FORUM

A A A
Avatar
Please consider registering
guest
sp_LogInOut Log Insp_Registration Register
Register | Lost password?
Advanced Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
sp_Feed Topic RSSsp_TopicIcon
Viola peregrinations
Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 Topic Rating: 5 (2 votes) 
Avatar
wtw
Regular Member
Members

Regulars
April 26, 2023 - 8:46 am
Member Since: January 13, 2019
Forum Posts: 99
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Opening this as a sort of blog, I'm not sure whether I'll use it much or not.

I may vent here on the bad viola days, or celebrate the good ones ; ask random questions about my issues, share audio excerpts of what I'm 'working' on… or just talk to myself about anything viola-related. Feel free to read or not to read :--) Feel free to answer too!

wtw

Avatar
Mouse
April 26, 2023 - 6:16 pm
Member Since: July 8, 2021
Forum Posts: 522
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

That is what I use my blog for. For some reason, it helps.

The Bumble Bee Flies

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

Avatar
wtw
Regular Member
Members

Regulars
April 27, 2023 - 1:22 pm
Member Since: January 13, 2019
Forum Posts: 99
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

On the "strings" topic:

A few weeks ago I switched from my usual Vision solo strings, to standard Vision. I must say I prefer the solo version, but it was worth giving it a try, no regrets here.

What I don't understand is online strings charts, that try to compare different brands in terms of warmth, power, etc. Or how reliable they are. Just out of curiosity, I looked at a viola string chart (that will be kept unnamed) : it classifies the Vision solo as more brilliant, and the Vision as warmer. However, on Fiddlershop, it's the opposite (see 3rd picture - I have no idea where this chart comes from, maybe from Thomastik?) ; I would agree more with them.

That, or I don't know what warm, brilliant, rich, …  actually means. (I'm not too sure, in fact.)

It would be interesting to find several charts and compare them.

Avatar
Mouse
April 27, 2023 - 2:12 pm
Member Since: July 8, 2021
Forum Posts: 522
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Well, my take is that it depends on the actual instrument, bow, rosin and how the person actually bows, I think ot depends on how warm it needs to sound before it crosses from bright to warm and then dark. Again, that is dependent on a lot of things, and the opinion of the person who is actually comparing, I know the green label Evahs that I used in the Goronok cello, and loved in it, were a lot mellower than any chart showed it to be. 

It is the same thing with instruments, I have heard people say a forum member has a warm or bright sounding instrument, but to me, many times, it is the opposite. 

I think it is all relative. Maybe a guide sometimes, but with the green label Evahs, they were all off for my uses. 

People say that Violino(?) is a less expensive substitute for Obligato. I tried them in a violin and did not find that to be the case. I didn't even like them on my violin. 

The Bumble Bee Flies

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

Avatar
wtw
Regular Member
Members

Regulars
May 8, 2023 - 6:29 am
Member Since: January 13, 2019
Forum Posts: 99
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Quick update there. I didn't play much my viola recently. But I'm trying to practice those double stop exercises

(some additional info here, about the differences between violin and viola) : https://www.violinist.com/blog.....187/27365/ ) 

I'm bad at them so the free preview sample is enough for me : I'll be satisfied if I even manage the first two lines (1st position, p. 5). I'm struggling with bar 2 (B) : I already find it hard to play an octave in double stops, but doing so while holding one or two other fingers down is almost impossible. Maybe I should work on them in 2nd or 3rd position first, the finger spacings would be a little smaller.

More importantly, I feel that double stops exercises (and especially those, which ask to keep fingers down) can help me in a general way with my left hand, which is very bad. I think I'm starting to see a difference - at least, I hope so!

Avatar
wtw
Regular Member
Members

Regulars
May 18, 2023 - 4:07 pm
Member Since: January 13, 2019
Forum Posts: 99
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Took up my viola again today, after a few days' break (I think I almost didn't play since my last post). My sound was crappy but else it went well enough. I worked a bit on double stops again, and it does help with my left hand speed : I seem to lift my fingers less, so that's less wasted effort. Did some mindless playing of Telemann and Bach.

Avatar
Violaman
Admin
May 19, 2023 - 8:54 am
Member Since: October 2, 2011
Forum Posts: 560
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Telemann and Bach sound nice to me. ?
Hope that you are sounding less crappy now. Your words, not mine. ?

Avatar
wtw
Regular Member
Members

Regulars
May 19, 2023 - 4:35 pm
Member Since: January 13, 2019
Forum Posts: 99
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

Yup, it was much less crappy today!

I opened again the book by Paul Rolland ("the teaching of action in string playing"), at the chapter about vibrato, and did some of the exercises. I still have a hard time keeping my hand relaxed enough, and it gets much more difficult if I'm actually trying to play music.

It's a nice book though. Plenty of pictures and detailed explanations.

Avatar
wtw
Regular Member
Members

Regulars
May 21, 2023 - 4:11 pm
Member Since: January 13, 2019
Forum Posts: 99
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

It's going rather well, so I'm enjoying it while it lasts.

Yesterday, I did mostly mindless playing - went back to some klezmer and tango tunes, with accompaniments. 

And today I got little violin out of the cupboard. I looked at Casey Willis' tutorial about double stops, and tried it some (the beginning, at least). It's hard, but at least he's not pretending that it's easy (… does that make sense?), and you get a good view of the left hand. Anyway, on the violin it's much easier to bow and hold strings down compared to the viola, and the finger spacings are easier, so that removes a few difficulties. That, and not having to transpose anything down. I think I'll go back to it. I  finished with some viola, I'm not leaving it aside ;--)

Avatar
Mouse
May 22, 2023 - 11:31 pm
Member Since: July 8, 2021
Forum Posts: 522
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

Keep it up, wtw.

