Learning Cello/Viola

[Uladyne]

Not that I have any money right now, but I'm seriously contemplating snagging an inexpensive second hand viola or cello to muck around with. I'm in love with strings lately and would love to learn how to play one of these, even if at only the most modest level. Anyone have any experience playing these? Any tips for jumping from guitar/bass to one of these? Aren't they tuned all weird?

Beer.

 

[TheWinterSnow]

Yes they are tuned wierd, opposite of guitars. While guitars are tuned in 4ths, all the string instruments except the double bass (which have the same tuning as a bass guitar) are tuned in 5ths. Violins are lot to high GDAE, violas (are like baritone violins) CGDA (just missing the high E), the cello is an octave lower than the viola (CGDA) and the Bass is the following E below the Cello's C (EADG).

I bought a violin and pulled the strings off of it and then couldn't to afford getting a new set as they are expensive, but it was fun. I found the violin pretty hard although I can pick up a double bass and play it picking with my fingers relatively easy. IME the bigger the instrument is, the less sensitive the pitch sensitivity is making it easier to play in tune.

Personally I would go after a cello as it generally does better by itself, its a very middle pitch instrument, not extremely low in pitch and can still sing some nice high notes.

 

[Uladyne]

Thanks for the info! I'm definitely leaning towards trying to snag a cello, but space is a factor. I guess we'll see what happens!

 

[abt]

Not that I have any money right now, but I'm seriously contemplating snagging an inexpensive second hand viola or cello to muck around with. I'm in love with strings lately and would love to learn how to play one of these, even if at only the most modest level. Anyone have any experience playing these? Any tips for jumping from guitar/bass to one of these? Aren't they tuned all weird?

Beer.

I've got a cello. I don't play it much these day, its pretty hard. It helps a huge amount if you can sight read. After a while you get used to the interval pattern and then you can play stuff. I'm pretty sure about the first thing you'll say to yourself it "fuck I miss frets!". Buy a roll of white tape and stick on fret markers. Don't worry it's a legitimate technique! Get a lot of rosin on that bow and go for it.

 

[John_C]

All of the string instruments have very little instant satisfaction so be prepared to be making horrific noises for a long time. Also, get a teacher and get a good one. I spent years learning with a crap teacher and i made very little progress, as soon as i found a better one it made all the difference and i improved much more rapidly. They aren't instruments that are easy to teach yourself, like guitar for example. There's a lot of technique that it's very important you get right.

 

[spioraid]

What do you call perfect pitch on a viola? 15 feet into a dumpster, no sides.
What's the difference between a trampoline and a viola? You take your shoes off before jumping on a trampoline.
What do you call a viola on the bottom of a pool? A good idea.

 

[ParsonsMatt]

You will sound AWFUL for around a year. Then you'll sound pretty bad for another year. Maybe after 2-3 years you'll start to sound decent.

 

[Uladyne]

hrm, maybe I should put some more thought into this, haha.

 

[TheWinterSnow]

Depends on how much you practice. The most difficult part about playing a stringed instrument (if you already play guitar) is getting the bow action correctly. I found so much difficulty with the violin only because my hands are way to big, I couldn't even get my pinky underneath the frog as my fingers were too thick and my problem with the bass bow was that the whole thing is too damned big and trying to focus on your fretting hand and the bow was just mental overload. With a cello being as big as an acoustic guitar, it should be a nice choice for the averaged sized male on the comfort and ease of playing.

 

[greyskull]

strings are possibly the hardest instrument to play...
and yes violas are the butt of all the jokes in the orchestra.
when it should be the Bassoon. (Faggott as ze germans call it)