SWITCHING FROM VIOLIN TO VIOLA // What I wish I had known!

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  • Опубліковано 2 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 111

  • @thomassears1432
    @thomassears1432 Рік тому +24

    I switched from violin to viola a few years ago, and I will never go back. Your comments seem to be more about the joys of playing viola as part of an ensemble. I only play alone, using my viola to play the melody. I would like to add that the viola is so rich and beautiful as a solo instrument, rather than an accompaniment part.

  • @canal.connection
    @canal.connection Рік тому +10

    I can't compare because I started straight on the viola. I love the deeper sound. I loved your video, especially about harmony. My teacher says exactly that. In the orchestra, the viola doesn't make much of a sound, but it's needed when it isn't there. And the part about being calmer has more to do with the sound than the difficulty, as the "pressure" to play well is equal. Thank you for sharing your sensitivity in the characteristics you raised about the viola.

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому +2

      You're so welcome and I'm so pleased you enjoyed the video :-)

  • @davew7948
    @davew7948 Рік тому +15

    Thanks, can you go into the differences in technique more? A video of you playing a scale on each instrument demonstrating what you are doing differently. Bowing, shifting differences. Then playing a tune (possibly transposed an octave), again explaining what different techniques you use to get the best out of both instruments.

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому +6

      Great suggestion! Yes I can definitely do that :-D

  • @gregmonks
    @gregmonks Рік тому +8

    You EXACTLY described what happened to me going from violin to viola. Got my grade 8 on violin, picked up the viola, largely because I was told that you should play violin first, then got humiliated by the instrument. It's all better now. Just got a 6-string for fun.

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому +3

      Oh I’m sorry it had a rough road! But a 6 string sounds fun!

    • @gregmonks
      @gregmonks Рік тому

      @@heatherhawken 6-strings, when you get a good one, are highly addicting. The low F and high E not only open up possibilities, but add harmonics and resonance, to the point that when you back to a regular viola, you're like, Eh? Something's missing.

  • @johnhudelson2652
    @johnhudelson2652 Рік тому +16

    The most difficult thing about starting to play the viola as a violinist is learning the alto clef.

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому +2

      Yes it can be a bit of a mind bender!

    • @johnhudelson2652
      @johnhudelson2652 Рік тому +3

      @@heatherhawken Since I play the piano and am a bass singer I'm familiar with the bass clef.
      I think of alto clef as the top 2 lines in the bass clef, a line for middle C, and the bottom 2 lines of the treble clef.

    • @johnhudelson2652
      @johnhudelson2652 Рік тому +3

      @@heatherhawken What is even more of a mind bender is when treble clef is used for the upper range of viola. I have to remember there is no E string.

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому

      @@johnhudelson2652 That can be a helpful place to start but I would definitely recommend learning the clef in it's own right, otherwise you'll find it starts hindering you more than it helps 🙂

    • @johnhudelson2652
      @johnhudelson2652 Рік тому +1

      @@heatherhawken I now have the alto clef nailed down in my head; however for Bach"s Cello Suites transcribed to viola there are passages in treble clef.

  • @lawrencestringacademy2218
    @lawrencestringacademy2218 4 місяці тому +1

    So yeah, I subscribed! Firstly, because I am a professional violist who switched from violin 30 years ago and never looked back. Secondly, because you are a fun and entertaining UA-camr and thirdly, because the comments are hysterical, enjoyable, and relatable! You seem like a good person who has surrounded herself with good people. Happy to be part of the family!

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  4 місяці тому +1

      Oh bless you thank you so much ☺️ welcome to the madness! Haha x

  • @bobbyggare8364
    @bobbyggare8364 Рік тому +2

    a reflection I had as a bassist in a rock setting is that it sounds very similar to the bass role in rock. the bass is the viola and the guitar is the violn. Many bassist incluing Paul mccartney started out on guitar and switched to the bass later. The bass is also seen as the lesser version of its counterpart despite being fundamental to the sound and harmony of the band. We can play complicated stuff. Its just not always needed..
    loved your video.

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому +1

      Glad you enjoyed it! Yes it can be quite frustrating at times but it's also quite fun to chat about when people ask :-)

    • @bobbyggare8364
      @bobbyggare8364 Рік тому

      @@heatherhawken indeed it is

  • @sueacord1678
    @sueacord1678 Рік тому +1

    As a viola player I appreciate the love. We hear so many viola jokes that is disheartening. I have played viola from the first. I was a 10 year playing an 16" viola since I chose it because I inhereted my brother's viola. Luckily I grew into the instrument. I have learned the other string instrument but I am still a violst because I love the music and my fellow violist. It was nice to finally getting to play with other violist since growing up being the only violist in my school orchestra. We are a pretty nice group of people.

