Printer-friendly version
Mendy Smith

First Violin Performance

September 26, 2009 at 6:01 PM

This Sunday at church I will be accompanying the youth choir - on violin. Not viola, but violin.  I've only played the violin for about 5 hours now and on occasion play notes a perfect fifth above what it is supposed to be.  Other than that, it has been a fairly easy transition. 

Picking out pieces to play on violin was more difficult than I would had thought at first.  I'm familiar with the viola repetoire, and it being somewhat limited making choices are a bit easier.  My first foray into the violin section of the music store left me almost breathless.  I chose some easier pieces that I had played on viola before and a few other "first concertos" in first & 3rd positions that I was not familiar with. 

At the end of the day though, my preference is still viola.  I love the richness in tone especially in the lower register that a violin just can't reproduce.


From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted on September 26, 2009 at 10:01 PM

Have fun! 

I started as a violinist and I still find it easier to pick out viola music too.


From Elinor Estepa
Posted on September 27, 2009 at 3:10 AM

ahhh..your first love (VA) is still drawing you in....


From Pauline Lerner
Posted on September 28, 2009 at 1:58 AM

I play only the violin, but I love the viola.  A while ago I played some music with a violist, and the sound of her instrument was awesome.  I was surprised at how good the two instruments sound when they are played together.  The viola is the only instrument other than the violin that I've ever felt interested in learning to play.


From Mendy Smith
Posted on September 28, 2009 at 3:05 AM

Update:  the performance went quite well.  But when I got home and played viola, I played a pefect fifth BELOW where I was supposed to.... arghhhhhh! 

This entry has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.

Facebook YouTube Instagram Email

Violinist.com is made possible by...

Shar Music
Shar Music

Pirastro Strings
Pirastro Strings

JR Judd Violins
JR Judd Violins

Los Angeles Philharmonic
Los Angeles Philharmonic

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

Dimitri Musafia, Master Maker of Violin and Viola Cases
Dimitri Musafia, Master Maker of Violin and Viola Cases

Anne Cole Violin Maker
Anne Cole Violin Maker

Violinist.com Shopping Guide
Violinist.com Shopping Guide

Metzler Violin Shop

Southwest Strings

Bobelock Cases

Johnson String Instrument/Carriage House Violins

Jargar Strings

Bay Fine Strings Violin Shop

FiddlerShop

Fiddlerman.com

Los Angeles Violin Shop

Baerenreiter

String Masters

Nazareth Gevorkian Violins

Laurie's Books

Discover the best of Violinist.com in these collections of editor Laurie Niles' exclusive interviews.

Violinist.com Interviews Volume 1
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 1, with introduction by Hilary Hahn

Violinist.com Interviews Volume 2
Violinist.com Interviews Volume 2, with introduction by Rachel Barton Pine

Subscribe