The Bumble Bee Flies

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

Avatar
wtw
Regular Member
Members

Regulars
June 8, 2023 - 4:18 pm
Member Since: January 13, 2019
Forum Posts: 99
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

 

Back! Work has been hectic these days (still is), and I haven't given much time to playing or for the forum.

Lastly I've been looking at the technique of the scottish "cut" as presented here by Hanneke Cassel, and trying to do it. I'm not having much luck, but still I'm not despairing to manage it at some point. I'm attaching an audio that will count as a 'first version', it's nowhere near what it should be yet, hoping to improve. It's still somewhat better than it was the first time.

I'm using a violin for this right now – I don't know if it can be done on the viola. I guess it probably can, but I suspect it must be more difficult, because the strings don't respond so quickly and need more 'force' to be put into motion.

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
Mouse
June 8, 2023 - 4:24 pm
Member Since: July 8, 2021
Forum Posts: 522
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

That sounds good, @wtw. The sound was very clear.I have issues with anynkind of bowing like that. You are definitely on the right track! 

The Bumble Bee Flies

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

Avatar
wtw
Regular Member
Members

Regulars
June 11, 2023 - 12:18 pm
Member Since: January 13, 2019
Forum Posts: 99
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
13sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

Thanks Mouse.

Avatar
wtw
Regular Member
Members

Regulars
August 4, 2023 - 3:19 pm
Member Since: January 13, 2019
Forum Posts: 99
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
14sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

I've been away from here for quite some time.  But now on leave from work until nearly the end of the month, so I have more time (and energy!) to play (and come here). Which doesn't actually guarantee that I'll play more.

Anyway, since my last post I don't think I've made any progress, but I haven't completely stopped playing either. Among other things, I've been trying the Butterfly waltz, which I like a lot. Not too many double stops in that one, so it's a good way to practice them, too. I'm not getting the result I want yet. Here goes today's try :

sp_PlupAttachments Attachments
Avatar
Mouse
August 5, 2023 - 6:49 pm
Member Since: July 8, 2021
Forum Posts: 522
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
15sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

Hey, @wtw That sounded great. I liked the waltz sound, came through clearly. I liked the dynamics. The double stops were really good. I really like that tune.

The Bumble Bee Flies

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

Avatar
wtw
Regular Member
Members

Regulars
September 3, 2023 - 12:14 pm
Member Since: January 13, 2019
Forum Posts: 99
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
16sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

I began playing around with chopping since yesterday. It's not easy, but fun - and it's a change from the serious stuff where I get all frustrated about my tone. Added benefit, it makes me practice "playing" near the frog. Not sure how long I'll keep trying, but I think I need to do that - try out new things just for fun.

Avatar
Mouse
September 8, 2023 - 7:07 am
Member Since: July 8, 2021
Forum Posts: 522
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
17sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

Playing by the frog on cello is hard, also. I do,not get a good sound.

The Bumble Bee Flies

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

Avatar
wtw
Regular Member
Members

Regulars
September 9, 2023 - 3:27 pm
Member Since: January 13, 2019
Forum Posts: 99
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
18sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

Well, I had some fun today.
After watching a video where Ray Chen asks ChatGPT for advice about how to learn Dance of the Goblins (!), I tried asking advice to an AI for how to learn double stops. The results weren't very convincing though. So I fell back to the Roland Vamos exercise that I'd tried back in May, and, surprise, it felt much easier than last time… I'm beginning to think I might manage it at some point.

I'm counting it as a victory even if it might just have been a good day today.

Avatar
wtw
Regular Member
Members

Regulars
September 21, 2023 - 3:52 pm
Member Since: January 13, 2019
Forum Posts: 99
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
19sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

Going to BingChat (which is ChatGPT-based) for the same question yielded much better results. It advised me to use Sevcik op.9 and - surprise- the Roland Vamos book (and Heather Figi's Etudes for double stops, pretty unknown I think ?). So, I'm suspending my judgment on AI, and I'll probably give it a try from time to time.

Anyway, I'm not doing much these days, and starting to be dissatisfied with my sound and the way my bow grips the strings (or rather, doesn't grip well). I don't know if I should get a rehair - iti's been one year and a half - or change my strings (only 6 months). I'll probably start with the bow, and then the strings if needed.

Avatar
Mouse
September 24, 2023 - 11:46 am
Member Since: July 8, 2021
Forum Posts: 522
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
20sp_Permalink sp_Print
0

Interesting a out your AI testing.

I think I would go with a rehair, too. I have been doing more cello than viola of late. I need to snap to it and do more viola, but I want to get the project down better,

The Bumble Bee Flies

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

Forum Timezone: America/New_York
Most Users Ever Online: 228
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 30
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Members Birthdays
sp_BirthdayIcon
Today None
Upcoming None
Top Posters:
HeadCheese: 355
Ripton: 164
Ferret: 119
wtw: 99
Manny: 66
VinceKnight: 60
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 0
Members: 54463
Moderators: 0
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 13
Forums: 45
Topics: 419
Posts: 2358
Newest Members:
curranr, Gordon Shumway, BrentBub SP, Timothyhence SP, Richardsmugs SP, Miguelniz SP
Administrators: Violaman: 560, BillyG: 81, Mouse: 522