Other than collage.

[nick94]

The viola isn't too hard--I would say it is easier to pick up (except it's bigger and heavier! ) than the violin in that it takes a few less years to make a good violist than a good violinist, and you usually don't need to go into the upper positions as often as in the violin (usually 1st, 2nd, and 3rd position are the most used viola positions, unless you are playing a concerto on the harder side). The viola uses alto clef most of the time, which if you play something in first position on the viola it is like playing third position on the violin (i.e. open "a" on the violin, which can also be a 2nd finger in 3rd position, is actually a "b", 2nd finger in 1st position on the viola). Hope that makes sense. In high positions, though, viola will use treble clef sometimes. The clef isn't too hard to learn--I have had to switch off instruments quite often and can go from treble clef on the violin to alto clef on the viola (or vice versa) usually without too much trouble. If you're interested, though, you should try viola--I love the tone of it, although my arm prefers violin!

Thanks! Maybe I will try Viola sometime!

[Ruddigore]

Actually I play three: violin, viola, and piano, although violin is my main instrument. What about you--do you play any instrument?

Indeed I do. I've played piano since I was seven. I also enjoy singing and have even had the privilege to take private lessons recently, which I enjoy thoroughly.

What sort of music is your favorite to perform? I enjoy romantic period pieces quite a bit.

Also: You mentioned the tone quality of the viola. I assume then that you've heard Hector Berlioz's Harold in Italy, in which Berlioz makes wonderful use of the viola's tone. I love Berlioz's music.

[cdautel]

Indeed I do. I've played piano since I was seven. I also enjoy singing and have even had the privilege to take private lessons recently, which I enjoy thoroughly.

What sort of music is your favorite to perform? I enjoy romantic period pieces quite a bit.

Also: You mentioned the tone quality of the viola. I assume then that you've heard Hector Berlioz's Harold in Italy, in which Berlioz makes wonderful use of the viola's tone. I love Berlioz's music.

I really enjoy just sitting down and playing the piano as well, when I get the chance or if no one is around for me to bother. I would say my favorite pieces to perform would probably be from the Romantic period, too--in orchestra we played Dvorak's 9th Symphony, Beethoven's 5th, some Wagner, etc. and all were really exciting to be able to perform. I also like the Baroque/ Classical period, too, anything with fast stuff in it, or cowboy/ hoedown music (a nice break from all the high-pressure classical literature!). Actually, I can't say that I have heard the Berlioz piece that you mentioned, or I might have heard it and not known what it was. I'll have to find a recording of it!

[Ruddigore]

Actually, I can't say that I have heard the Berlioz piece that you mentioned, or I might have heard it and not known what it was. I'll have to find a recording of it!

Do! It's worth all the effort. I'm particularly fond of John Gardiner and the ORR's interpretation with Gerard Causse as the soloist.

I've been learning a Scott Joplin rag recently that has been giving me unalloyed pleasure.

[Farmerboy]

I've been learning a Scott Joplin rag recently that has been giving me unalloyed pleasure.

My alltime favorite composer! I like classical music but there is something magical about playing a rag. Which one are you learning?

[Ruddigore]

My alltime favorite composer! I like classical music but there is something magical about playing a rag. Which one are you learning?

The Searchlight Rag, which I was first exposed to in a computer game, oddly enough. It has become my favorite rag of them all.

I must also admit to having played The Entertainer in the past. :o Someday I would like to learn The Cascades or the Sunflower Slow Drag. With websites like IMSLP around, one has lots of options!

[cdautel]

Do! It's worth all the effort. I'm particularly fond of John Gardiner and the ORR's interpretation with Gerard Causse as the soloist.

I've been learning a Scott Joplin rag recently that has been giving me unalloyed pleasure.

Thanks for the leads with the Berlioz piece--it helps a lot, especially with so many performers out there to choose from! Rags are fun to play, too--they tend to help the "unmovable musicians" get into the swing of things and move a little while they play.

[rickyjo]

You all lead such interesting lives
I work on computers, and tinker, and research, and read.
I lecture friends about the evils of big government and alienate my fellow Christians with my libertarian-ish views of things.
Sometimes I just look up quotes by Mark Twain, Malcom X, or other big thinkers and ponder their genious.

Incidentaly I connect strongly with a couple of you.

My brother is physically disabled, and a disability is a disability whether it is mental or physical. There is a lot to overcome with special needs folks...
Unfortunately I am very far removed from my family and rarely see him so I don't get to help or learn much. He is still with my parents.

And gay rights --- ANYBODYs civil rights is an enormous hot button issue for me. How the government can discriminate against anybody's beliefs and non - criminal practices is beyond me. That's another reason I've given up on government ever providing answers. We are at the whim of oppinion and politics, so the only answer seems to be a minimalistic aproach (if you can't win minimize the damage). Believe me when I say I was born a liberal minded person, and now believe that social programs usually fail.
Again me = libertarian-ish.

[bkbarden]

I work on computers, and tinker, and research, and read.
I lecture friends about the evils of big government and alienate my fellow Christians with my libertarian-ish views of things.

Wow... this sounds familiar. You should talk to my brother.

Sometimes I just look up quotes by Mark Twain, Malcom X, or other big thinkers and ponder their genious.

Hm... sounds familar. I also like looking up C.S. Lewis quotes.

My brother is physically disabled, and a disability is a disability whether it is mental or physical. There is a lot to overcome with special needs folks...

I have a special needs sister... though hers are mental disabilities as she has epilepsy. How old is your brother? What are his struggles?

[jwilson08]

I collect dust.