r/Viola

I'm going into the senior year of my viola performance program and am seeking some recommendations on repertoire to program for the recital. The requirements I've been given are a minimum of 60 min of music and a minimum of three compositions from contrasting musical eras. So far, the only pieces I've decided on are Schubert's Arpeggione Sonata, Kriesler's Praeludium and Allegro arr. Alan Arnold, and Ricard Lamote de Grignon's Scherzino.

If it's helpful, my most recent recital program was JS Bach's Suite 2 in D minor, Grant-Still's Carmela and Bambalele e Espin Garda, and Bruch's Romanze.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated!

So, like the title says, I'm trying to practice 3-octave scales starting on G-string Notes (G, A-flat, A, B-flat, B). My teacher (who was really a Violinist that doubled to teaching Viola just to make money) insists on keeping my thumb on the neck heel. My fingers can't really reach that far, even when holding the Viola angled up (my teacher suggested I do it that way). I just can't seem to press the strings hard enough to make the note sound good in that range. I play on a Tertis Replica, one of the mid-range violas of the particular shop. Not a Fine Viola, but not a beginner/intermediate viola either.

What are some resources I can refer to about this?

Hello! I’m looking for some solo repertoire to learn to have to play for concerts (at school) and possibly for later auditions for uni/conservatoire or just for fun. Any completely solo or with accompaniment recommendations would be much appreciated. If there are any concertos that may be possible for me to learn I would also appreciate. Thank you :)

i just started college this year and it got me thinking "whats the essential repertoire every violist should learn?", like stamitz concerto, bartok, walton, hoffmeister, bachs suites, arpeggione sonata, brahms sonatas, max bruchs romance, hindemith, etc

i want to start working on it over the next few years. what do you guys think?

Any tips for practicing with a straight bow. I tend to be very crooked especially on string crossings. I look at myself in a mirror (my reverse camera) but I tend to still go crooked. Any exercises or techniques to help out with this would be greatly appreciated.

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Performance vs. Teaching?

TL;DR shall I focus on performance or teaching?

I am 31, already getting paid as a contract player in a mid-level group, no music degree, day job, married 9 years.

1. teach

Pro:

\\- money

\\- hubby participates in building business

\\- opportunity to be nice to children and the elderly

\\- Low hour commitment per week

\\- resilient to any major health upsets

Cons:

\\- Never get full potential in

\\- Possibly miss out on gigs and performance opportunities due to sucking at my instrument

\\- less interesting

2. Performance-focused practice

Pros:

\\- see if I can get into better group (e.g. salaried)

\\- possible some money from gigs

\\- play exciting repertoire

\\- I won't suck at my instrument

\\- it is my passion, happiest times in my life have been performing

Cons:

\\- huge daily hours-long commitment ... Hubby might be :(

\\- cost for actual lessons with a real teacher

\\- if I have kids in like 2 years or something I must stop practicing enough to progress meaningfully ... so will all the effort be worth it

\\- burnout

Hi. Does anyone happen to know about the caliber of the viola program at Northwestern? I know that Bienen is a very established music school but I’m curious on how the viola program there compares and competes with the other well known music schools and conservatories, as well as how the job turnout is there.

Hi everyone,

I would like to get a better bow - my budget is 1.5-3k (CHF/USD). My current bow was around 1k, but my 2.5k violin bow is so much better that I am always frustrated with my viola bow. Also, I had the bow before I had the viola, and I don't think it brings out the best sound... I already tried some bows at several luthiers, but they always have only 5 viola bows in that price range in stock, and nothing convinced me.

I heard that in that price range, there are very good carbon fiber bows. However, most luthiers don't offer them - they only sell wooden bows... However, I cannot just order 10 bows and send back 9 for that money!

Is there a place where I can try many different carbon fibre bows?

And do you have recommendations on brands/models?

I play a small nice advanced amateur viola, if that matters for your advice :)

Thanks!

I’ve found myself repetitively practicing the opening section to the piece i’m learning and not moving on to even the second page. Don’t get me wrong, the opening is now much better than it was but still isn’t at a point where I can play it perfect every time, hence why I continue to practice it. And i’m sure that since i’m still growing as a musician, my practice methods and habits may be the reason progressing feels slow. So I guess my question is when you’re learning something new, breaking it into sections, how good does a section have to be before practicing a different section? I feel odd playing something imperfectly and then moving on.

I have been playing for nearly three years, and am curious if anyone can give me some suggestions of what I should try to play.

posted here ages ago about 3D printing a viola, since the beater options in my area were not apealling to me. A few months later, I have a glow-in-the-dark viola! It's a little quieter than a standard, and the strings are a smidge closer together, but it works great for what I needed.

original post: https://www.reddit.com/r/Viola/comments/1p3ypfq/seeking_advice_on_3d_printing_a_viola/

Link to the designer's site https://openfabpdx.com/modular-fiddle/

https://preview.redd.it/293m2jjybcah1.jpg?width=2160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ccccce81200e4a26496c3dd5edea9359d362224f

https://preview.redd.it/5a06kp59ccah1.jpg?width=1215&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6bdaa6b87d372b7e5d4b347359cfbd675d697c33