I got a new viola today, it is LOVELY! I have never found it so easy to play the viola. It was made in Germany, circa 1880, can't remember the name of the maker. I love it to pieces. I'm sooo happy!

Wow, how exciting! It sounds great. Enjoy! (and just in time for your exam too!)

How did you choose it in the end? Did you keep your existing bow or get a new one?

I chose it because I loved the tone, it was one of the few instruments that was 15 and 3/8, loved the way it looked. I've kept my bow, but I'm saving up for a new bow, which I'll hopefully get next year!

Great stuff !

Is Viola easy to play then ?

I play piano and violin and I'm not sure how I would get on reading the alto clef. But I have always fancied having a go.

Fiona

Oh wow Isabel that's great! Hope you enjoy playing it!
Fiona the viola has the same technique as the violin and the alto clef isn't hard to learn to read. Why don't you give it a go?

Thanks Rainbow.

I might just do that !

I thought it would be tha same as violin - I just wasn't sure about reading the clef.

Is it easy enough to read when you are used to treble and bass ?
Do any of you read other clefs too ?

Fiona

Sorry. Not read the statements in blue at the bottom of everyones posts until I'd posted the last one !

Obviously, you do read other clefs !

Fiona

It does cause a slight difficulty in that I read bass clef as alto clef accidentally but I think I'm 'growing out' of it (thank god!) and it's never been a serious problem. My viola teacher said that for teenagers, the average time taken to learn the alto clef thoroughly was a fortnight and then you would be the same standard on viola as you are on violin.
Good luck!

Wahey! i bet its great have fun playin it!!
jess

Thanks Rainbow.

Maybe I should make some flashcards in Alto clef to get used to reading.

Thanks for your advice.

Happy playing on your new viola !

Fiona