I thought about starting a violists thread, but that seemed too selective (whether for common decency or for practicality I have yet to decide ;) ), so here I am with an appeal to all string musicians.

Questions (which I somehow feel compelled to pose, regardless of whether or not you feel inclined to answer all or any of them, disregard them entirely or perhaps even invent some of your own):
What instrument do you play? (Why? How long?)
Do you play solo or in groups? What sort of groups?
What music do you really like to play? Dislike?
Is the above any different from what you like or dislike listening to?
What is your favorite viola joke?

I am a violist, and have been one for just over nine years (that long already? Wow). I had been a violinist for a year before that, but soon saw the light (or perhaps the darkness ;) ) when my string orchestra conductor pleaded for some more violists, and I have been a happy member of the fellowship of alto clef readers ever since. I have played solo and with string and full orchestras in middle and high school. I did play with my college full orchestra for a while, but I intend to take the next semester or two away from the group. I have, alas, only ever dabbled in chamber music, though I should like to experience it more.

The baroque period is one of my least favorite eras of classical music to listen to, but I imagine that it might be fun to play with the intimacy of a small group. As a violist, I have a particular detestation of French composers, who do not seem to have thought much of my instrument (consider the Meditation from Massenet's Thaïs, Chabrier's España, and any number of other tedious and boring pieces). However, I have very much enjoyed Bach's 'Little Fugue' (Fugue in g minor, BWV 578) arranged for string orchestra, Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony, Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto, and Dvorak's Seventh Symphony. Also, I played in a pit orchestra for Fiddler on the Roof and I would love to do other musicals as well.

As you have probably surmised, I am quite fond of viola and violist jokes - such idiosyncratic louts as we do very much enjoy poking fun at ourselves. My present favorite is:

Q: What is the difference between alto clef and ancient Greek?
A: Some conductors actually read ancient Greek.

I was thinking of starting a viola thread awhile ago, but... didn't... for some reason. xD;

I've been playing viola for about five years now~ I'm in the Strings class at my school, and also the Chamber Strings group, and also my city's Youth Orchestra. xD

I LOVE viola jokes. That one's good xB There are sooo many of them, though... it's obscene.

Q: Why do violists leave their instrument cases on the dashboards of their cars?
A: If someone mistakes them for mafia, they might get some respect.

The guy at the strings workshop around here told me that most violists retire or switch to cello by the age of forty because it's a superdemanding job. o_o Also, apparently, I'm going to get carpal tunnel xD

I haven't had the chance to play a really wide variety of stuff, as much of that five years was spent only in school ensembles... I hate Pachelbel's Canon in D, but I think that almost everyone hates Pachelbel's Canon in D. >>;; But I love playing... moderny jazz stuff. It helps, of course, that I love jazz music, so... in the Chamber Strings group, we played a piece called Lemon Twist, and I LOVE it. xB

Other string instruments... I play the guitar, too, but I only started like, half a year ago or so. I want to learn how to play the cello! <3

Q: What's the difference between the first and last desk of a viola section?
A: Half a measure and a semi-tone.

Originally Posted by TheSatah

I was thinking of starting a viola thread awhile ago, but... didn't... for some reason. xD;

Well, I suppose that for the present we will have the pleasure of having a viola thread in any case (er, no pun intended :wink: ).

Originally Posted by TheSatah

The guy at the strings workshop around here told me that most violists retire or switch to cello by the age of forty because it's a superdemanding job. o_o Also, apparently, I'm going to get carpal tunnel xD

That is interesting, about many violists moving on to something else by the age of forty - I had not heard that before. I certainly have heard of the carpal tunnel problem, though with computing being as popular as it is, I suppose most of us might be in for it in any case.

Originally Posted by TheSatah

Other string instruments... I play the guitar, too, but I only started like, half a year ago or so. I want to learn how to play the cello! <3

Wow! You definitely have some musical ambition. I did at one time, but somehow it seems to have turned into an ambition to learn lots of languages (ancient Greek included). Ah well. :roll: Actually, I do have grand aspirations on the composition front, but so far I haven't done much more damage than compose a couple of viola trios (of which there seem to be a most unfortunate lack, given that in high school I mostly hung out with a couple of other violists).

Great jokes by the way. Here is one that was in the back of my Level 1 strings book:

A group of terrorists hi-jacked a plane full of orchestra members. They called down to ground control with their list of demands and added that if their demands were not met, they would release one violist every hour.