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Booked my ritualistic Nutcracker pre-Christmas at the Colosseum a while back, then on the spur of the moment booked what must be my 25th Les Miserables for the evening before just a couple of days ago. Sitting a long way back at the front of the top tier, hopefully won't blow my ears out.

I just turned down some nice work a couple of days before christmas, it's scary but you need time off!

It is really hard to stick to giving yourself time off. But so worth it. Another form of self care.

I was wondering what you do to advance in violin if you are a intermediate player but can't afford private lessons?

Why not use a viola bow with a violin, will it reduce bow bounce?

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! 😊😊

So informative helped me clear up so many things to look for to help choose a viola, tho I will say your beauty is very distracting

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

Looks like a cat! Stunning views throughout this video. Thanks for sharing :)

Thank you for this. I am getting back into playing my violin with a worship band. I needed to hear what was said. I have played with various bands over the years and have grown so much. Has to take a break for personal reasons. So I found courage again to step up in faith to do so again. I like what your guest said on many levels. So encouraging. Thank you.

Pull the rug out to cover all of the floor. Do you ever talk about viola any more?

your videos are very professionally made

I hope early music in the UK is still going strong

"expecting the entire section to snap a string" 😂

Been loving the recent classical music related videos!

Love your videos. Your passion for classical music is infectious. Keep spreading the joy 😊

Please give us a guided tour of your viola if you haven't done one already! What size is she? Which strings are on her right now? Where is she from? How did you buy her? What sound do you look for in a viola?

In terms of concert stuff, I like the standard sit and listen. However, I do like it when the artist(s) speak from the stage directly to us. I get thats what programme notes etc. are for, but I think it adds something

"Brass, we love you". Yeah, no we don't.

I love the idea of this set up. I don’t think my (amateur) orchestra could pull off something like this but I so wish I could show people everything that’s going on from a back row violist's point of view who hears nearly every single instrument. Hearing all these different musical lines come together is one of my favourite things about playing in an orchestra. I feel that innovative ideas that bridge the gap between the musicians and audiences are necessary for classical music to survive. We who love playing this music can only do so with an audience. New ideas might get people interested who wouldn’t usually go to classical concerts. So, yes, I'm all for new ideas.

Can you do how to choose a bow please? Thanks!

You don't know the Brahms concerto? Wow 🤯😯😮

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 😉👨🏻

hermosa

I'm just over a year into my viola-learning journey, and this may not last... but I voluntarily play scales because they help me SO much to improve my intonation and tone quality. They're just so useful! They give me such a motivating progress check too... But this is a drastic contrast to when I was younger, when, as a teenage pianist, I would have rather banged my head against a wall rather than practise BORING scales.

Thanks so much for the really useful video! Firstly, it's just validating to hear that this is intimidating even to more experienced/trained musicians than myself. If I had to pick a top tip, it would be the one on starting really early, when there is no pressure, and also making a habit of committing things to memory, as memorisation is a skill set based on a range of techniques. I've signed up for my Grade 1 on viola - Dec. 1st is the date!! - and am feeling mostly excited and positive! I don't have to memorise any of three pieces I've chosen to play, only the scales and bowing exercises, but I think I might memorise one just for the practice. On the subject of short vs long videos, I honestly like a blend of both, but I have no objection your longer ones because they're actually very information-packed and not waffly at all!

In my experience classical tickets are not too badly priced. RFH is probs my fav venue to attend. I've not paid more than maybe £30. And its easy for me to ge to as Waterloo is the London terminus from where I live. I'm glad you had fun!

Re your question, shorter videos are easier to fit in around viola practice! And thanks again

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.

Watching you from Canada, and I must say, I truly enjoy your energy and your content. Stumbled across your channel randomly, subscribed right away and here to stay :) I find your content so peaceful and delightful. And, I do agree, that once you get new gym clothes - you must try them out immediately! And on that note - fantastic form on your RDLs. From a certified personal trainer, nice work lady!

I really needed this. Thank You!

Gosh it looked looovely where you guys were staying

100% the prawn cracker is the vehicle for the rest of the food

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

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.

Great point about not needing necessarily to go for bigger violas, even as a guy. I was tempted to buy 16.5" or something because "I should", but of course it is going to be heavier than a 16" or 15.5", right.

Great tip about the fingertips vs the pad (middle).

I was taught viola as a beginner

Hi Heather, you've looked absolutely beautiful this entire vlog! Especially your glowy skin. May I ask what skin care / face things (ha) you've been using lately? Many thanks :)

Hi Heather! I just found your channel a couple days ago, & I love your vlogs! 🤍 thanks for another cozy video !

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 TH-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!

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?

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.

I've just stumbled onto you video & was delighted with your presentation & content you covered. I learnt violin (many decades ago) & in later years (decades) took up viola, because it was needed in one orchestra & then the next. Unfortunately, being used to playing in all positions on a violin was one thing, but it became a strain on a 16" viola. I was playing on a certain European brand (that I bought 'in the white' & varnished & setup) but it had a rather high rib & was essentially just an enlarged violin pattern. As I started playing more serious music on it I suffered from a ganglion in the left hand that eventually needed surgery to remove it, so considering that point, I would also encourage others to be careful about the size & shape of a viola they intend to buy so they don't suffer similarly. A couple of decades later (after a break from playing) my wholesaler had a brief clearance of a particular line of instruments & I thought I'd get one of the 16" violas. Yes, it was a student instrument from China (upper level of three grades). I already had one of that 'brand' (named by wholesaler) in one level down, a 15" viola that I modified to 5 string (with a top E string) & new they were nice for what they were, so after fully setting up the 16" viola (with Aubert Mirecourt bridge & P. Obligato strings etc) I was delighted with the resulting sound. It's rich & powerful & so I was tempted to get back into playing in an orchestra again (orchestras are always looking for violists), but being careful not to injure myself again.

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

There are 5 String Violins & 5 String Violas both tuned CGDAE & the difference lies with in the size

Geared Pegs would help alot

12:25 No! Don't dye them! You won't be able to get them back to how they look now. Sounds like a good excuse to buy a pair that are already black...

I can relate to the impostor syndrome. I am a Canadian who moved to England (father born here which makes me a citizen) & have an excellent job in the IT department at the University of Cambridge. They would not have hired me if I did not qualify for the post right? Right. Perhaps coming from the 'new' world I am still slightly astonished at the age of things here. Going to the colleges that are 800 years old (for example Peterhouse, founded 1284) still shakes my Canadian 'new' world mind ...

I need to take you to a Buccee’s