News

by Paul Harris and Jessica O'Leary

 

 

Are you a violinist? Ever thought of playing the viola too? Here’s why it’s such a useful skill…

 

 

Playing the viola will make you a more flexible and valuable musician – in ensembles or orchestras you’ll be able to play first violin, second violin or viola.

 

There will be more opportunities to play in chamber music ensembles, which will help you to develop a better understanding of inner parts. And viola players are always in demand! As viola lines are often a little less complex than the violin parts you may get to play in more advanced ensembles. 

 

The sound quality is very special! It is really beautiful and vibrant, and because the instrument is often larger than a violin it has a deeper (and literally lower), richer tone.

 

Being a viola player may also give you a greater chance of securing school or conservatoire scholarships as there are fewer viola players about!  Sometimes these organisations may own a viola which they might loan out to you.  For less young players there are organisations that will loan out violas and amateur groups are always on the look out for viola players.  

 

You will also find a bigger repertoire becomes accessible to you as you’ll be able to play violin and cello pieces, for example all those wonderful unaccompanied Bach works.  Editions and arrangements of these are readily available. 

 

Many great violin soloists have also played the viola; among them are Nigel Kennedy, Julianne Lee, Yehudi Menuhin and Niccolò Paganini. The great violinist and teacher, Jascha Heifetz, encouraged all his violin pupils to play the viola too, and playing both instruments is standard practice in several music schools, conservatoires and countries. Several great composers were viola players including Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Dvořák. There are many wonderful performers who are viola soloists including Yuri Bashmet, William Primrose, Lionel Tertis, Tabea Zimmermann, and Nobuko Imai.   

 

Once you’re familiar with reading the C clef (or alto clef) this will make score reading much easier.  Chamber players benefit enormously from the ability to understand a score and in more modern music often may actually play from scores. 

 

As viola vibrato on the lower strings is a little wider and slower, this increases our awareness of vibrato on the violin and when you go back to your violin it will also feel lighter and more nimble - and you’ll have a new appreciation for inner parts!