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I was wondering, for those violists here, what size viola do you play? According to my measurements, I should be able to play a 16" viola, just. I find it too strenuous on my arms and shoulders to hold and play the 16" viola.
My first viola was a 16". I traded it in for a 15 1/2" viola. The 15 1/2" was much better. I was able to play, or try to play, without straining. I wanted to upgrade that viola and ended out buying a 15 3/4" viola, yes, a quarter inch larger. It was made by the owner/luthier of the music shop. It felt really nice, and sounded nice. I still have it. It has. nice mellow sound.
I have also purchased a Fiddlerman viola, 15 1/2". I love that viola. It is brighter sounding, which I was looking for, so I use it when playing not so mellow sounding pieces. If I could play better, it wouldn't matter because I could play whatever song on any viola, but I am not that good.
I have found that sometimes the 15 3/4" does give me issues, but the 15 1/2" never does. When I have issues with the 15 3/4", and I want to play the 15 3/4" viola, I warm up with the 15 1/2". I think it exercises and loosens up my joints?
This has brought me to the thinking that it is also your flexibility, or joints that play a part in viola size? That extra 1/4" does make a slight difference with my joints. I love both violas. If I can get better, I think I will sell my 15 3/4 viola and just keep my lovely Fiddlerman.
I know strings make a difference on an instrument and if I changed strings on the brighter viola, I could get it to sound mellow, but I don't, necessarily want that, and I like the strings that are on it. They seem to fit the viola. I just need to hone my skills, or get some skills, ?, to be able to get the sound I want. I am pretty sure that will come with time.
Just some rambling about what I have noticed about my violas.
What size do you play? Do you prefer a bright sounding viola or dark sounding viola?
The Bumble Bee Flies
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From memory, mine is 40.5cm, that would make it approx 16''. I never tried any other size, so I have no basis for comparison. On my very first viola the string length was the same (hence the finger spacings too).
I used to have trouble with the 4th finger. This wasn't a problem with my hand size or with the viola - but mainly with my arm position, which I understood quite recently. Of course I'm just speaking for myself there. I'm tall enough and my arms/hands are big enough so there's no reason for 16'' to be a problem.
I can't really say if it's bright or dark, for the same reason (haven't tried other violas). I would say it's on the bright side, but as you say, it's probably more a matter of technique. I'm sure I could get a darker sound by going to the higher positions, and with better bowing skills. Although I'm tempted to try the Obligato strings at some point… but not now.
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I tried Obligato on a violin. They were hard to bow. I think it was Fiddlerman, who told me that they are harder to bow to learn with. They resemble gut a lot. I took them off and had an easier time. I would like to try them on a viola some time. I imagine them being super warm, but hey, what do I know?
The Bumble Bee Flies
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Hej all, yes still here lurking ni the shadows. I alos measure for a larger viola but bought the 15.5. Now wishing I had a 14.5. As I age, my shoulders and wrists have gone. Arthritis creeps in. can only play 10 to 15 minutes before I realize the scroll is on my knee and my neck is in spasms.
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Hey, @Ripton, glad to see you here again. I so agree with the age factor. I can rarely play my larger viola now, it is only 1/4" larger. I also wish that I purchased the 15 1/4 or 15 inch Fiddlerman viola. My wrist really needs less of an arm stretch to be able to be flexible enough to handle the fingerboard. The stretch feels like it is tightening up the wrist.
The Bumble Bee Flies
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Now that I'm on this forum, I might as well mention mine.
I play a 15-3/4" viola, but it's a Tertis pattern viola, so the vibrating string length is a bit shorter. I have the arm length for a larger viola, probably up to 16-1/4" or 16-1/2", but for me the limiting factor is my hand size.
Before my current viola, I started on a 15-1/2" viola that I was able to borrow for four years. I think my current 15-3/4" viola is actually easier to play despite being larger, probably because it has a slightly shorter vibrating string length and narrower upper bout. That's one thing to keep in mind about viola sizes: shapes vary. For some people the vibrating string length is more important than the back length, and the shape of the body or width of the fingerboard can also make it easier or harder to play.
My current viola is a little on the bright side. It's very responsive and projects extremely well for its size, especially at both ends of its register; it's definitely suitable for use as a soloist's or section leader's instrument. Right now I'm using Kaplan Amo strings, which I think make my viola sound warmer and less violin-like without losing too much of its soloistic character.
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AndrewH, I never knew about the different shapes as you mentioned. That is interesting. Also, how hand size plays a part. I am assuming the finger length part of the hand, also.
I actually did my 15 3/4 inch one this morning, I am still finding it harder to play than my 15 1/2 inch one. At least my wrist did not get sore this time.
I should do the same song on the Sullivan and Fiddlershop, back to back, and see if I can hear much difference, and if so, what the difference is. I know my little 15" one is completely different, but it does sound nice, albeit a bit hollow, and is playable without causing any soreness from stretching,
I wonder how the 15" one would sound with violin strings, if they would fit. ; - )
The Bumble Bee Flies
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I tried playing the 4/4 violin today. Ouch, felt like I was playing with a kid's toy. My neck felt great, but my left hand was all cramped up trying to stay between the lines.
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@Ripton, I kmow. Glojg from viola to violin is "finger awakening"! It makes sense. There is a big difference in feel between my 15 3/4 viola and 15 1/2 viola. Sometimes I cannot plat the 15 3/4 inch one, ut the 15 1/2 inch one is fine.
With violins, it feels like I am very crunched, but am fine once I adjust.
You are right, from viola to violin, it feels like a instrument going to a child's toy.
The Bumble Bee Flies
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