LSO Master Class - Viola

Paul Silverthorne from the London Symphony Orchestra gives a viola master class for the KZbin Symphony Orchestra 2011 lso.co.uk/players

[@wisewhys]

It is so very gracious and generous of you to offer help to other musicians. So many musicians are jealous, competitive and territorial, because of the competition for positions in the orchestras. It is so refreshing especially to see a master freely offer help to others. I hope this is the wave of the future because the school system cuts have so negatively impacted music education, If pros don't help, there won't be a next generation. Thank you so much and your playing is so beautiful!

[@trumpsahead]

I'm 76 and learning violin, but looking forward to being accomplished enough to then get to my real goal which is playing Viola. I think Violas have the most beautiful sound of the strings. ciao.

[@themanamana81]

AMEN!

[@iaf4454]

True

[@sorariku0902korftw]

I would kill to have half the left hand control this man has. Simply outstanding.

[@andyholtz4710]

Take it slow, bro. The best benefit you could ever give yourself and your playing is the patience to know what you're doing :)

[@bernabedominguez7255]

+Andy Holtz true you always have to start 🐌 then slowly get faster thats what my teacher said.

[@rawlinsonboy]

I'm a saxophone player, not a string player, after watching this video, I really want to buy a viola and get lessons, simply fantastic!

[@Halo-lg7rq]

Bet I’ll teach you if you can teach me sax

[@elviiasgasjkd4417]

What a beautiful sound of our family of violas!! :))

[@watermelon990]

i'm in 8th grade, going on 9th grade and I love the viola so much!! VIOLAS FOREVA!! :D

[@jmkosan]

That tone makes me swoon. Such a well deserving fellow in possession of this incredible instrument!

[@sustradivari]

Great masterclass - we are so lucky to be able to access this. There are some really useful tips about how to approach spiccato bowing with illustrations as examples - Thank you Paul Silverthorne!

[@hinatalover12332]

i like the viola the least of all stringed instruments, but now i think of it as a beautiful tone.

[@antilles27]

This isn't a competition between Violin and Viola. They each have their place.

[@pviola314]

This master clas is so funny. I love this guy. Great artist... so creative and open.

[@ThePenguinExpress]

I PLAY VIOLA AND IM PROUD. I CANNOT VIBRATO, BUT I CAN PLAY INTO THE SKY, DEFENDER OF TIME, AND MUCH MORE. VIOLA IS LOUDER AND RICHER THAN VIOLIN.

[@incoherentthoughts]

-_- the fact that he has a British accent makes this even cooler than it is.

[@BrayanR918]

That is cello suite no 1 by j.s. Bach, one of my favorites personally

[@meranchoria]

I played viola for about 7 years but I haven't touched one in about 7 years either. I miss its lovely sound.

[@salasvalor01]

You are indeed a sage for the viola. I'm subbing because I envy your teaching style and also your character.

[@user-ty8gv3rn7b]

Thank You Paul

[@919dds]

Thank you very kindly! Appreciate being shown some of the finer aspects of playing the viola.

[@JamieJonesmusic]

Helpful for my son's viola Bach solos. Thank you

[@nickcallen]

Aaaa

[@orochimaru1485]

I have been wanting to learn how to play violin or viola I am leaning more toward viola I love the sound this is really cool

[@ohnobees8033]

Step 1: Acquire viola. Step 2: Legally change your surname to 'Clef'. Step 3: Have kid and name him 'Alto'. Step 4: When he is 12, give him the viola. Step 5: ??? Step 6: Profit. (Yes, I am aware that there is someone at the SCP Foundation called Alto Clef)

[@weirdface3838]

that's the first thing I thought of

[@desidariuserasmus4728]

I plat the viola and simply LOVE it!!

[@germanviola2315]

I had much trouble with vibrato when I was 12. Now, I'm 15 and I'm told my vibrato is the best in the area. I at first tried shaking my fingers but soon found out that that doesn't quite work. So, I learned that having a loose and fluent wrist helps form that basic sway needed to pull it off. Basically, keep a relaxed wrist and move your wrist in a vertical motion rather than a horizontal motion. I hope this tip helps as it helped me! :)

[@c.g.marseille4510]

many thanks to You Paul !

[@TheDevilsangelxx]

i play the viola, and i love every minute of it!

