Fred T

I am an adult who plays violin at an early intermediate level but would like to play viola instead since there is more space on the fingerboard for my big fingers and I'm intrigued by the alto cleft and deeper tone. I have long arms at 37 inches so should I get a 16.5 inch viola? There don't seem to be many violas bigger than that. With violins there isn't this problem with all the different sizes.

I listen to our local classical station a lot, and it strikes me that too often modern conductors are - in my opinion - forcing the orchestra to play the piece too fast. It seems like the players are struggling to cram all the notes in at these too-fast tempos so that the musicianship suffers. It's a mad rush to the finish, and somehow it seems to me it would have been more enjoyable if a slower tempo had been adopted for both the players and the listeners. I was wondering if anyone else had noticed this and felt similarly?

Violas for adults come in sizes such as 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5 - what is the largest size? Why don't they have a standard size like violins? Violins come in 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 for children - why don't violas do that and have one size for adults? Why the different sizing systems? What size of viola is best? Don't the different sizes of violas affect the tonality or sound characteristics of the viola?

I had limited lessons on piano as a young child (two years) but have continued playing as an adult on my own at about an intermediate level. However, my playing piano from music is hindered by my frequently having to look at my hands to make sure my fingers are playing the right chords. I have good musicianship from having sung in choirs and I play other instruments (I currently play trumpet in a brass ensemble, for example). Are there any strategies or suggestions to help me overcome this need to be frequently looking at my hands? It's really hindering my able to do simple things, like playing hymns out of a hymnbook.

By everything else, I mean fish, poultry, vegetables, etc. This is what I've been doing for a very long time.