Here's a couple: which musicals have you done? I once entertained the idea of being a show pianist, didn't know how to get into it and dogs body rep work not really my thing, but I still (even now) have fantasies about playing in the pit for Les Mis, Mary Poppins etc, then rolling out into Soho after curtain down. And the other: which college? I was Guildhall, time of Bryn Terfel (yeah, massive name drop), much good it did me, ie. nothing whatsoever. Still, great time of hope and all that nonsense. Oh, and I have to say: I entirely disagree that qualifications have any meaning in the music business. OK, so an audition might ask you where you went, did you get an A- or B+ etc, but if you're good you'll get the job, useless degrees be damned. Music school is all about improving your skills to an employable (hopefully) level. I get the "creativity outlet" thing with videos - weird as it might sound if you ever looked at my vids (please don't), I get creative pleasure from the planning and editing process.

I follow you because I am also a Heather who plays viola too 🎻 Love your vlogs

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Wonderful video, I am getting this bag for Christmas and I can’t wait. Will you do a review or what fits inside after using it xx

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Amazing video, thank you 🤩

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I'm so glad the you received joy from this bag) we all need to project some happiness Congrats)

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Sending lots of love 🎉🎉🎉 congratulations on your purchase girl!!!!! ❤🎉🎉🎉

Hi Heather! This is the very first video I came across from you and without fail, I am flawed at your authenticity around being able to save and pitch something for yourself that so many other content creators take for granted. Well done and consider me a subscriber and supporter! ❤

Can we take a moment to appreciate Tilly in this video haha. How dare you move her little couch around! Move it back, immediately :).

If you have small hands and fingers, is it better to learn the violin than the viola?

It's lovely! Thought-through purchases of quality items that are built to last is a great thing to do if your budget allows

300 quid for a handbag? I can't get excited about handbags, but people would think me a bit weird if I did. I actually have a double-barrelled digital foot pump from Halfords waiting to be unboxed downstairs, I could do an unboxing video but my subscribers would insult me more than usual if I did. Don't leave it on the train. Or the viola for that matter.

Oh yes, that bag has style without being ‘flashy’. Good design is so enduring!

Soooo pleased for you Heather! Your hard work and determination paid off - thanks for sharing the moment with us. She's a beauty :).

This is actually such an endearing vlog. This wasn't just an unboxing, this was documentation of a dream coming true. It's actually really beautiful. You're exuding joy in every step of the process and I find that so lovely.

I'm inspired to pick up my violin again!

Reading all these comments from people who learnt instruments as adults is encouraging.

Booked my ritualistic Nutcracker pre-Christmas at the Colosseum a while back, then on the spur of the moment booked what must be my 25th Les Miserables for the evening before just a couple of days ago. Sitting a long way back at the front of the top tier, hopefully won't blow my ears out.

I just turned down some nice work a couple of days before christmas, it's scary but you need time off!

It is really hard to stick to giving yourself time off. But so worth it. Another form of self care.

I was wondering what you do to advance in violin if you are a intermediate player but can't afford private lessons?

Why not use a viola bow with a violin, will it reduce bow bounce?

I wanted to play violin. I bought THREE violins online advertised as 4/4 - they were all 3/4. I said even if the viola is 3/4, it's still gonna be closer to a full size violin (why are there so many 3/4 size violins advertised as 4/4?!) in love with this instrument. A heavy mute on the bridge: Oh my goodness! 😊😊

So informative helped me clear up so many things to look for to help choose a viola, tho I will say your beauty is very distracting

Would you suggest starting out on the viola if that is your end goal.. or to learn violin then to viola?

Looks like a cat! Stunning views throughout this video. Thanks for sharing :)

Thank you for this. I am getting back into playing my violin with a worship band. I needed to hear what was said. I have played with various bands over the years and have grown so much. Has to take a break for personal reasons. So I found courage again to step up in faith to do so again. I like what your guest said on many levels. So encouraging. Thank you.

Pull the rug out to cover all of the floor. Do you ever talk about viola any more?

your videos are very professionally made

I hope early music in the UK is still going strong

"expecting the entire section to snap a string" 😂

Been loving the recent classical music related videos!

Love your videos. Your passion for classical music is infectious. Keep spreading the joy 😊

Please give us a guided tour of your viola if you haven't done one already! What size is she? Which strings are on her right now? Where is she from? How did you buy her? What sound do you look for in a viola?

In terms of concert stuff, I like the standard sit and listen. However, I do like it when the artist(s) speak from the stage directly to us. I get thats what programme notes etc. are for, but I think it adds something

"Brass, we love you". Yeah, no we don't.

I love the idea of this set up. I don’t think my (amateur) orchestra could pull off something like this but I so wish I could show people everything that’s going on from a back row violist's point of view who hears nearly every single instrument. Hearing all these different musical lines come together is one of my favourite things about playing in an orchestra. I feel that innovative ideas that bridge the gap between the musicians and audiences are necessary for classical music to survive. We who love playing this music can only do so with an audience. New ideas might get people interested who wouldn’t usually go to classical concerts. So, yes, I'm all for new ideas.

Can you do how to choose a bow please? Thanks!

You don't know the Brahms concerto? Wow 🤯😯😮

Viola is very cool it and it certainly doesn't get enough love ! but I like it even more that not everybody's into it 😉👨🏻

hermosa

I'm just over a year into my viola-learning journey, and this may not last... but I voluntarily play scales because they help me SO much to improve my intonation and tone quality. They're just so useful! They give me such a motivating progress check too... But this is a drastic contrast to when I was younger, when, as a teenage pianist, I would have rather banged my head against a wall rather than practise BORING scales.

Thanks so much for the really useful video! Firstly, it's just validating to hear that this is intimidating even to more experienced/trained musicians than myself. If I had to pick a top tip, it would be the one on starting really early, when there is no pressure, and also making a habit of committing things to memory, as memorisation is a skill set based on a range of techniques. I've signed up for my Grade 1 on viola - Dec. 1st is the date!! - and am feeling mostly excited and positive! I don't have to memorise any of three pieces I've chosen to play, only the scales and bowing exercises, but I think I might memorise one just for the practice. On the subject of short vs long videos, I honestly like a blend of both, but I have no objection your longer ones because they're actually very information-packed and not waffly at all!

In my experience classical tickets are not too badly priced. RFH is probs my fav venue to attend. I've not paid more than maybe £30. And its easy for me to ge to as Waterloo is the London terminus from where I live. I'm glad you had fun!

Re your question, shorter videos are easier to fit in around viola practice! And thanks again

I’ve been playing violin only a year and a half before finding a cheap viola on marketplace. Is it quality? No but it is enough to tell me that I want to switch over.