[@Sam-rq4dk]

@violinGeEkz The first day i found out about Vibrato i got it within a minute. I had already played relaxed, so it wasn't that hard. When i do Vibrato i don't really use my wrists, i focus more on moving my fingers in the one place.

[@yowzephyr]

KZbin symphony orchestra? I had no idea such a thing existed until seeing this here video tonight. So just now I looked "KZbin symphony orchestra" up in Wikipedia. Very interesting. Look it up.

[@akschauer]

@Bratsche2000 I think he was just giving overall advice on playing it in an audition. It was mainly for choosing a tempo that works for the entire movement.

[@andyholtz4710]

This is not a criticism at all, but this guy looks like he's torn between helping anonymous budding musicians and making "the man" a shit ton of money in some business scheme thought up by some freaking google team member. I love his humor and appreciate his input, which I have passed along to the viola player in my string quartet. And hey, if I read you right, I feel ya, bro!

[@MaidOfPasta]

I was wondering why my staccato in the Mendelssohn was so rough :P Thanks for the tips!

[@dannyviola6941]

Wow omg i love viola players I play too but not so much most times I get bored of playing alone

[@stevenXCV]

Beautiful old man with a viola

[@MrTeacoffee]

Amazing I wish i could play anything this good.

[@Same_ol_jee]

Beautiful viola !

[@HeatherMooreMusic]

The far space behind you on our right. I would love to play flute right there for a long time

[@givan742617000027]

This dude is classy as hell! :D

[@josecarlosrinca]

É até difícil fazer um comentário diante de tantos gênios,fica pois, meus cinceros parabéns aos talentosos!

[@violinGeEkz]

If you are anything like me, as I too have had trouble with vibrato, there were three main reasons that affected mine. 1. Tightness, if you are not relaxed vibrato is impossible 2. Space. When looking at your left had, the crevice between your thumb and index finger should not come into contact with your fingerboard. 3. Know Your vibratos. I know it sounds unimportant but knowing when to use wrist as opposed to arm vib. and vice versa will assist you in working less thus making vib. easier

[@elgatosucio]

He is really a MAESTRO.

[@sindy0812]

i really miss being in an orchestra. i wish i had someone to keep teaching me...

[@GalingPianoViolin]

the open strings on a Viola are C G D A like a cello (but one octave higher), and the Violin's open strings are G D A E. Basically the Viola is lower in pitch.

[@altagato]

That's right, no competition... viola wins hands down. None is richer an instrument held on the shoulder!

[@CarelessCapybara]

VIOLAS ARE AWESOME!

[@Cabbycabbage]

I agree with LZ181842 awesome sounding instrument, it was also Bach's favourite stringed instrument, probably due to the sonority of it's C string.

[@Scariestkiller]

@sindy0812 Yourself. You're the best teacher for your own mind.

[@MrMKH2010]

@Prickterow It is a 17 3/4 Brothers Amati

[@fpires7]

I have a question for Paul Silverthorne... I really liked his recommendations on Bach. Still, what does he recommend for playing for example Bach's compositions for viola da gamba in viola? I've been studying Sonata n.3 for viola da gamba, but I see several interpretations for that. Would like to read more about his opinion on that specific music. Also would like to hear from him if he has any special recommendation for playing adapted viola da gamba repertoire.

[@zman10892]

i aim to play viola y whole life im 13 and i love it. im the the best in my age group in the city.

[@ILoveTakeThat5]

The violin has a higher set of strings, being G, D, A, and E. The viola's lowest string is a fifth lower than the violin's, so its strings are C, G, D, and A. Also, the viola is slightly bigger with a more mellow sound. :)

[@nevermindwhoppl]

@theredferret05 Because viola is the best instrument EVER.

[@46anna1995]

Wow. I - just... wow.

[@Cabbycabbage]

Thats not a viola, he is a giant and has tucked a cello under his chin! Ha Ha Great playing one of the best you will find! I think the sound is awesome.

[@rodrigohenrique6807]

Linda execução e viola!!

[@connorss3898]

Your name is soooooooo medieval I love it

[@peacelovegenius]

I love playing my viola...

[@l4gotwhoiam]

i love the rich sound of violas :D!

[@JustyStoky]

That viola is huge is it bigger than an 17in?

[@johnlarden8485]

It seems like you truly are a master i am a violist myself and have trouble with vibrato. Do you have any tips?

