AboutTodd Sullivan Expertise Hello, I am a NYC violinist performing for Broadway shows, symphony orchestras, opera, and sundry theatre/pop tours. I would be happy to answer your questions about anything related to being a performer in the music business. I play both violin and viola professionally, so questions on playing either instrument are welcome. The only thing I am not well informed on is information concerning instruments/bows...those questions are best left to luthiers.
Experience Professional experience includes a variety of on/off Broadway tours and shows, numerous orchestras, tours with Ray Charles and Ann Murray orchestras, leader of the 20-piece Todd Sullivan Orchestra.
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Fine Arts (violin) with honors from Carnegie Mellon University (1999)
Expert: Todd Sullivan Date: 3/24/2008 Subject: The tricks of the Viola...
Question Hello! I just got a viola for Christmas. I can play the classical guitar, but I've never played anything without any frets! And also, there aren't many violin teachers where I live, so I can't take lessons, at least for a while. So, I figured it couldn't be so different from the guitar and I labeled all of the half-steps with tape, but my notes are still not quite in tune with each other, even though the strings are. As a beginner, how should I expect my intonation to be? I've only heard professionals play, and I don't know what I should be comparing myself to. Thanks in advance, and sorry for being so uninformed about everything.
Answer A quick warning that the viola is very different from the guitar in finger spacing. The half-steps on viola are much closer, so if you put tapes to indicate every half-step you will end up with at least 90% of your fingerboard covered in tape. Like the guitar, the half-steps get physically closer as you move up the fingerboard toward the bridge.
I always hate to be the bearer of bad news on this forum, but violin and viola are not good instruments for self-starters. In fact they are terrible because of the unusually fine and specialized techniques required just to get a decent tone out of the instruments. Guitar, drums, and piano are instruments you can get going on before acquiring a teacher and I recommend these if lessons are not an option.
