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.

Watching you from Canada, and I must say, I truly enjoy your energy and your content. Stumbled across your channel randomly, subscribed right away and here to stay :) I find your content so peaceful and delightful. And, I do agree, that once you get new gym clothes - you must try them out immediately! And on that note - fantastic form on your RDLs. From a certified personal trainer, nice work lady!

I really needed this. Thank You!

Gosh it looked looovely where you guys were staying

100% the prawn cracker is the vehicle for the rest of the food

Hi, What do you think of the electric violia? I'm wanting to learn to play for our low key worship band at church.

Yay, nice video! Violin player here who always wanted to play viola, but never had the money to buy (a good) one. And guess what? I'm starting violin making now ;) Re your weird 16 1/8 inch viola: That translates to quite exactly 41 cm, so likely a European model.

Great point about not needing necessarily to go for bigger violas, even as a guy. I was tempted to buy 16.5" or something because "I should", but of course it is going to be heavier than a 16" or 15.5", right.

Great tip about the fingertips vs the pad (middle).

I was taught viola as a beginner

Just found your channel and loving it! Very envious of you seeing Taylor too☺

Hi Heather, you've looked absolutely beautiful this entire vlog! Especially your glowy skin. May I ask what skin care / face things (ha) you've been using lately? Many thanks :)

Hi Heather! I just found your channel a couple days ago, & I love your vlogs! 🤍 thanks for another cozy video !

So yeah, I subscribed! Firstly, because I am a professional violist who switched from violin 30 years ago and never looked back. Secondly, because you are a fun and entertaining KZbinr and thirdly, because the comments are hysterical, enjoyable, and relatable! You seem like a good person who has surrounded herself with good people. Happy to be part of the family!

I can’t decide what to start with. I’m more comfortable with more of the pads of my fingers on the strings than the tip, I love the low and highs of the viola and that but also love the warmth of a violin. Should I learn the violin for a month and or listen to viola pieces, covers and jigs to see if I prefer the viola more?

After doing grade 8 violin myself in my late teens, it wasn't till after a couple of decades when my daughter needed help in the local orchestra playing viola that I took it up too. The other more advanced (semi-professional) orchestra needed more violists so I was playing there too. Yes, I discovered how different it was too & how fingering & playing was not the same, similar, but different. I did that for a number of years before stopping & doing some Scottish fiddle playing for a while (that was fun), but a couple (more) decades later I got back into playing viola in our local orchestra again, starting in 2020 before covid spoilt that (& then my health), so eventually started playing again in 2023. Now I do it because I know I need to, to keep my fingers from seizing up with arthritis & keep my brain active to hopefully keep healthy there too.

I've just stumbled onto you video & was delighted with your presentation & content you covered. I learnt violin (many decades ago) & in later years (decades) took up viola, because it was needed in one orchestra & then the next. Unfortunately, being used to playing in all positions on a violin was one thing, but it became a strain on a 16" viola. I was playing on a certain European brand (that I bought 'in the white' & varnished & setup) but it had a rather high rib & was essentially just an enlarged violin pattern. As I started playing more serious music on it I suffered from a ganglion in the left hand that eventually needed surgery to remove it, so considering that point, I would also encourage others to be careful about the size & shape of a viola they intend to buy so they don't suffer similarly. A couple of decades later (after a break from playing) my wholesaler had a brief clearance of a particular line of instruments & I thought I'd get one of the 16" violas. Yes, it was a student instrument from China (upper level of three grades). I already had one of that 'brand' (named by wholesaler) in one level down, a 15" viola that I modified to 5 string (with a top E string) & new they were nice for what they were, so after fully setting up the 16" viola (with Aubert Mirecourt bridge & P. Obligato strings etc) I was delighted with the resulting sound. It's rich & powerful & so I was tempted to get back into playing in an orchestra again (orchestras are always looking for violists), but being careful not to injure myself again.

I’ve considered playing the viola, but I can’t afford it.

There are 5 String Violins & 5 String Violas both tuned CGDAE & the difference lies with in the size

Geared Pegs would help alot

12:25 No! Don't dye them! You won't be able to get them back to how they look now. Sounds like a good excuse to buy a pair that are already black...

I can relate to the impostor syndrome. I am a Canadian who moved to England (father born here which makes me a citizen) & have an excellent job in the IT department at the University of Cambridge. They would not have hired me if I did not qualify for the post right? Right. Perhaps coming from the 'new' world I am still slightly astonished at the age of things here. Going to the colleges that are 800 years old (for example Peterhouse, founded 1284) still shakes my Canadian 'new' world mind ...

I need to take you to a Buccee’s

I assume the earplugs - which I've never heard of before in this context - are for pit musicians who want protection from the trombones, which sounds like an excellent idea. Sitting in a pit must cause catastrophic problems for naked ears. For an unprotected clarinettist at Bayreuth with those pests right behind them it must be hell on earth.

I have a hair texture very much like yours - on that cusp between wavy and curly - and I get on really well with something cheap and simple: grape seed oil! What works for me is letting my hair dry naturally, often in a low and very loose ponytail. Once it's very nearly dry, and whenever I fancy it if my hair is looking a wee bit fluffy, for example after brushing, I'll use some oil. For an extra bit of fun, you can add to the bottle a few drops of any essential oil that smells good to you! Put a drop or two into the palms, rub it and warm it in the hands, and gently run it through the hair. If your hair still looks fluffy and frizzy, go in with another drop, or even two if needed. The oil is very light and does not weigh the hair down or make it look greasy. Be warned: you won't get the perfect neatness of a blow-out without doing a blow-out. But you will get rid of a lot of the dry, frizzy effect and have bouncy waves and curls that have a sheen instead. :)

Very glad you're publicising the test/ear plugs thing, a fantastic scheme. Amateur here. Even so, I practise with an ear plug in my left ear, otherwise I can feel my whole eardrum vibrating when I play the C string, which is immensely distracting! Is this normal???

Whats been your favourite opera to play? I have only just gotten into it in the last 3 months or so and am loving it so far (I have seen 2 so far!).

It is kind of funny but coming from the states, being "close" to family is anything less than 8 hours drive. That is basically London to Edinburgh, So anywhere in the UK would feel close. My closest family is 12 hour drive, visiting my parents is a 25 hour drive non stop.

Hi. I'm a fairly recent beginning Viola-player, (I won't use the exalted term Violist yet, or for a long time), and have been trying to get a handle on the components of The Viola Sound. I've encountered a lot of verbiage but so far no videos that actually offer comparisons of differing Sounds. Specifically, well, Warm vs Bright (though I think that's pretty much self-evident), but especially Broad vs Focused. If you're looking for a topic for your next video, something like this would certainly be helpful for me and, I have to believe, for many other "Viola-players." PS I'm dumb as a box of rocks when it comes to computer stuff. Hope you get this message

Now I really want Scotch eggs

I'm jelous of your lovely sedentary lifestyle 🙂

For me, your talking and visual film is very much out of sync. I think I’ll have to just listen and not look. Oh, sweet doggie. ❤

YES, take the mystery out of being great.

Hey heather! 🎉

These are brilliant tips imo. Play walk away…language learning at its best (Ollie Richards technique which is foolproof works like this.). Enjoy parts of what you are doing. I needed to hear this as an adult viola learner with a fabulous Juilliard trained young woman who is analytical like you. My piano, I feel like I’m still learning when I’m stuck, re-examine fingering, assumptions about the music. LOVE your videos. Write down all your vibrato tips and will use them. Yes, the large back muscles. Keep doing these please.

Thanks Heather. You handle your finances expertly.💋

Why ear plugs?