I want to be the first violist to ever play in a rock band! (Like that`ll ever happen)

I`ve been playing viola half my life, and surfing the web since the early `90s. I`ve always been disappointed by the low "viola signal to noise ratio" out there. By that, I mean the number of positive viola affirmative sentiments versus the overabundant and repetitive bad viola jokes and worn-out clichés. Don`t get me wrong, there are some great viola sites, but it just seems that all too often, someone new gets the idea that it`s terribly original and hilarious to diss violists. (Yawn!)

So I`ve decided to do something about it. The originator of this long thread asked "Where`s the viola pride?" Well, if you go to http://viola.geargems.com you will find loads of it on hand, suitable for violists of all ages! And since I am determined to keep adding to it and increasing the quality, I`ll be happy to listen to ideas and suggestions from my fellow violists. Thanks!

Hey. Im a violist and im currently working on the Telemann Viola Concerto In g major. Im 13 years old and attend the YAO (young artists orchestra) you can contact me on aim. My screen name is J a k e O r c h Ivew been playing the viola since 4th grade.. Im currently in the 8th

I`m learning the viola! It`s awesome. I don`t understand why not many people play it. Everybody just likes the violin because there are more parts to it.