Advantages of Playing the Viola
In a Fark thread about a teacher hitting a viola student, Thuper Ranger described rather accurately what the audition process for most orchestras is when you’re a violist.
Thuper Ranger: May I be in your orchestra?
Conductor: Well, we have a long application procedure with 3 rehearsal trials. It usually takes about 2 weeks. What do you play?
Thuper Ranger: The viola.
Conductor: We meet every Tuesday. Here’s your music. Welcome to the team.
Having played the viola for a few years, I can confidently say he hit the nail on the head. In fact, violists are often so rare that bad violinists will be forced to play the instrument in order to fill the ranks, as a punishment by conductors. Also, bad violinists tend to run away to the viola section in order to escape being made obsolete.
I know I haven’t asked this before, but if there are any violists reading this I’d like to hear from you. How did you get started on the viola? What are some interesting observations you’ve made? Also, if you have any corny musical jokes (let’s face it: they all are), go ahead and share them here.
I started the viola about a year ago. I’m young and am in middle school so last year was my first year and I got tired with choir so I thought why not join orchestra. I wanted to play the violin at first because at the time I hadn’t heard of the viola. The director took my hands and said my you have large hands…I’m a girl haha. So she pointed me to the viola and I tried it and fell in love with it. I hate how violins are so common and there is little acknowledgments for the viola but, you learn to live with it. Plus, I realize that I really hate how high the violin is and the viola is perfect for me….yep. Go violas hahaha
I was in 5th grade and i didnt know what to pick violin or viola. I was gonna pick violin but then I herd the E string and i was never mind. So when i herd the viola I loved it so much. But when the year passed on I started to notice that in my music for the concerts where kinda boring. So i told my teacher why is the music is so boring and he said because the violins get the melody. So then the next sheet music came in and violins sill get the melody then more music came in and violins still get melody. I got so mad i felt like quitting viola. But then I decieded to stay in because the viola makes a beatufil sound but it takes time to show it. But by the end of the year i found out how to play violin and viola but my main instrument is viola.