i play the violin. but if you really like to play the three... id go for viola because it has the characteristics and sounds of the violin and cello.... so your really in between... then if you dont like it anymore... you can choose to play the upper strings or lower strings... cello or viola

like many before me in this post have stated you got to foolow you heart to choose. i have played violin, viola, and bass, the last of these i would never suggest unless you have use hands Im 6`2 so not a problem i can play it like a gutiar.

In my humble opinion the viola has a sound that will outdo a violin hands down if played by 2 equally skilled musicians. but that is my own opinion. follow your heart.

i play the violin and the viola, and i find it quite tricky to switch between them because of the subtle differences, e.g. where you hold near the scroll you hold slightly differently on the viola because it is so much heavier, the amount of pressure you need to apply to make a loud sound on the viola, the need for slower vibrato on the lower strings of the viola. obviously it is simple to begin with once you get used to the different finger spacing etc., but i do find it difficult going back to the violin after having done a lot of orchestral viola playing. maybe that`s just me...

How can you tell the difference between a violin and a viola?
I had one given to me and I want to know what I have.Thank you,Todd.

Violas at full size compared to a violin at full size throws the differences into sharp relief. The viola is larger and it is tuned one fifth lower. this is what the strings look like:

A----------------------
D----------------------
G----------------------
C----------------------

These are the violin`s string names:
E----------------------
A----------------------
D----------------------
G----------------------

As you can see(if you understand that) the violin is higher by one fifth. Violas are better though, in my opinion anyway. I like it because of its more mellow sound, but the real reason I started playing it (4 years) was because I`d never heard of it before. Stupid reason I no, but it ended up being a good choice in the end. Remember, violas own the violins......punk, lol. jk. Hope that helps Bye!

Are there any Viola CDs out there? They are mostly violin pieces. Any good recommendations of gooa albums? Who are some famous violists?

Dunno. However, there is this really cool CD called Celtic Dance, and the violin player usually plays pretty low and it really sounds like a viola. If you see it, buy it, especially if you`re into Celtic music. The CD is awesome.

Thanks Josh!

It seems like Viola power by Patricia Pollett is rather good. An Australian Violist.

I think there shud b a lot more viola players.in my skool we hav 28 violin players(including me) and only 2 viola players!so cum on every1 start playing violas coz we need u!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bet that`s no fun. Two violas to 28? that`s just not fair man.

r there any audio examples of viola music online? or does any one of u have an audio archive online storing viola music that u play?

go to viola.com and u can hear a clip.. i hope to eventually get my recordings of my songs online ... i play from suzuki book 3

oh cool! looking forward to hearing yours!

well i think you should learn the violin.... because i find it can show alot more emotion then a cello, and it has a distinctive sound.... i like the sound of it better then the cello too..... but the cello is a great instrument too... but id choose violin over it

The sounds of the violin, viola, cello are amazing. I`ve always wanted to play the violin and I deeply admire anyone who can play. Never had the encouragement, time or money to learn. I don`t know how to read music and I don`t play any other instruments. Can I do this at my age?(39) What kind of violin should I start with and how many times a week should I have lessons? Anything else I should know?

Thanks...
Tilly