viola help?

Question

I just started playing the viola and I loved it.In the past I've picked many instruments and quit in just in a matter of days.I was wondering does any one have any tips on any thing like positioning or be a better viola player or just in general .thanks

Answer 1

That's wonderful! Too often the orchestra is full of violinists, but really short on violists!

I'm a violnist, but my greatest teacher was a violist - If you can find it, the Raymond Montoni portable string clinic book is about the best you can read. Of course, I'm biased.

OK but try this, get in the best physical shape you can. Swimming and yoga are great for strength and flexibility. Eat right. Don't smoke. Drink water. Get rest. - yeah, mom is right.

For positioning, hold your viola with your chin and shoulder. let your left arm hang free. Walk around the room like this. with a bit of practice you'll be able to do this. Now your arm is free to move all over the instrument - in all kinds of positions. Not bad, eh?

bring your arm up to your viola. POint your elbow towards your belly button. Keep your wrist straight - and keep holding the viola with your chin - not your hand.

You'll be amazed at how much easier the viola is to play once you give up trying to hold it with your arm.

Answer 2

Very cool. Forget 3 and 4 octave scales, first of all YOU ARE A BEGINNER, and that advice is crazy! I have been playing for 23 years, and love it. Start by getting a viola teacher, not a violinist who teaches viola. They are out there, but may be few and far between. There is some amazing music out there...try VIOLA and PIANO, it's a book of early classical music that is arranged for viola. Also, once you are ready, the Wohlfahrt Foundation Studies - FIscher Edition is a great place to look for etudes. The Suzuki books are great for literature and repoitoire to get you going. Once you have these things down look into solos and better etudes, start on third position and the upper positions/lower positions (1/2 pos.) Work on one and two octave scales to start, then work into some 3 octave scales. By then you should be ready for some more advanced work. I wish you luck!

Answer 3

good to see you become a viola player. practise consistently & don't give up. it requires quite an effort to improve, especially at the beginning.

i'm no violist, but i do play the violin. the principles of positioning are the quite similar. let me tell you through years of experience.

firstly, you need 2 grip the viola (with your neck) right. get a shoulder rest and grip it without assistance from your left arm. it is important for shifting positions. grip it at 45 degrees from your shoulders. grip it tight and firm with your entire left jaw, not your chin. look straight and not down when you play.

next, place your bow (stick) on the strings between the end of the fingering board and the bridge. make sure the bow and the bridge are in parallel with each other. a square like space with your body, lower arm, bow and viola as sides should form.

when you hold the bow, note that your last finger must be bent. DO NOT put it straight and locked, for this will make it difficult for you to play harder pieces in the future. your fingers should be flexible and smooth and this also improves posture. your thumb tip should also not exceed the other side of the stick of the bow. to master holding the bow, you can train holding the bow with only your first finger and last finger. the other fingers are actually useless.

when you play, start with open strings (without pressing the finger board). try not to move your upper arm while you play, for if you do so your bow might slip down to the finger board. hold your viola high too to help maintain bow position (not too high also).practise by leaning your right arm onto the edge of a wall. while changing strings (eg. A to C), move your entire arm. don't be lazy and move only your upper arm. also, feel free and relaxed when you play. don't get yourself tensed up.

as for your left arm, lift it up naturally without putting in extra force to support your viola. lift up your left arm and look at it with your palm facing you. that is how it will be placed below the finger board. remember to keep your lower arm straight, don't bend your wrist inwards towards the finger board. it destroys your technique and your posture. when you press the strings, you must tap it hard enough to make the pitch of the note you tap, without playing with the bow. this is to train strong and independent fingers.

these are the general basics of playing well. if you have mistakes, correct them NOW. do not make them a habit. the longer you continue, the harder will it be to correct next time. watch more professionals play (youtube) and look in the mirror while you practise. of course, play your scales to be familiar with the notes. have patience and practise well. good luck!!!

Answer 4

im a violist too, and the one thing that is a necessity is a shoulder rest. not ony is it confortable, but you should be able to hold the viola between your shoulder and your cheek, in order to adjust fingerings, and the shoulder rest helps with just that. its also good to keep a clean, soft cloth to wipe of your viola and the strings every couple of days. and you should never leave your viola in the car on a hot summer day. the fingerboard might melt!

Answer 5

Your best choice is to search out a University instructor or a local instructor. There are good books out there, but one on one communication with an instructor is the most wisest way.

Answer 6

Congratulations on becoming a violist. You will always be in demand!

I encourage you to practice 3 or 4 octave scales and arp's daily. This will make your chops unstoppable. Practice slowly with a metronome.

Did you see those last 3 words?

Muy importante'!

Practice scales and arps S l o w l y ! Don't slop your shifts and keep everything super clean and you will kick 8ss.

Answer 7

practice
get a good teacher.