  • @jamsauce_music
    @jamsauce_music Рік тому +4

    This video was so interesting, thank you. I don’t currently own or play a violin or viola, however I was researching to see which I should choose because both appeal to me. Upon seeing your video as well as other people’s videos, I never realized how much viola connects to me. It’s so beautiful and lovely, and yeah in theory it’s harder but that seems to make it all the more satisfying once you get it down. Thank you!

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому +2

      You’re so welcome! It’s just such an underrated instrument in so many ways

    • @jamsauce_music
      @jamsauce_music Рік тому +2

      I know this doesn’t completely relate, but the instrument I know the most is ukulele, and while it has gained more recent popularity, sometimes when I tell someone I play the ukulele they immediately judge me and my character based on it. One time someone said to me “oh you’re one of THOSE people.” So, the fact that viola is another instrument where violinists hate them just because they’re not violins makes me want to play it even more lol. @@heatherhawken

  • @marthahancock7938
    @marthahancock7938 Рік тому +3

    It was fun to see this topic pop up! My experiences: no technical differences to speak of from violin - just the wider reach. // I got the neck of my viola narrowed by a music shop. It has helped my reach. Violin and viola necks are not special and they can be replaced on an instrument. // It is harder to hear yourself when playing in an orchestra as compared to violin, so it's tempting not to fix every little note! // Learning alto clef has taken me a loooooooooooooong time - and then there is the problem of switching clefs, just because composers think you can't read a few ledger lines. If you ever have to play Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland, get ready for the top of page two, where the clef changes almost every measure!

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому +1

      Yes the clef changes can be a tad tricky when they're sprung on you but it's all part of the fun! She says... 🤣

  • @Aliseelike
    @Aliseelike Рік тому +2

    Very interesting! I’m not switching from violin (still love my violin and all the repertoires) but as a new year resolution for 2024 I set myself up to also learn viola!! Quite excited!!!

  • @britcommom
    @britcommom Рік тому +6

    Having made the switch myself, you’ll find it gets so much easier with time. I joke around that violin is the gateway instrument to viola for those meant to be violists ;)

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому +3

      YES! Officially how I’m referring to violins from now on 🤣 x

  • @TheJensenInterceptor
    @TheJensenInterceptor Рік тому +5

    I play Viola and I am learning fiddle for Irish/Scottish music. so it is good to get some great ideas and gossip. ta...

  • @gregmonks
    @gregmonks Рік тому +4

    There are 20" violas and bigger, by the way. And there are old-style violas that are even bigger with no chin-rest that are held against the chest and are around 5" thick. Some of them, going back to Bach's time, have 5 strings. 5-string viola has always been a thing, from Bach to Mahler.

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому +2

      I do wish they’d kept them as “small cellos” rather than trying to shrink them down to be small enough to play the same way as a violin

    • @gregmonks
      @gregmonks Рік тому

      @@heatherhawken I dunno. They look funny playing, like cartoon characters. Ever see one of those massive Mexican mariachi basses? Takes a big player with long arns to play one. Add a huge sombrero and it just cracks me up. Like those giant foam cowboy hats. I never pass up an opportunity to laugh. 😁

  • @rossthefiddler5890
    @rossthefiddler5890 5 місяців тому

    After doing grade 8 violin myself in my late teens, it wasn't till after a couple of decades when my daughter needed help in the local orchestra playing viola that I took it up too. The other more advanced (semi-professional) orchestra needed more violists so I was playing there too. Yes, I discovered how different it was too & how fingering & playing was not the same, similar, but different. I did that for a number of years before stopping & doing some Scottish fiddle playing for a while (that was fun), but a couple (more) decades later I got back into playing viola in our local orchestra again, starting in 2020 before covid spoilt that (& then my health), so eventually started playing again in 2023. Now I do it because I know I need to, to keep my fingers from seizing up with arthritis & keep my brain active to hopefully keep healthy there too.

  • @roycelassley5759
    @roycelassley5759 10 місяців тому +1

    My grad school violin teacher Bettina’s wife, Jodi Levitz (professor at the same school), convinced me to try viola and after studying with her, my whole outlook changed. Totally agree-violists are WAY more chill!

