What instrument is the best to learn first? viola or violin if you play other instruments but no strings.
Are the stentor student 1 violins and violas ok? Is it worth getting new strings on them?
Thanks!
Full Version: To Learn Viola Or Violin First?
It doesn't really matter, you go for the one that you like best.
I'd say it's best to learn viola first because then you'll get into an orchestra quicker, and also you'll not have the trouble of learning the alto clef later on - you can learn it straight off.
I'd say it's best to learn viola first because then you'll get into an orchestra quicker, and also you'll not have the trouble of learning the alto clef later on - you can learn it straight off.
VIOLA! I love the viola, and yes it is worth getting it re-strung, and have a good look at it before you buy it, some Stentor I's are very dodgy.
I would like to start viola but can only afford a cheap student one. What strings though should I buy to put on. What 's the best? 
Learn viola first, it's so much better. And like Cheeble says, you will be needed in an orchestra.
Definitely viola! Everyone else has said what i would have said but yes viola 1st
jess
jess
Stentors go quite well with Helicores. They are adequate but, for the violin at least, you could do a lot better for the same price.
Most people go for violin first, but to be fair I didn't and I have never regretted learning viola first.
Liz
Most people go for violin first, but to be fair I didn't and I have never regretted learning viola first.
Liz
Wow guys! thanx! so many responses! I think I will go for viola if i can get a teacher! Any more advice about stentor student 1's would be appreciated, anyone had one or got one? any other student makes any good? I really hope to get one very soon so please write back!
Why do I feel that the "DO VIOLA FIRST" replies are a tad biased???!
I'm suspicious that there weren't any 'do violin first' replies.
I know the British are always up for the underdog, and the Viola always is 'second fiddle'.
Emotion aside (and I think that's what you'd prefer!), I don't think the answer is that straight-forward. You did say 'coming from other instruments'.
If its piano, then you've got treble and bass clefs sorted. If not.... depends on the instrument. But there's more than just clefs.
My wife went for her first (of 3 ever!) viola lessons, having never played any instrument before, and her professional tutor (plays both violin and viola) asked her this "Do you want to lead and play the major parts, or do you mind being in the background playing important but less noticable parts?". My wife answered "LEAD LEAD LEAD", and the tutor said 'then you don't want to play Viola!'
As for Stentors, we've got 2, and they are great for getting started on. Both were 2nd hand, one needed new strings, both needed new bridges (cheap!). They sound ok for beginners. Watch out for poor bows though - we got 2 bows with the 1/2 size, and one didn't have 10 bow-hairs! If kids are involved, you won't sleep easy with expensive instruments in their hands. Both stentors have been stood on, dropped, crawled on, bows abused, and they never even lose their tuning!! (OK one did when it was thrown across the room). But price is important, and if you pay £30 for a 2nd hand outfit, you won't worry too much. As skill develops, so does care I find, and my 6 yr old seems to know how to care for the violin now.
I've seen it posted on forums that you should get a decent instrument for beginners. I disagree - start off with a cheapie, don't worry about the price, work hard on improving, and reward yourself with a better instrument when progress is made. If you can get by on a cheap practice instrument, you'll do very well on a 'good' instrument.
I'm suspicious that there weren't any 'do violin first' replies.
I know the British are always up for the underdog, and the Viola always is 'second fiddle'.
Emotion aside (and I think that's what you'd prefer!), I don't think the answer is that straight-forward. You did say 'coming from other instruments'.
If its piano, then you've got treble and bass clefs sorted. If not.... depends on the instrument. But there's more than just clefs.
My wife went for her first (of 3 ever!) viola lessons, having never played any instrument before, and her professional tutor (plays both violin and viola) asked her this "Do you want to lead and play the major parts, or do you mind being in the background playing important but less noticable parts?". My wife answered "LEAD LEAD LEAD", and the tutor said 'then you don't want to play Viola!'
As for Stentors, we've got 2, and they are great for getting started on. Both were 2nd hand, one needed new strings, both needed new bridges (cheap!). They sound ok for beginners. Watch out for poor bows though - we got 2 bows with the 1/2 size, and one didn't have 10 bow-hairs! If kids are involved, you won't sleep easy with expensive instruments in their hands. Both stentors have been stood on, dropped, crawled on, bows abused, and they never even lose their tuning!! (OK one did when it was thrown across the room). But price is important, and if you pay £30 for a 2nd hand outfit, you won't worry too much. As skill develops, so does care I find, and my 6 yr old seems to know how to care for the violin now.
I've seen it posted on forums that you should get a decent instrument for beginners. I disagree - start off with a cheapie, don't worry about the price, work hard on improving, and reward yourself with a better instrument when progress is made. If you can get by on a cheap practice instrument, you'll do very well on a 'good' instrument.
Viola would be a better instrument to start to family of strings..
I regret so much because i learnt the violin and i'm always not in tune....
The viola can allow less rapid movements and more beautiful harmonies...
Which i loved...
I regret so much because i learnt the violin and i'm always not in tune....
The viola can allow less rapid movements and more beautiful harmonies...
Which i loved...
| QUOTE |
| Viola would be a better instrument to start to family of strings.. I regret so much because i learnt the violin and i'm always not in tune.... |
You can also not be in tune on the viola.....or the cello, or the double bass. Listening to your intonation, adjusting it and developing finger-spacing memory is what's required to play in tune. Takes a long time and lots of practice.
| QUOTE |
| The viola can allow less rapid movements and more beautiful harmonies... Which i loved... |
Hmmmmm, not true all of the time. In orchestral works the viola often has to fill in underneath the melody with a miriad of rapid notes - the last movement of Beethoven's 6th Symphony is just one example of where this happens.
I have a stentor 1 violin (pretty new!) and my teacher says it's good and stentors are much better made now than they ahve been in the past. It'd be easier to get into orchestras if I played the viola though!
I am a violinist, but would love to learn the viola as well cos i think the violin can go too high sometimes(E string!!!) and in that way i think the viola has a better sound cos it's lower (others might not agree with me but that's my opinion)
If you already play instruments which use the treble clef violin would be easier, cos with the viola you'd have to learn a new clef. Apart from that I wouldn't have thought either instrument is harder to play than the other one.
I have a stentor violin and it has a very nice sound, I don't think they're as bad as people think they are, cos I'm quite happy with it.
If you already play instruments which use the treble clef violin would be easier, cos with the viola you'd have to learn a new clef. Apart from that I wouldn't have thought either instrument is harder to play than the other one.
I have a stentor violin and it has a very nice sound, I don't think they're as bad as people think they are, cos I'm quite happy with it.
Both. The viola orchestra parts are sometimes a bit boring.
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