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I watched your video then I bought one in June. Now I watched this video again in the meantime trying to adjust the foot but it just snapped 🫠

Way back in the 1980’s, I remember hearing a chamber music concert in Jordan Hall, Boston. Ben Sayevich, Ron Houston and Andrés Díaz playing Mozart String Trios and Divertimento. One of my most cherished moments in music!

Why do people put expensive violins in viola cases? So they won't get stolen. 😋

Here's a question for you: I'm looking to turn a 5-string viola into a Chin-Cello. Of D'Addario's Zyex series and Thomastik's Spirocore series, both have a pleasantly deep "voice" but I'm looking for a note that sounds deeper than C, but I don't think they make one; any suggestions?

I honestly love that there are passionate violists who are willing to share their passion with others! That’s really inspiring.

Very generous of you Ron. THANK YOU!!

Is it possible that the setup of No 4 (the most expansive one) is unfavorable for the instrument? With a good sound post position and the best bridge it might turn out to be the most interesting of the 4. I am saying this, because it doesn't fulfill the promise of its good sounding open strings.

This is a really helpful video. Knowing that the finger going up is the faster motion really helps. I'm going to practice everday and check back in 3 months.

Thank you so much for your 27 minutes! It was very helpful to me.

I am only just beginning introductory vibrato exercises in my lessons, and I admit to having difficulty understanding/visualizing what my book is saying. Found this video and it's very helpful. I sent the link to my teacher who agrees that this tutorial is definitely worth utilizing. Her exact words: "This tutorial is outstanding!" Thanks for making it easy to understand.

could you please share the sheet? beautiful

#ViolaGang

Definitely past 26! Thank you so much for your shared wisdom on the instrument!

25, boy howdy! Thank you!

Thank you for explaining bowing technique so well, you have really helped me. Best wishes from Sheila in Yorkshire, England. ❤😊❤

This is brilliant!

Dear Ron, An enormous thank you for this extremely beneficial and invaluable tutorial, not to mention my gratitude for you making it available to us in the tenor clef. These scale exercises are so logical. Rather than challenge the brain, they assist it. Once these half step intervals are "baked in" to memory (muscle and otherwise), progress towards immensely improved intonation is so much less time-consuming. I wish I didn't have to wait over 60 years for your video; from the time I started viola in primary school, aged 8, not a single teacher broke this down as succinctly, simply, thoughtfully or as understandably as you do right here. The first thing I made sure of doing was to download your score and to print it out. I immediately added to my orchestral music file. I have no iPad yet because I just spent every cent I had on the viola of my dreams. I can live that for a while. In fact, it's been a blessing in disguise because it gave me the time to find a high quality 14.6 inch android tablet that uses the "mobile sheets" app from Google Play store. This app is the equivalent of "ForScore" for Apple. Going this route has cut my costs nearly in half. I have no qualms about paying approximately $26 for the ad-free, pro version of "Mobile Sheets." Again, a huge thank you for all that you do to help we die-hard violists to reach our goals more easily and more quickly. 🙏🎵🎻

I'm disappointed in everyone who thought this was a violin🤭 I love it you're amazing

Ronald you should be very pleased to have a student with this much tallent.

Thank you for another great video, Ron! (Yes, I watched to minute 26 and beyond.) I particularly appreciated your posting the IMSLP link for the book. I was about to look for a place to buy it when you told us you would post the link. Again, many thanks!

Thank you so much! So appreciate your gentle, understanding approach to learning. Still with you at the end!

What is the name of this book?❤❤❤

Thank you Eric, this was beautifully played! Kudos to your accompanist.

Ex.1. 2:50 Ex.2. 3:42 Ex.3. 3:50 Ex.3. 4:53 Your channel jelp me so much! Thank you ! Your explanations are very clear and i can understand everything.I am learning viola professionally but i have problem with vibrato and this video helped me to overcome it.

Wonderful. I enjoyed it so much. Such a challenging piece with all those shifts but I though it was so enjoyable.

I have a middle chin rest, and when I hook the chin rest under my jaw, it hurts. But my playing improves maybe 100% and my Bowing is so much better. But it hurts. The sound is better also. I use a baby washcloth to save my jaw but it’s still hurts.

I made it though the whole video. Excellent

Congratulations!!

Thanks, Ronald. I enjoy your videos. Double stops are beautiful. I need to improve mine for sure.

I watched the entire video, with pleasure!

I always enjoy your videos. The instruction is excellent and well presented. I always learn! Job well done!!! Thanks very much!

I watched the video till the end, and will try the practice soon. Thanks~

Watched to the end. Thanks for the tips 😊

Watched the video till the end, looking forward to practice the Polo-double stops. Thank you very much!

Minute 27 😊

MAKE VIOLA GREAT AGAIN!

I appreciate you, I'm here at minute 26!

Boy that's hard! Got there and will have some fun with them myself. Thank you sir!

Where did you find the music? You sound amazing!

Thank you Ronald!!

I watched start to finish and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing this.

Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial! This is the only channel that really helps me

Hello Dr. Houston, I have a question about this material. When do I use this stroke? Do I use it all the time or only for certain songs and playing? Also, when I am playing this stroke with a flat bow, my bow is unstable and tilting all over the place. Should I only use this stroke in tilted bows or do I just need more practice making it more stable in the flat bow and less tilting all the time, or is it normal for it to slight tilt and become flat constantly when playing with flat bow?

Thank you. That was helpful & I would choose the #1 viola for how it sounds to me. I deal in student instruments but set them up as close to a high level as practical. I bought a Chinese made 16" viola on a bargain clearance from my normal wholesaler a few years ago & after setting it up with an Aubert Mirecourt (#7) bridge & Pirastro Obligato strings (with Wittner Ultralight Tailpiece), I loved the sound & play it all the time now & to me it is similar to your #1 viola in tone. It has a large open flame to the maple which I find nice. I paid more for the better case I bought later than I did the viola (not including the set up fittings etc though). 😂 I find that the set up components & fitment can make or break the quality of sound too though. One of my techniques for testing is to play them like a cello between the knees so I can get an idea of the sound away from the ears as an instrument might sound good or loud near the ear but may not project so well etc.

I've got a brand new set of Dominant Pro. Going to put them on my viola tomorrow.

I have a problem pinky. Because of a contracture, I cannot lift my pinky high enough to get on top of the stick without forcing all other fingers to follow suit. That's not a good thing in my case. So, I have no choice but to let my pinky wrap downward as slightly as I comfortably can. This contracture can only be reversed through microsurgery that's not bad enough to warrant surgery (according to my surgeon). So, what else can I do with my frustrating pinky, instead? I refuse to give up playing my viola. I've been playing since the age of 8. Now I'm 69 and play in 2 orchestras. They need me and I need music in my life.

Thanks for the analysis and review!

Thanks for the review. I’ll give them a whirl

Greetings. Since good quality Viola string sets are on the pricey side, I always view Your string demos before I ourchasw a set, My first 100 % success was with the Warchall Brilliant set, fallowed by Dominant Pro and the Spirocore Thungston C. However, the Evah Pirazzi Gald I found that in both Violin as well as Viola is Anemic, sterile can not perform type.

Thanks for taking your time to enrich so many of us with this knowledge.