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  10 місяців тому

      Yay! So glad you joined us 😁

  • @danroberts9050
    @danroberts9050 Рік тому +1

    I made the switch too. I started out as a banjo player and switched to viola. It seemed like a natural switch. Especially since I played harmonica with one of those holder dealies. So I think it all made sense.

  • @RockStarOscarStern634
    @RockStarOscarStern634 Рік тому +4

    There are 5 string Violas tuned C, G, D, A, E which helps.

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому +1

      Yes they can definitely be handy but they come with a whole host of other things to learn. I find them really difficult because of the extra string

    • @chickenblah3
      @chickenblah3 Рік тому

      @@heatherhawken I just got a five string violin (been playing violin for a few years) and am here to see what is different with violas so I can try it and see if it works better at some points. Appreciate the note that technique is different on viola.

  • @kaistinakemperdahl9667
    @kaistinakemperdahl9667 Рік тому +5

    Thank you for this! I added the viola a couple of years ago. I figured out pretty quickly that doing the same things as on the violin is a bad idea. But finding good advice on what to do instead isn’t easy (I can’t afford a teacher atm.) So, if you want to do more videos on transitioning from violin to viola, that would be very much appreciated.❤

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому +2

      My pleasure! Yes I definitely can do ☺️ x

  • @winnie5498
    @winnie5498 Рік тому +2

    I do think that more people would play the viola if there are more viola lessons for beginners. Honestly coming from someone who just started learn the viola not the violin i do prefer the deep tone it gives haha.The best part for me for being in the viola section is when i get to accompany the other sections (especially the cellos haha when playing the melody its sooo good)

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому

      I totally agree! I think the issue is that it can be tricky to find violas small enough

  • @jbusniewski
    @jbusniewski Рік тому +3

    This is interesting, becauseI started on the viola, but play and teach violin more often now, though more for various fiddle styles than classical violin.

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому +2

      Ah always fun to hear of someone switching the other way around!

  • @catherinecossey8954
    @catherinecossey8954 9 місяців тому +2

    I learned violin at school over 20 years ago and they didn't teach viola. Now I'm looking into hiring a viola and seeing if I can adapt my dormant violin skills to it! I always hated the E string when I played violin - sounds shrill and piercing no matter how good the player is!

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  9 місяців тому

      Ah do it! Let me know how you get on 😃 x

    • @catherinecossey8954
      @catherinecossey8954 8 місяців тому

      I have had a few sessions with a beginner's book (meant for children😂) and you can certainly tell it's been a long time since I played this type of instrument! I still have some muscle memory but I have to remind myself to press harder on the strings.

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  8 місяців тому +1

      @@catherinecossey8954 Yeah really think about letting your right arm be heavy rather than pressing harder and you'll find your sound improves so quickly 🙂

    • @nickiemcnichols5397
      @nickiemcnichols5397 5 місяців тому +1

      The E string bothers me too. Sometimes it seems a bit unnecessary.

  • @ZeralinaRobinson
    @ZeralinaRobinson Рік тому

    I started with Piano and have made the transition to viola, totally worth it, it's the best instrument ever

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому +1

      Ah welcome! I always suggest piano as a starter instrument so you’ve had a great start

  • @chrisfairbanks
    @chrisfairbanks 18 днів тому

    I wanted to play violin. I bought THREE violins online advertised as 4/4 - they were all 3/4. I said even if the viola is 3/4, it's still gonna be closer to a full size violin (why are there so many 3/4 size violins advertised as 4/4?!) in love with this instrument. A heavy mute on the bridge: Oh my goodness! 😊😊

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  18 днів тому

      I wouldn’t be able to say I’m sorry! Violin sizes are standardised so they shouldn’t be getting that wrong

  • @ChrisEbbrsen
    @ChrisEbbrsen 11 місяців тому +2

    You are a caution! I may yet get a viola but Im happy right now with my violin. Im sorry the viola camp is ridiculed! I think its just bad manners on behalf of us violinists. Im not one of those that makes light of violists when everything I ve been taught was by a six foot tall lumbering violist of considerable skill. I was merely a 3rd or 4th chair violinist, My instructor thought I was slow. The main thing I have learned is to never give up. Yes I put it down for about 40 years . Then having graduated hi school and after my dear mothers passing I got a hairbrained idea I would re hair my one and only bow. I was riding my bicycle in the country side and came upon a farmhouse with a horse in the front yard. I stopped by and asked if they could get me some horse hairs. They bribed the horse with a carrot and clipped the tail hairs effortlessly and handed me the hairs up front. I was delighted brought them home counted out 288 single black horse hairs and plugged them into my violin bow. My violin now had more.power more sonourous tone than I would have immagined. That was when I got the bug for the violin a second time. I know I talk a lot so will save the rest for another time. Have a happy safe enjoyable New Years Heather and bye for now.😅