[@PXRacer1]

I can't even play my violin without lifting up fingers to place the other one, I switched to viola, I'm so happy now! :D

[@carvindc400]

I have a 16" , and even being 6 4 tall it is very big. It is so different from the tiny violin I started with, but the tone and volume is awesome. One can manage, but taking some breaks to avoid some back aches :)

[@Honken]

As long as you keep a good posture, you'll be fine no matter what instrument you play.

[@SailZStarZ]

it comes naturally

[@46anna1995]

There better be another! I'm auditioning when there is!

[@DevilViolinist]

It has an awesome sound, very crisp, round and deep :) 99% sure it's the 1620 Amati - which is 17 and 3/4 inches, so yeah... bigger than normal

[@johannesgutenberg5993]

The way this guy holds his viola by the scroll makes me want to cry.

[@branflakes2600]

Johannes Gutenberg you mean by the pegs?

[@johannesgutenberg5993]

Black Knight No by literally just the volute.

[@Lucasbatanian]

That helped a lot! thanks for the advice! You are a very good teacher!

[@LaLaLaSmiles]

And Viola's at the top

[@Ww-ds9bk]

Cello!

[@CrazyLazySnazzyJazzy]

@Aurelius27x Well, viols are put on the thigh, but they are barely played anymore. They are similar to violas in the size.

[@gummygummybear9876]

I hope someday I can be as good as him!

[@yowzephyr]

@lolitaeviston I'm sure he appreciates your backhanded compliment.

[@NyappyHirude]

@20PhantomRegiment09 I wouldn't call it heartless. I think the violin has very shrill tones that can touch the heart if played correctly

[@MrInternetMan]

@sindy0812 Me too... I wish I didn't have to stop playing when I moved in 7th grade... :(

[@AllGrowing]

thanks so much for this interesting class!

[@36mphPossums]

i dont play the viola,because i cannot get one and everyone thinks ill just quit on it.but how could anyone quit on something that sounds so beautiful?

[@nahidsakib6490]

my homework is to write this all down lol

[@DaneBryantFrazier]

If it's anything like violin, it wasn't too tough for me. It just takes a little bit of practice. What I did was start out moving your fingers left and right repeatedly, slowly. Then, speed it up a bit. Hopefully the LSO will respond as they are a whole lot better than I am. But, I thought I'd at least try!

[@Hadrianus01]

that violin is huge!!!

[@BlueRoseLolita]

so lovely!~~ i all sow play the viola :3

[@Aurelius27x]

@CrazyLazySnazzyJazzy Wow, never heard of those before. Neat.

[@3dee300]

You are wonderful! :)

[@hectorricardodelacruzmonte2566]

02:58 and the next seconds... Gold.

[@Hadrianus01]

@KPudlo haha yeah i was trying (and failing) to make a musical joke. i'm a violinst myself ;)

[@Achilles__645]

That's a bigass viola.

[@mtv565]

viola is actually a "piccolo cello", that's why it can play Bach's Cello Suites!

[@TheMUSEfan117]

VIOLAS FTW

[@SonOfAHerbert]

Play viola!

[@bilyjoe205]

@theredferret05 i play the viola tooo it is really fun!

[@mrbeeboy2000]

Yeah we got a BADASS over hee

[@TJG1211]

A-W-E-S-O-M-E

[@MrSaliva1]

I myself is a Violinist, but I'm extremely interested in the Viola; why is their a competition between Violin and Viola? They're both beautiful instruments.

[@iaf4454]

Just teasing each other but thats all... haha no competition at all

[@constanzabaroni9960]

wouuuuuu que lindo

[@blanchimonts]

I hear playing -17 inch viola could hurt your back and make other health issue? I'm still figuring out what size of viola should i seu...

[@BlindTom61]

That viola looks huge! I am not a big man but certainly there is some sort of scale here I am not seeing and it isn't Eb...

[@granatov]

I am terribly sorry, sir.

[@carvindc400]

@carvindc400 actually, 16 1/2

[@Aaztha]

I wish i had a teacher like him v.v

[@mypinkjistring]

LOOOL Chinese Viola with Stradivarius in the label. Yep, I have that. :D

[@garrettkost6627]

wow lol my brain just exploded....

[@35171julie]

Love his viola. Would like to know who made it :)

[@juliosouza3598]

Muito bom eu não conheço nenhum desses métodos somente o laurex kkkk