Musical Practice and Performance Stack Exchange
Musical Practice and Performance Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [viola]

An instrument of the string family, larger than the violin and tuned a fifth lower which generally plays on the alto clef. The viola is higher than the cello and double bass, but lower than the violin.

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Teaching rhythm to a beginner

I'm teaching viola to a beginner high school student. His progress with technique and reading are pretty good, but one thing he has trouble with is rhythm and tempo. He tends to want to work on expression and tone quality a lot -- which is…
Rei Miyasaka
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Can a 24-year-old learn to play violin/viola proficiently?

I've seen a few of these questions asked, but it seems like most of the students to be where just starting out in music. They didn't have limber fingers, couldn't read notes. That's not a bad thing considering we've all had to start somewhere.…
Cynthium Roses
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Why didn't more composers who composed violin concertos compose viola concertos?

Wouldn't the glut of violin and cello concertos from the Baroque and Classical eras motivate composers to compose Viola Concertos? Isn't adding to the deluge of violin and cello concertos more grueling and troublesome? Why not choose the easier…
user26407
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What is the proper way to notate the end of a section played "sul ponticello"?

That is, what is the standard way to tell a string player to play normally again?
Casey Rule
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Do the violas often play the same parts as the violins in an orchestra?

Are violas always part of an orchestra? How are they typically used? Do they often play the same parts as the violins to create a richer texture? I'm new to orchestration and have been wondering about this.
Z0mbiePenguin
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Loosen strings for long-term storage of violin?

Of course the bow should be loosened so it doesn't warp or break, and the violin strings should not be loosened so much that the sound post falls out, but should they be loosened at all for long-term storage? Some say to store them tuned: There’s…
endolith
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What technical difficulties will I encounter transitioning from violin to 5-string viola?

What is harder to play, violin or viola? My question is should be completely agnostic, i.e. no relation to the classical repertoire or any other rep., nor should it be about the string order. The question is only about what is technically harder due…
Shimmy Weitzhandler
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Does a beard adversely affect playing the violin or viola?

It's November which means it's time for "Movember" when some men traditionally grow a moustache in aid of charities aimed at men's health problems, typically prostate and testicular cancers. As moustaches become passe some men are growing a full…
Brian Towers
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Arrow below staff pointing to number

What does this arrow below the staff pointing to six mean? Do I repeat the measure until 6, rest until 6, or something else? If it helps at all this is pit orchestra music for a musical :) Thanks!
Devious Capybara
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Placement of F# on Alto Clef

For the past four or so years now, I have been playing the Viola. Y'all know what that means: Alto clef. Up until just a few weeks ago, I have always seen an F# displayed in a key signature like this: However, I have noticed in a few Italian pieces…
SuperMusicman
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String advice for viola

I want to put new strings on my viola, as the current ones are more than five years old. I think the current ones are D'Addario Helicore for C, G and D, and Jargar medium for A (I tried to lookup the silk colors). These are the strings the builder…
Pier
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Learning my first instrument

I’m 21 and about to finish college. Learning to play an instrument has always been a long standing lifelong dream of mine and pursuing it has finally started to look feasible in the foreseeable future. With my higher education coming to a close…
Kelia
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Can I play an English horn part with a viola?

I want to perform music in class for a Shakespeare play. Can I play an English horn part with a viola?
Elli
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Bow hold and broken thumb? Suggestions?

So it feels like I'm fighting the bow due to the angle of my thumb, it's not impossible but I could use a few pointers or suggestions. The standard bow hold is mildly ineffective for me.
Cynthium Roses
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I have been playing for three years, how long and how often am I supposed to practice?

I take private lessons, but my music teacher doesn't discuss how long and how often I am supposed to practice. I am in middle school, I practice alone, I play the viola, and I am at an intermediate level.
user65453
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