Posted by mudbug on Saturday, August 20, 2011
I'm trying out a viola this weekend. It's a cheapie but has high end strings, so it sounds good.....not great, but good enough. Man, those resonant notes are addicting. Now, I've got to twist my brain around reading the alto clef, which I actually did for about a month when I first started. Might just as well, as I'm already twisting my brain on learning to read third position in treble clef.
It's a 16", with taller ribs, bigger body and longer scale than I've been accustomed to with the fiddle, but that resonanse sure is addictive and I'm sure I'm gonna keep it.
Sigh.....let's see.....now I'm gonna need a case and a bow, and mucho practice time.
14 comments on “Say Hello to my Leetle Friend”
Cyndy Says:
Saturday, August 20, 2011 @5:26:17 AM
Shame on you for putting new ideas into our heads. The thought of pulling deep, resonant notes from a viola is almost irresistible. Your account should be frozen! : )
BC Says:
Saturday, August 20, 2011 @6:13:41 AM
Sounds like you have your hands full. Remember pics.
Andah1andah2 Says:
Saturday, August 20, 2011 @6:39:54 AM
looks like you'll need to get up even earlier in the morning now Steve. Good luck with it. Hope you bring her with you to fiddle hell, I like to hear her.
stew692 Says:
Saturday, August 20, 2011 @8:06:09 AM
My first fiddle teacher played classical viola, and I was very surprised much bigger the instrument was. Have fun, keep us posted!
Humbled by this instrument Says:
Saturday, August 20, 2011 @4:11:26 PM
Hello.
mudbug Says:
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @2:10:37 AM
Thanks, guys and gals. I was able to memorise the alto clef fairly quickly when I had some time at work yesterday, and this morning I was able to spend some quality time with it. It'll take a little bit to get used to the scale length, intonation wise, but not as much as I was expecting, although the pinky is getting quite a workout. Yup! I'm keepin' it.
eerohero Says:
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @7:40:52 AM
You deserve some good time with this instrument after all practice with the fiddle, this is actually good for you....
mudbug Says:
Sunday, August 21, 2011 @3:55:43 PM
Thanks, Eero! Actually, all the work on the fiddle, is paying off with the viola, since the skills transfer. I'm sure something like cello would be a different story.
bj Says:
Monday, August 22, 2011 @12:34:19 PM
HAH! I knew there was a reason I walked away from those two violas at the flea today. No way do I need that kinda distraction!
nancymae Says:
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 @6:59:52 AM
Congrats Mudbug! I had no idea there was an Alto Clef!! I saw a viola at the music store this past weekend in Milwaukee, and wondered how it sounded. Will be anxious to hear songs on yours!! Have fun!!! (I have also toyed with picking up and trying out a cello too!!!)...oy.....
mudbug Says:
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 @1:08:28 PM
Thanks, Nancymae.
No distractions, BJ. It's all music.
Fiddlin Dixie Says:
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @10:06:32 AM
That's awesome mudbug. . .I have a friend who has a five string viola and me with my five string violin. Twin Fiddles with them put together is AWESOME.
MOFiddlin Says:
Thursday, August 25, 2011 @4:24:51 PM
Cool. I bet it's quite different to get use to play.
mudbug Says:
Friday, August 26, 2011 @12:59:29 AM
Dixie, Wow! Five string viola and 5 string fiddle. I bet that's one hellacious jam!
NC, yes, quite an adjustment, not just in scale length, but re-thinking when working on improvising.
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