Viola shopping

May 5, 2007 at 11:37 AM

I'm going viola shopping today. I'm pretty excited. Between my daughter's soccer game and a church rummage sale, I'm going to try out some new violas (no, not at the rummage sale!)

I've been surprisingly obsessed with this decision all week and it's been interfering with the rest of my life and with getting "real work" done. Viola, viola, viola is all that's on my mind.

The cello busker has come back a few times to the T-station and I've seen him there on my way to work. Yesterday he played the Prelude from the Bach cello suite No. 1, a piece that I had practiced myself on the viola the previous evening (as well as performed in church a few weeks ago and have been listening to on my iPod). Listening to him, I kept thinking "no! no! that's all wrong. You shouldn't play it like that. More soul! More slurs! You call that intonation?" Not that I said anything aloud, but I was also thinking, if he can do this, so can I.

Jennifer blogged about wanting to be more immersed in music; I'm feeling like I need to be less immersed. I hope I can find an instrument I like and move on.

Thanks to everyone who's borne with me and given me advice in the discussion thread about rental credit.

From Richard Hellinger
Posted on May 5, 2007 at 1:17 PM

I have that piece on my Ipod too! Good luck with the Viola shopping! I need to go shopping for a new bow and a new tuba.... just need to get the Money first.

From Anne Horvath
Posted on May 5, 2007 at 11:07 PM

Karen, you have Obsessive Compulsive Viola Disorder. Bless your heart. I hope your hunt for a nice viola turns out well. And having a trusting relationship with a good shop is such an invaluable thing for all musicians. Good luck!

Also, I do so admire your thriftiness. I come from a long, distinguished line of tightwads. In this day and age, our tribe is thinning fast.

From Yixi Zhang
Posted on May 6, 2007 at 4:33 AM

Sounds like you are having a crazy fun time, Karen, I believe sometimes too much of a good thing is just heavenly. Enjoy your viola hunt!

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