r/Viola

This might be an odd one, but: I had a dentists visit and we were talking about the viola etc. and she asked, if I have my teeth closed together when playing or if there is space between them (since apparently the teeth should be touching only while eating and not otherwise) - I realized I never actively thought about it while playing, but I believe I have them closed.

So, what is your situation? Are they apart or touching; and if they are apart - do you close them when doing shifts down and helping yourself with the chin a bit?

Disclaimer: I had some bad jaw clenching habits when playing from childhood that I’m working on, so the result isn’t completely natural to me 😅

What do you think of it? Can a scherzo be in 12/8?

I'm a middle-aged hobbyist looking to purchase an instrument. I've been taking lessons on what I would call a serviceable rental, but I want more tonal character, resonance, and sustain. I'm unsure which "class" of viola I should pursue, though. It seems that different shops/websites categorize their instruments differently. Some have "student" instruments as anything under $5K or $10K, some have "student" instruments as anything under ~$800 and then jump up to intermediate/advanced in the $1K-$3K range. Some distinguish between 'advanced' and 'professional', but what does that mean? An 'advanced student'? Or just an excellent player but one that just isn't playing professionally or as a soloist?

With the understanding that a) each viola will be unique, they all vary as individuals, and I'll need to try as many instruments as I can, b) I'll be getting my teacher's opinion as I go along, c) I'll need to budget separately for a bow, and d) I'm a hobbyist who plays for fun, mostly by myself, and at most may someday play in a chamber or community orchestra, what general price range should I be targeting for a "forever" instrument? I'd like to find something I can grow into and that will maintain its value over time; I don't love the idea of continually needing to upgrade instruments.

For context, the first shop I visited had me try a dozen instruments or so in the $1,500 - $1,800 range, all modern Chinese instruments (I'm not sure they had anything pricier in my size). I have a couple at home on trial. But from my reading I'm not sure if these would still be considered "beginner" or "student grade" instruments, and I want to make sure I'm targeting instruments that I could keep indefinitely and that I won't end up outgrowing in a few year's time.

Going string by string, what string brands seem to have the WARMEST sound while still projecting decently? I’m going to the shop tomorrow. After some research, my current plan is:

Larsen A
Obligatos D and G
Spirocore Tungsten C

Hi everyone! I need to select something to play on a mixed program coming up. I play in an opera orchestra, and we do summer concerts with the chorus singers to advertise next season. Of course I can always do some Bach, but I was hoping to find something from opera or based on opera, short, and relatively easy so I don't have to spend too many hours preparing it. Can be viola solo or with piano accompaniment. I've looked at all the Carmen Fantasies but I don't really want to practice that much, lol. Thanks in advance for all your ideas!!

This might be more of a rant than anything but i'll try to keep it short!

I (F24) played viola for a few years in middle school, but had to quit before I could really go anywhere with it. About 3 years ago I decided to pick it back up again now that I'm able to dedicate the time to it. I knew as an adult beginner I wouldn't have the typical experience with auditions, conservatories, orchestras, etc. My instructor is amazing though and I'm happy with the progress I've made!! I've found a lot of the information here helpful as well :)

I've been playing on a $200 "instrument" though, it was all I could afford at the time and really just wanted to get my foot through the door (We literally have zero string shops where I live, so nowhere I could walk in and trial good quality violas. It was that one or nothing).

Recently I finally upgraded to a proper student viola because the terrible sound/craft/everything quality was starting to make it unplayable. And I was excited to even rent a $2,000 instrument online to last me the next few years but now i kind of feel dread and anxiety lol. I get that's not a lot of money in this hobby but it's a lot of money for someone from my financial background and it's daunting. I mean, after 3 years I'm only now getting to the end of Suzuki 1 and I can't say with certainty there's a single song I can play confidently, without messing up. I don't know any classical repertoire either.

It just sort of feels like I haven't "earned" this yet? I would even hesitate to go into a shop and try out violas for fear of how clumsy I sound right now. The thought of upgrading again in a few years terrifies me, as I'd be going into a price range where you really do need to trial and play the instruments before renting one. I have no intention of trying to make a career out of this, maybe something amateur or volunteer, but I know I'm well past the cutoff for professional, so I don't know why I care so much!

In other words..... how do I get over myself and just commit to practicing with the damn thing?! I don't want my own anxieties to get in the way of making progress with a better instrument.

I’m looking for recommendations for high fidelity earplugs for an orchestral string player who often sits near brass instruments.

I’m interested in what professional orchestral musicians actually use for rehearsals and performances.

I’ve been looking at a few options, including Dynamic Ear Filter, Eargasm High Fidelity, Sennheiser SoundProtex Plus and Loop Switch 2, but I’m having a hard time deciding.

Which models have you tried and would recommend? I’d really appreciate real musician experiences.

Also, do you prefer adjustable filters or a fixed attenuation level for orchestral playing?

I'm looking to buy them as a gift

I'm in an equivalent grade six viola student, and I would like to know if you have tips about how to practice the arpeggione sonata and how to improve musicality, because everyone tells me that I have none and sometimes out of nowhere I have it and i don't know how to work to have more.

Hi all!

Looking for a new viola in the £2k-2.5k and these keep coming up. Haven’t seen any in person yet, but wanted to know what people thought and if it was worth digging any deeper into this range.

Cheers 😊

Hello,

I'll be trying out some bows tomorrow and was wondering if anyone had good experiences/ ideas for "test drive" material. Will be bringing my own instrument of course.

I know the bow should sound good across all ranges / should jump when I want it to/ produce good overtones, etc but in the moment in the shop sometimes I blank out on what to use as testing material.

What method have you used to test out bows in the past? :)

Would appreciate your ideas :)

Ps- am professional, looking around ~5kusd area if that helps ;)

Just a rant ( long )

I picked up playing the viola randomly when I was younger, during 5th grade. They were showcasing choir, band, and orchestra at my school. Orchestra caught my attention because the teacher had such a funny looking face while playing. So I joined. I picked viola mostly because I thought the violin was overrated but didnt want anything to heavy. I kept going till covid hit.

I missed out on my 7th and 8th grade Orchestra. For 9th grade I was able to return. I joined this camp thing Orchestra was doing, made me realize I really did want to keep doing it. I struggle with putting emotion into it a lot but, thats mostly because I was scared, of what? Im honestly still not sure.

From 9th all the way up to 12th grade I was becoming better. However, the viola i was using was not mine. I have a deep affection for music and art in general, i really love when people combine their skills with emotion, just amazing. I wanted to be like that too. I tried getting a job during junior year, didnt work out, same with senior year.

My parents have little money, I couldn't just ask them, thatd be too greedy. I graduated without having an instrument of my own. I got a job for a little bit but had to quit because the schedule for college I got was ass and it wasn't going to work. At the moment, I am agonizing and in deep sadness. I want it back. From the job I had for a little bit, the money wouldn't even cover a little bit.

My dad ended up passing away in January, so I had to put everything aside. He was my biggest help in many ways. Ill miss him. And now with him gone, I cant dwel on this damn instrument anymore, I need to pay bills but secure a part time first. Its so hard, I just want to feel good again.

Seeing edits about music or orchestras on social media make me so sad and I cant help but cry. Didnt realize how much I actually liked playing the damn thing. Named her milk too.

I just heard my viola professor at sfcm Dimitri Murrath is leaving and I just don’t know what the school is going to do to hire a new viola teacher.

Anyone have ideas of violists looking for a professor position? The school NEEDS a full time viola teacher to keep up with all the cellists there.

I am between two instruments right now and I can’t really decide which one. Can you guys help me listen and provide inputs please🙏 Videos in comments