  • @ChrisEbbrsen
    @ChrisEbbrsen 11 місяців тому +1

    Don't appologize for clutter. You have the cleanest whitest beautiful ba c kround I've ever seen on any u tube or other! I wanted to share something pertaining to violin/ viola bow grip. Place your rt. Thumb nail under the leather . The thumb should resemble a football standing on its end pointing up! The rest of the grip is as Franco Belgian. If you want Russian. The stick should come up to 3rd joint of index. The bow rocks on the transverse thumb nail . It's like playing a slide trombone. Down bow up bow. Happy New Year. Maybe you already knew this but it rocked my world so I thought I would share it with you. Happy new year. Bye!😅

  • @shipsahoy1793
    @shipsahoy1793 7 місяців тому

    I agree. It is somewhat annoying that there are some great low level violin books that are just nonexistent for viola. My first etude book was one.
    2) A 16" viola is somewhat of a "standard" full size viola. It's not too big and unweildy, yet not small enough to ruin the "viola" sound.
    3) Even though the viola tends to be a bit more difficult to solo with, the biggest hassle in my mind was the clef, although you eventually get used to it. Cheating by thinking of it differently is more trouble than it's worth.
    Also, I would have been much happier if they just used the G clef for the whole range and used ledger lines for the lowest notes.

  • @christopherderoulet9237
    @christopherderoulet9237 7 місяців тому +1

    I started learning viola at age 64 because a cello wouldn't fit in the back of my sports car. As with everything I touch, I did this backward. I'm 67 now and picked up violin three months ago. It's far easier to play with arthritic hands. I'm having a violin commissioned for me, and after almost a year, it will be finished in late May. All the viola jokes are unfounded. The violin is a much easier instrument to play. Even the G clef is simpler and easier to memorize! I will always consider myself a violist and play it 2X as much as the violin. The joke is on you, violinists! They are both beautiful instruments.

    • @nickiemcnichols5397
      @nickiemcnichols5397 5 місяців тому

      Thanks. I’ve considered the viola. I’m a lousy violin player. But I don’t have anyone to play with.

  • @wowtac547
    @wowtac547 4 місяці тому

    I can’t decide what to start with. I’m more comfortable with more of the pads of my fingers on the strings than the tip, I love the low and highs of the viola and that but also love the warmth of a violin.
    Should I learn the violin for a month and or listen to viola pieces, covers and jigs to see if I prefer the viola more?

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  4 місяці тому

      It's honestly such a personal choice... I would go for the one you're most excited about playing :-)

  • @frodsham23
    @frodsham23 7 місяців тому

    The viola section snacks thing is so true!!

  • @frantri3246
    @frantri3246 3 місяці тому

    Yay, nice video! Violin player here who always wanted to play viola, but never had the money to buy (a good) one. And guess what? I'm starting violin making now ;)
    Re your weird 16 1/8 inch viola: That translates to quite exactly 41 cm, so likely a European model.

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  3 місяці тому

      😄 well we need more instrument makers so well done! Ahhhh this makes sense as it was a German maker…

  • @melmbautista
    @melmbautista 23 дні тому

    Would you suggest starting out on the viola if that is your end goal.. or to learn violin then to viola?

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  21 день тому

      I would definitely start on viola ☺️ I’m still unlearning things from my violin days that aren’t super helpful to playing the viola so whilst it’s easier to switch between them than lots of other instruments, it’s still an unnecessary step if you have the choice

  • @i-changeus
    @i-changeus 3 місяці тому

    Hi, What do you think of the electric violia? I'm wanting to learn to play for our low key worship band at church.

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  3 місяці тому

      I’ve never played one personally but for something like a worship band I expect it would work really well ☺️

    • @i-changeus
      @i-changeus 2 місяці тому

      @@heatherhawken Thank you Heather. I appreciate your thoughts : )

  • @Azzne-
    @Azzne- 2 місяці тому

    I’ve been playing violin only a year and a half before finding a cheap viola on marketplace. Is it quality? No but it is enough to tell me that I want to switch over.

