Comments on: Violas coming out of my ears http://jennifergrucza.com/blog/archives/2006/01/16/violas-coming-out-of-my-ears Web Development, Classical Music, Kitties, and whatever else I feel like Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:20:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5 by: suzanne http://jennifergrucza.com/blog/archives/2006/01/16/violas-coming-out-of-my-ears#comment-2968 Thu, 19 Jan 2006 17:53:16 -0800 http://jennifergrucza.com/blog/archives/2006/01/16/violas-coming-out-of-my-ears#comment-2968 Evah Pirazzi strings are nice, but they do sound slightly metallic. It's always difficult to find the perfect instrument for you, but when you find it, you'll just <em>know</em>! :) I like your blog. Evah Pirazzi strings are nice, but they do sound slightly metallic. It’s always difficult to find the perfect instrument for you, but when you find it, you’ll just know! :) I like your blog.

]]> by: Jennifer http://jennifergrucza.com/blog/archives/2006/01/16/violas-coming-out-of-my-ears#comment-2973 Fri, 20 Jan 2006 23:12:40 -0800 http://jennifergrucza.com/blog/archives/2006/01/16/violas-coming-out-of-my-ears#comment-2973 Thanks Suzanne. Well, I hope I'll just know. So far, I seem to keep finding nicer and nicer violas, so I suppose it hasn't hurt to keep looking. Thanks Suzanne. Well, I hope I’ll just know. So far, I seem to keep finding nicer and nicer violas, so I suppose it hasn’t hurt to keep looking.

]]> by: AP http://jennifergrucza.com/blog/archives/2006/01/16/violas-coming-out-of-my-ears#comment-2976 Sun, 22 Jan 2006 21:17:45 -0800 http://jennifergrucza.com/blog/archives/2006/01/16/violas-coming-out-of-my-ears#comment-2976 Do you have a particular piece of music you play that best helps you judge the qualities of the violas you are testing? Do you have a particular piece of music you play that best helps you judge the qualities of the violas you are testing?

]]> by: Jennifer http://jennifergrucza.com/blog/archives/2006/01/16/violas-coming-out-of-my-ears#comment-2977 Sun, 22 Jan 2006 21:42:04 -0800 http://jennifergrucza.com/blog/archives/2006/01/16/violas-coming-out-of-my-ears#comment-2977 I try to play a variety of pieces, to cover different ranges of the instrument (some instruments have a lovely C string but their A string is awful, for example) and to see how easy it is to play fast passages and double stops. Typically I'll play some Bach (cello suites), something technically challenging (like parts of the Bartok viola concerto), something to hear how the viola sings (like Schubert's "Arpeggione" sonata), and whatever else pops into my head. I've been playing some etudes lately, too, since they're typically the most challenging and tiring music I play, and help me determine if the instrument makes things harder or easier for me. I try to play a variety of pieces, to cover different ranges of the instrument (some instruments have a lovely C string but their A string is awful, for example) and to see how easy it is to play fast passages and double stops. Typically I’ll play some Bach (cello suites), something technically challenging (like parts of the Bartok viola concerto), something to hear how the viola sings (like Schubert’s “Arpeggione” sonata), and whatever else pops into my head. I’ve been playing some etudes lately, too, since they’re typically the most challenging and tiring music I play, and help me determine if the instrument makes things harder or easier for me.

]]> by: AP http://jennifergrucza.com/blog/archives/2006/01/16/violas-coming-out-of-my-ears#comment-2978 Mon, 23 Jan 2006 22:14:03 -0800 http://jennifergrucza.com/blog/archives/2006/01/16/violas-coming-out-of-my-ears#comment-2978 I <i>love</i> the Bartok viola concerto. Thanks to BB for putting the viola in the spotlight. I love the Bartok viola concerto. Thanks to BB for putting the viola in the spotlight.

]]> by: Jodie http://jennifergrucza.com/blog/archives/2006/01/16/violas-coming-out-of-my-ears#comment-5764 Fri, 02 Jun 2006 02:08:08 -0700 http://jennifergrucza.com/blog/archives/2006/01/16/violas-coming-out-of-my-ears#comment-5764 Ah... the trying out instruments stuff is hard. I did it this summer and I ended up with a new violin (2005) and I love it. My violin professor actually told me recently that he didn't think I would need to get a different one for a very long time. That my violin would probably last me through my professional life. That was a big comfort. I think you just know when it's the right one. I knew mine was good because the sound of it almost made my family cry. (In a good way) I also felt really comfortable. Good luck! Ah… the trying out instruments stuff is hard. I did it this summer and I ended up with a new violin (2005) and I love it. My violin professor actually told me recently that he didn’t think I would need to get a different one for a very long time. That my violin would probably last me through my professional life. That was a big comfort.

I think you just know when it’s the right one. I knew mine was good because the sound of it almost made my family cry. (In a good way) I also felt really comfortable. Good luck!

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