hello,
i have been playing the violin since i was 10, and have enjoyed every moment of it. i play in a strings orchestra and still profer the violin over the viola, cello, and bass. its nice that you are learning how to play the violin, but if you r 2 excited 2 play the viola and try 2 ruch 2 it, you wont get wat being a violinist is all about. so my advice 2 u is learn how 2 play both, and rent both insruments, because a good quality instrument is very expensive, and if you deside that you dont like one you aren`t stuck with a very expensive instument. often times the violin gets the funnest parts of the music, and the viola is playing the harmony. but they are both very good insruments and i know a few violists that can play the violin music on there viola`s so u should think bout that.

sincerly a devoted violinist
samantha

I`m in the same situation as some of u. We are going to go to Monterrey,Mexico thiz summer and I`m gonna get either a violin or a viola. I play the flute and the piccolo( a little bit), but I want to try sumthin else that`s different. So what should I get? and what kind? I`m leanin more on viola, but kinda discouraged when there really izn`t any music 2 play, or iz there? What should it be: violin or viola????

i have played the viola since the 2nd grade; my parents did not want my sister and I competing so I was told to play the viola. I think that it is one of the most beautiful instruments, yet so underrepresented. Violas are the butt of orchestral jokes, but it is out of jealousy I have come to realize. Anyways, the viola is the best and I have witnessed many cross-overs/converts due to a better love for the violas` richness.

I have to admit...I`m quite taken with the sound of my viola...I`m not ready to give up on my violin, not by a long shot...but I think my preference is definately starting to lean toward the sound of the viola...

I have been playing viola since 4th grade(5 years) and I love it!!! I chose it because not many people play it, and the violin was too screechy for me.
And I know it was a while back, but someone said a violin sounded like a viola because it was in the lower register, well to me, a violist, a violin in the lower register sounds hollow and empty, as with a viola it is deep, dark and rich.
I am looking into buying, and I dont know what I am going to get, Im looking into a Rudolph Deutch(sp?) any other recomendations?

I adore Gligas.

Liz

...and I`ve been very happy with my Samuel Shen...

Hi Liz, and all,

Which viola by Gliga is suitable for a beginning student who would like to use it through to the final grade?

Gems or Gama would be best. having said that, I did grade 8 on a Poller which comares directly with a Genial 2.

Liz

Sorry, i missed the "beginner" bit. Gems in that case. Gama is way over the top for a beginner.

Liz

Violin is COOL!!! But viola is COOL as well, although cello and viola SUCK!!! I hate violin even more!!!!! I want to blow something up. Any sugestions????>??????...??

Well anyway I personally think you should choose the viola. Being a viola myself we actually are respected in the orchestra. Violas sometimes get solos and melodies and thats what cool about them cauz not many violas get those kind of things in an orchestra. We are respected also. Im 13 and 1st chair and im respected. There even ppl that are like 4th chair and they are still respected. So choose the viola and screw the violin!!

watch smallville tonite at 8 on the WB. ok. i prefer the viola cuz my cuzin plays it. SMALLVILLE KICKS ASS!!! LONG LIVE THE CLANA!!!

viola person ( the post before my last) is my cuzin, the cocky lil bastard. i love u man. he watches smallville so all of u should too, hes respected remember.

Hello,
Very interesting. I am considering renting a cello. I`ve played violin on and off for 20 years. About 4 years ago I bought a viola. I loved the deeper tone, and I noticed I had less tension in my playing. It seems the thicker strings eased the tension in both hands, especially the left. On the other hand it`s harder to play in the higer postions on the viola because of the size. I hear the cello is a way more natural instrument to play versus the violin or viola. I`m hoping when I try the cello out being it is held different and less awkward,I will have even less tension. Overall I love all the string instruments. Any thoughts??.