  • @celia6830
    @celia6830 Рік тому +1

    Is it like possible to play the violin and the viola? I'm asking as i see that there's like a competition between those two instrument or is the switch to do is to much important to play the two and i feel like i need and answer 😅

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому +1

      Yes absolutely! I still play both ☺️

    • @celia6830
      @celia6830 Рік тому

      @@heatherhawken thank you for the quick response!! :D

    • @frantri3246
      @frantri3246 3 місяці тому +1

      Pinchas Zukerman also plays with and performs on both.

  • @gregwilkin6565
    @gregwilkin6565 Рік тому +1

    Thank you for sharing. :)

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому +1

      My pleasure! Thank you for watching 😃

  • @shipsahoy1793
    @shipsahoy1793 2 місяці тому

    Viola is very cool it and it certainly doesn't get enough love !
    but I like it even more that not everybody's into it 😉👨🏻

  • @clarazhang0530
    @clarazhang0530 Рік тому

    Hello ❤loved your video! I’ve been learning violin few years as an adult learner almost finished Suzuki violin series. Yesterday my teacher mentioned casually saying you should learn Viola but gave me a lot of thoughts . Am I too late to switch to Viola ? I’m in 40’s 😂

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому +1

      Never too late! A lot of people switch to the viola later in life ☺️

    • @clarazhang0530
      @clarazhang0530 7 місяців тому

      @@heatherhawkenI got a viola after 4 months of hesitating 🤣

  • @Isaactheviolinistandviolist
    @Isaactheviolinistandviolist 11 місяців тому

    I play violin and i am fixing to switch over to viola just for a change of strings and to play deeper

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  11 місяців тому +1

      Do it! You’ll never look back 😉

    • @Isaactheviolinistandviolist
      @Isaactheviolinistandviolist 11 місяців тому

      @@heatherhawken thank you and subscribe to my channel when you have the chance to see my violin/viola videos 🎻🎻🎻

  • @anthonyclegg1511
    @anthonyclegg1511 10 місяців тому +1

    The violin is hung on the wall. I play viola now by ear. Lovely sound and not screechy. 💓🎻.

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  10 місяців тому

      Yes those wall mounts seem really great

  • @VeryAllegro
    @VeryAllegro Рік тому

    My professor teaches both. But I will keep it in mind. 👍

  • @michaelblaney4461
    @michaelblaney4461 Рік тому

    If you are not going to play classical music would a 5 string Viola be better for Celtic or Ameican Fiddle music you would have a larger range 😊

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому

      So they’re absolutely useful for that! I haven’t ever seen a really good quality one… they tend to sacrifice quality for the sake of versatility

  • @Janthecat
    @Janthecat 4 місяці тому

    I was taught viola as a beginner

  • @nickiemcnichols5397
    @nickiemcnichols5397 5 місяців тому

    I’ve considered playing the viola, but I can’t afford it.

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  5 місяців тому

      It can get pricey… depending on where you live there can be a lot of help available, especially when it comes to sourcing an instrument x

    • @nickiemcnichols5397
      @nickiemcnichols5397 5 місяців тому

      @@heatherhawken would you believe this whole state just lost its entirety of grants for the arts? Yep.

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  4 місяці тому

      @@nickiemcnichols5397 Oh I'm so sorry 😔

    • @nickiemcnichols5397
      @nickiemcnichols5397 4 місяці тому

      @@heatherhawken yep. Bye bye to $36 million, and lots of good jobs. It’ll wreck a good part of our economy.

  • @yooogort
    @yooogort Рік тому

    We've lost another one to the dark side

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  Рік тому

      But they have cookies…

    • @yooogort
      @yooogort Рік тому

      @@heatherhawken oh well I might join

  • @lorcanzepf7828
    @lorcanzepf7828 7 місяців тому

    sooooo basicaly viola players are the classical version of a bass guitarist

    • @heatherhawken
      @heatherhawken  7 місяців тому +1

      Haha yep! Everyone loves to take the mickey but they all need us 😉

    • @nickiemcnichols5397
      @nickiemcnichols5397 5 місяців тому

      The harmony to the melody?

    • @lorcanzepf7828
      @lorcanzepf7828 4 місяці тому

      @@nickiemcnichols5397 that too but I was more talking about Heather's response