godzillaviolist
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Viola size?
hello,
for any violists here, what size viola do you play? How do you feel about your viola's sound?
Unfortunatly I play a very small one; 15". I'm hoping to get an 18" viola this fall.
godzilla
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1/4/2005, 8:29 am
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bratsche
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Re: Viola size?
That seems like a huge leap to me - a 3" jump in size, all in one fell swoop! But maybe you are really a Godzilla after all. Have you ever played an 18" viola? Does your 15" viola leave you feeling extremely cramped? (And have you ever played a violin?) My viola is 16.5", and I got really lucky because I love its sound, and have really stopped looking for another instrument since I've had it. I couldn't play one any bigger, though - I'm only 5'4".
Last edited by bratsche, 1/5/2005, 3:18 am
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1/5/2005, 3:16 am
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godzillaviolist
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Re: Viola size?
I'm really am godzilla- I'm 6'10"- but I'm not green, slimy, and I don't live in the sea. And yes, my 15" viola is really cramped 
I have to say I've never even tried a violin.
I did once try to play a 'cello on the shoulder though for a laugh...
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1/5/2005, 5:45 pm
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bratsche
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Re: Viola size?
Okay - 'nuff said, I guess you do qualify!
The principal violist at one of my gigs is 6'7" and plays a viola that tends to make conductors stare. It's about 18.5" (I think). All I know for sure is that I tried to play it once, and it felt like a cello on my shoulder!
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1/6/2005, 9:10 am
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lars2
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Re: Viola size?
Wow...an 18.5.. That would be nice. I started on on a 16.5", and now play on a 17.5. The good things about it are : it has a great sound, and makes people's eyes grow when they see it - the bad thing is finding a case for it, and it takes larger hands and fingers to play (which I have:-). I wish I could find a bigger one, though.
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1/6/2005, 11:12 am
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godzillaviolist
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 Re: Viola size?
It's really weird how hard it is to find big violas isn't it? I can't kind one bigger than 17.6".
I'm going to save up and have a 18.5" viola made for me once I get good enough.
But then what worries me is this; how will I find strings big enough?
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1/6/2005, 2:29 pm
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bratsche
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Re: Viola size?
Wow, cases, and now strings (hadn't even thought about that one!) ... Makes me glad I only play a 16.5" viola - and that I found one that pleases me, without breaking the bank (it was on eBay!)
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1/6/2005, 3:15 pm
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lars2
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Re: Viola size?
As far as strings go, when I recieved my viola, it had a bad D string, so I sent the company a note, and they sent me a 2 new sets of strings. In the meantime, I used a 16.5 D string, and it worked fine. I've been meaning to search for some Dominants, but I haven't found any pages that sell the 17.5's, if they even come in 17.5's. I guess the way to find strings would be custom made ... I read the last couple of posts about ebay. A couple of weeks ago I found a few 17.5 viola kits, not sure of their quality, though.
*Be aware of the physical risk playing oversized violas BEFORE buying one*
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1/7/2005, 4:38 am
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sweetmusic
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Re: Viola size?
I own a 1986 Richard Cartwright 18" viola and two Scott Cao 5 String Violas (a 750 and a 017)
---
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Emily's Violin Co.
4&5 String Fiddles, Mandolins, Accessories & More!
http://emilysviolins.com/
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3/4/2005, 6:52 am
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musical lottie
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Re: Viola size?
I play a 16" or 16.5" (not sure which) but my fingers aren't quite long enough. My arm has another inch or so in it though, so I'd like to try a 17" just to see ... But my goodness, 18" ?! Wows!!
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The difference between an amateur and a professional: the amateur practises until it's right; the professional practises until it never goes wrong.
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8/25/2005, 1:25 am
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