r/Viola

I don’t know what to call it, but a few days ago I realised I started having problems with my intonation, my ear, or maybe it’s my instrument, I’m not sure. I’d say I have a pretty decent hearing, and most of the time I can tell when I’m out of tune. I try to practise double stops and scales almost every day, but, literally, I feel like I can’t tune my instrument properly these last few days. Even when I use a tuner or try practising with a drone, it still sounds odd to me, as if the notes were a bit too sharp or flat, but not where they should be.

Someone told me it might be the strings, but they’re as new as my viola, I’ve had them since 31 December last year, so I don’t think that’s the cause.

I'm getting frustrated, so thanks to anyone who replies, even if it’s just to say they’ve been through the same

I'm trying to figure out the size of the rosin before buying it to see if it fits into a box I'm making. Can someone help me?

https://preview.redd.it/r0izn44jmexg1.png?width=1478&format=png&auto=webp&s=ee656e92bd1193d959545d2f26c76206e5a357dd

I want to loosen my strings to a lower pitch for just one practice sesh just to see how it sounds and get a warmer sound. But I'm not sure if this will cause warping or damage to the bridge and soundpost, or make it harder to return to its original pitch.

Beautiful viola for sale - not sure if this is allowed apologies if not I will delete

I just got second at state with my quartet, after previously getting first at state last year! Is it worth it to mention both in a college application, or just the 1st place State Title?

Also are these competitions prestigious in any manner?

I'm in my mid-50s, and I've played piano at a fairly strong amateur level for decades, but I just started on the viola this January (wife plays violin and is looking for an eventual duet partner). I've been taking lessons and feel I'm making decent progress getting used to all the physical and mental things you have to deal with on a string instrument that you can take for granted on piano. And that blasted alto clef, grumble...

I don't have real trouble reaching first position fingerings on the three top strings, though fourth finger on G starts to feel harder. Lately, I've started to do two octave scales (C and now D), arpeggios, and broken thirds, and I'm feeling like I'm fighting against my body to make those fingers land cleanly, let alone accurately. It gets tiring and a bit painful, and I'm trying to be careful not to overdo it since I've had some minor shoulder issues in the past. That means shorter sessions, which is manageable, but a bit frustrating to someone that used to practice 3+ hours at a time on the piano.

I feel like some of it is my holding too much tension everywhere as I play, trying to focus on fingering, bowing, intonation, etc. Maybe that's most of the problem; I'm grabbing onto the neck far too firmly yet, for sure. If so, I'd hope that as I internalize good habits I'll be able to relax more and this will stop being an issue.

But another thing that I feel is that when I'm trying to reach those C string fingerings, I'm moving my left elbow forward and in, as I rotate my left hand on the neck to bring the thumb lower and give the fingers more "reach." And when I do that, I definitely feel I'm pushing my upper arm against my torso. I'm fairly heavy, so there's not a lot of room to move across my body.

I have a 15" viola, and I'm pretty confident it's not too big; I went to a shop to get sized properly. My teacher thinks the way I'm holding the instrument is fine, though she's talked about having me rotate the neck a bit more away from my shoulder while keeping the instrument level, thinking that might help my reach. Maybe, but I'm finding that just makes me have to push my elbow and upper arm even more into my torso, so it doesn't seem to help yet. If I raise my left hand so the viola is more tilted, I can rotate my arm more cleanly, but now the reach feels further so it doesn't really help.

I hope that's enough background. I'm looking for thoughts/advice/experience on whether what I describe is normal, and whether it's something I just need to work through and become more relaxed about, or if there are particular techniques or exercises or instrument placements that might be helpful. If it's all just up to very deliberate practice and drills, that's fine too; I plan on keeping that up.

I appreciate any feedback.

So I use a Kaufman chinrest and a Everest shoulder rest and my shoulder has been killing me, it always raises, I think my shoulder rest is the problem, I’ve tried everything adjusting it with sponge and clothe and the placement but everything gives me a sore shoulder, I’m considering just getting rid of the shoulder rest. Any ideas?

Let me preface this by saying I love playing the viola. I used to be terrible in 2023 until I decided to get lessons. Many people around me have said that I made massive improvement. Just a few days ago, my piano accompaniment said I sounded like a cello. But that’s kinda besides the point. I practiced for hours and sounded good in rehearsal for the piece I was playing. I had a recital today though, and I was getting super anxious already 30 minutes prior. My eyes were burning and all the hours of practice felt like they were slipping away. My family told me to breathe and all the other stuff, which in theory could’ve worked, but it didn’t. I seemed to calm down for a while but then when I got on stage it didn’t go well. I messed up several times, missed 9 measures all in all. I remember looking at the pages and thinking, wow, do I even remember how to play all this? It would’ve been fine until I nearly burst into tears afterwards. I’m 15, I shouldn’t be that upset over a performance, but somehow I was. Anyways, how do I stop getting so anxious and messing up? This happens every time, and it genuinely makes me not want to practice. Sorry for all the negativity, the performance just made me pretty frustrated.

I played the viola as a teenager and recently picked it up again almost 25 years later. I stared taking lessons a couple of months ago and have lessons every two weeks. I've picked it up again fairly quickly which i'm pleased about and i'm around grade 3-4 (abrsm) at the moment, having reached grade 5 pieces as a teenager. Would anyone be able to advise on how long it will take me to progress and get to grade 5 or 6 so I can join a local orchestra? Thanks!