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I was wondering, what size viola do you play?
I play a 15 1/2 inch viola. My Fiddlerman Soloist has a lovely deep rich sound, even though it is not the more common 16 or larger viola.
Any size, even 1/4 inch, larger hurts my left wrist when holding and fingering it.
The Bumble Bee Flies
Learn Viola on Violaman and Fiddlerman's Fiddle Talk
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I play a 15 1/2. I didn't like it at first because I didn't have a shoulder rest.
I've temporarily put a violin wolf forte secondo on it, and I like it now.
If I win the lotto, I may buy a 15 1/2 or I may buy a 15". It will depend on how they sound.
Those who find violas awkward need to consider if it is their technique or their shoulder rest. (or sometimes it might be their chinrest)
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@Gordon Shumway I have an issue finding a shoulder rest. I never thought to use my violin Wolf Forte Secondo. I might try that. I don't use it on my violin, so no big deal. Might as well give it a shot. The ones I have fall off, or are just not right,
I still can't do all that adjusting with the Forte that they say you can do, but, it still might be a good option to try,
The Bumble Bee Flies
Learn Viola on Violaman and Fiddlerman's Fiddle Talk
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I play a 16 inch. I've had trouble with it (especially with the 4th finger… who doesn't!) but my arms and fingers are long enough, so I think for me it's mostly a matter of technique / correct left hand position / etc.
(Very) Slowly I'm getting better in that respect.
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The pinky is a problem on the violin until you get used to it.
Schradieck #1.1 is the answer. And scales.
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Mouse said
@Gordon Shumway I have an issue finding a shoulder rest.
At my concert the other night, I noticed a violist with an Artino Ergo shoulder rest, and it was very low profile (i.e. almost touched the back of the viola.). It looked very nice, although I may try the 90mm Artino SR11 magic pad (gel), or the Artino Magic Pad Pro SR-21 before I venture on to the ergo.
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My viola is 15.75". It's a Tertis-pattern viola, so the vibrating string length is shorter, about what one would expect for a typical 15.25" viola. For me, the limiting factor is not arm length but finger length. My arms can handle a larger viola, but my viola already has the maximum string length where I can just reach an octave double stop in first position.
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