AboutDavid Expertise I mainly aim to answer questions about playing techniques--intonation,
vibrato, bowing etc. I am somewhat familiar with Baroque and Classical music, though not as much with Romantic. I am unable to answer questions about advanced music theory, violin crafters/brands or the monetary value of a violin.
Experience I have played the violin about nine discontinuous years. Most of my work has been orchestral, with some soloing throughout. I was principal 2nd violinist of the Disney Honors Orchestra in 1998, a six-time All-State Orchestra violinist, a two-time assistant concertmaster and two-time concertmaster of my All-County Orchestra. I also have perfect pitch, which I believe can be learned (though I do not claim to know how to teach it).
Since starting medical school in 2004, I have had fewer chances to play, but I hope to someday resume on a regular basis.
Expert: David Date: 8/4/2004 Subject: Violin vs. Viola (I'm a complete newbie)
Question Hi; I love listening to film music, and now have some software to create music - however, I don't have possession of seperate "string" sounds e.g. I don't have violins, violas, cellos and basses - rather it is an all-inclusive synth sound labelled "strings" - a very bad immitation.
Due to the fact that I don't play the violin, nor the viola, I cannot tell what difference there is between their sounds (both in solo and orchestral-section terms) - I try to compose things in my head (my internal "hearing" of music is not too good but I'm working on it) but I cannot find the use for violas, simply because I don't know how they differ to the violin in terms of their sound.
If you coud shed any light on this, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks;
Aleem
Answer Hi Aleem,
Actually, the violin and viola share many notes, such that if the same note were to be played on a violin and viola, they'd sound pretty much the same. The difference is in the range of notes: the very lowest note on the violin is called "small G", the closest G to middle C (below middle C). The viola, however, has a lower range extending all the way to "small C", which is a fifth lower than small G. So if you hear any notes lower than small G, you know it is a viola. It's hard to say exactly what the highest note on a viola or violin is, because one can move one's hand all the way up and play some high notes...but I think it's fair to say that any notes above "C3" (with middle C being "C1" and the next C up being "C2") are most likely being done by a violin rather than a viola...the viola can go higher than that but usually it's left to the violin because the violin is better suited to higher notes, giving a more brilliant sound in that range.
It sounds like your "strings" synth sound plays all four string instruments for any given note, rather than just one of the string family. If you have the option of getting a keyboard, I would highly recommend the Yamaha PSR-GX76, which has served me quite well...its sounds are amazingly realistic for the most part, it has a wide range of instruments and it's pretty easy to use. And of course it has the different stringed instrument sounds individually, though you could also pick an "orchestra" version.
I hope this is of some help, good luck in your musical endeavors.
Sincerely, David
