I got a viola last Fall,  nothing special,  but I chose a nice pernambuco bow that seemed to bring out the best tone.  I learned to read the alto clef,  but couldn't  seem to control the bow.  I don't know if it was because I got a very responsive bow or I just was having troublw with the added weight,  but it was very jittery and souned like one of the BeeGee's on Thorizine.  I';d get disgusted and put it away for up to a month at a time.  I'd break it out once a month so I didn't lose the recognition of the alto clef and see if getting more relaxed with my violin bow was translating to the viola bow.

This morning I broke it out again,  and was surprised to find that I was starting to be able to get a smooth tone.  I've got a long way to go,  but it was so nice to see improvement.  Now I can strat prcticing regularly with it.