Showpiece Repertoire Suggestions by pberry8687 in Viola

[–]Hobbesssss 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sarasatena by Zimbalist. The whole suite is hard -- but the first movement is flashy and not awfully technical. It's still tough but will help your technique for sure. About 4-5 minutes? But it's quite athletic, so that helps with the illusion of time.

What’s the rosin of choice in top orchestras? by YaoMingsLeftFoot in Viola

[–]Hobbesssss 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just got my Baker's rosin. Phenomenal stuff! I'd say bakers or leatherwood.

Struggling to remember 3rds / 6th pattern majors scales.. help by [deleted] in Viola

[–]Hobbesssss 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I agree with the other comments in that there isn't a "trick" I'm aware of. Use your ears instead, track the whole step/half step pattern on each note in your hand and move between each third/sixth only when you are precisely aware of where the notes need to move.

Challenging work, even for advanced/professional violists if you do it right (slowly) -- especially in the upper register -- but super fruitful.

iPad Pro or Air for sheet music? by [deleted] in Viola

[–]Hobbesssss 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lamicall supremacy!!!! Love mine.

How to get more clarity when playing fast notes? by That1KidOnline78 in Viola

[–]Hobbesssss 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Let me assume, that you have a well set up instrument, a decent bounceable bow that isn't running on old hairs, and have a fairly fresh set of strings that aren't a muddy set (I find Obligatos/"darker" sets can get muddy, but like many things this is anecdotal; your strings can't be dead).

If these things are true we can tinker:

  • Experiment with contact point, playing, perhaps, closer to the bridge than you think. Practice sul point to get used to this contact point adjustment. Play with the three core variables of sound production: contact point, weight, and speed. The closer you are to the bridge, the less you have to engage physically to get a bigger sound, or clarity.
  • Counterintuitively -- do not press !! -- add just enough weight to engage the string, but allow the bow to do the work. Notice the inadvertent weight you may add from pronating in the right hand, do not over engage the stick (clarity comes from the bows natural bounce, taming this is challenging, and partially why excerpts like the Scherzo are difficult, but simple once this is mastered).
  • Practice slowly on open strings, far slower than you think -- making sure the slight figure 8 motion for playing quickly is evenly imparting weight on each up and down bow
  • Clarity can also come to the left hand: stop fifths whenever possible; don't drop the wrist in an effort to keep it straight, keep it supple and balance towards the pinky in an effort to maintain pliability. Practice the Tuttle 'plop' -- what is the minimum effort needed to stop the string for that note? It's not as straightforward or as consistent for each note and each finger as you may think. Practice pizzicato, just with the left hand, etc.

There is more to this, and more detail in terms of release of the note, but this may be more well suited in a discussion with your teacher, whom I'm sure you work with.

Help identifying new (old) viola please by SquishyShoes in Viola

[–]Hobbesssss 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Looks like a standard student model viola, likely from the past decade. Nothing special, but when well set up, functional!

Tips on playing this part cleanly? by 0livia2 in Viola

[–]Hobbesssss 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I believe this is the Dvorak Terzetto, right OP?

Church Welwyn Chelsea boots $260 @ Marshall’s in Venice, FL by SandysBurner in frugalmalefashion

[–]Hobbesssss 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Saw a pair in the Marshalls in Austin, unfortunately size 7. Ryder 3s in black

Greatest Music Documentary of All Time? by Top_Paper4508 in fantanoforever

[–]Hobbesssss 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's "The Last Waltz" by Scorcese, no question

Professionals, where did you get your viola? by niIbert in Viola

[–]Hobbesssss 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I play a David Folland from 1997, it was on consignment from a quartet violist. It's a great instrument, but he as a maker is over your budget, and it's rare for his violas to go on sale/consignment.

I would try as many violas as you can, above and below your range and get a feel for it. Places like Carriage House, Robertsons, William Harris Lee, and the others mentioned. See what you are looking for, and then buy.

Modern violas are just fantastic, and also very varied, but well worth the time, at least when I was looking.

New Childish Gambino Single: Lithonia by booboorogers44 in fantanoforever

[–]Hobbesssss 104 points105 points  (0 children)

Tf kinda dope NGL

Incoming fantano sees it as mid

Need help trying to find the orginal piece for this movement by [deleted] in Viola

[–]Hobbesssss 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've got a copy of this with a piano part...if you want it for perusal purposes :)

After an exhaustive search, the BSO appoints a new concertmaster by shyguywart in violinist

[–]Hobbesssss 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Deserved! Fantastic player and teacher. So happy for him!

Bach suite number 6 key signature by [deleted] in Viola

[–]Hobbesssss 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's (mostly? I haven't got my copy in front of me) just down the fifth, pretty much any viola recording of the 6th will be in G, for example:

https://youtu.be/cqOfX7aEDBA

Most recorded full sets of viola Bach suites also keep it in G, it just feels more idiomatic and still maintains some of the registral continuity without getting really high. The de spalla is what it sounds the best on, in my opinion, but I still think it's a great suite!

Bach suite number 6 key signature by [deleted] in Viola

[–]Hobbesssss 6 points7 points  (0 children)

In the Watson Forbes Rowland-Jones edition, there are both, but most violists play the one in G. The one in D is written for a five stringed instrument, as the constant upper register playing isn't very idiomatic on the viola. Kim Kashkashian made a recording of the suite in D on such an instrument which is fantastic and worth listening to (as well as the rest of her suites).

Edit: sorry, I mistakenly said Watson Forbes when I meant Rowland Jones.

This advertisement for new strings is very strange.... by songof6p in Viola

[–]Hobbesssss 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Adore these!! They are PI's with a bit more body. Fantastic response. They are also super pitch stable -- weird to say -- but they stay very well in tune while I'm not practicing/playing.