OCTAVE strings | turning my viola into a cello!

[@MarijkeViolin]

Feel free to drop your song requests here. 😁

[@violindudes.2822]

Bach prelude 1 please 🎶

[@MarijkeViolin]

Wow, that sounds pretty cool!

[@MariaVirginiaIturriPerez]

Elgar cello concerto mov1

[@BecauseHeLives39]

Bach prelude 1

[@drumnotatsujin81]

Shostakovich's 8th String Quartet

[@bridmcgrath5363]

She believed she coupd do it and she did!!!! Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us!!!!!✌🏻💙💙

[@MarijkeViolin]

😁😁❤️

[@solukhumbu911]

its really cool to see a viola sound "like" a cello . however if you love the lower octave sounds then you cant compare to the deep dark colors of the cello . get a cello , its a big beautiful instrument and has its once voice and rumble. :) -cellist/student

[@MarijkeViolin]

Learning another instrument takes costs time and money. I'm already putting a lot of both in learning the violin, so I'll stick with the violin. 😋

[@everest6826]

I’m a cellist student too!

[@catwhispurrer137]

Sounds curious, but imagine a 5-string viola with a low F string. Played with a cello bow for weight on such thick strings.

[@TACOINSURANCE]

Dutch girls have absolutely the cutest English accents in all of Europe. I could listen to you talk about anything all day ❤️

[@MarijkeViolin]

That's funny. 😁👌 (I myself like the Scandinavian English accent.)

[@shipsahoy1793]

I might consider a different bow as well as the different rosen for the octave strings... That’s an interesting experiment, let us know how you make out down the road.. thanks for sharing 😘

[@MarijkeViolin]

The viola came with a bow, but I think it's probably not even near decent. But I could put cello rosin on it... 🤔

[@shipsahoy1793]

Hi Marijke, I agree about trying the cello rosin, 👍it’s just that if you like the setup in the end, you may want to experiment with a different bow, too 😄. Anyway, I like your videos and can relate to them, being on a similar road of fun and experimentation. Cheers!

[@gregmonks9708]

Just so you know where these "octave strings" came from . . . strings were made for small-scale instruments for a long time. One day a light-bulb went off in someone's head, and they said, "Hey, let's put these 1/10 cello strings on a viola (same size instrument) and see what happens."

[@evelynpfriem8499]

I heard about your three year progress on the violin! Thats amazing! And good job starting the viola as well!

[@MarijkeViolin]

Thanks!

[@evelynpfriem8499]

@@MarijkeViolin you're welcome!

[@bloubear2557]

I just realized I have a cello, and started questioning why i'm watching this vid. hahaha

[@MarijkeViolin]

Ah well, curiosity? I wanted a cello sound without the hassle of learning a whole new instrument. 😆 But I still wish I had a real cello, although I wouldn't have time to properly learn it.

[@bloubear2557]

@@MarijkeViolin Yeah, I just ran across it, and actually finished the video. The cello is definitely worth learning, it's a whole new experience but it's an easy transition from the Violin to the Cello. Otherwise octave strings is a cool idea, a compact cello as how I may call it. Have fun playing

[@stephensheridan93]

Funny I turned my ukulele to a violin And I bring it and play when I go out every day! Love it Mrs S Happy New Year!! ❤️The Sheridan s

[@MarijkeViolin]

Nice to hear! And happy new year to you too! 🎉

[@eilidhbaird3542]

Touch the sky from Brave, you can do this and play the viola violin and cello parts!!

[@nocturnallsnake4228]

Speaking of your old electric, the Ex-Marijke... It has been 3 years since then, I was supposed to be playing the cello almost as good as you on violin.

[@MarijkeViolin]

Indeed, 3 years! Still playing cello or not so much?

[@seanjosephcawley]

Hi Marijke. Thank you for sharing this wonderful video. Those deep notes are amazing. By any chance would you know where I could find octave viola strings? The supplier linked stopped production after a company buyout it seems. I found a post online suggesting instead achieving cello sound on viola by doing this: 1. Tune Viola G3 to Cello A4 2. Tune Viola C3 to Cello D3 3. Install cello G2 & C2 strings. I am thinking of getting regular cello G and C strings to try that out, or perhaps just grabbing a set of 1/8 cello strings. Maybe I'd be better off at that stage just buying a 1/8 cello.. Any advice appreciated :)

[@Haileykp]

Hey, I just wanted to suggest that when you play the Viola and/or cello that you use more dramatic vibrato. (I didn't really hear much vibrato when you were playing, and it didn't really look like you were using enough vibrato either.) Anyway, I just thought I should suggest this to you, I hope this helps!

[@MarijkeViolin]

That's a good tip, thanks!

[@Gonzalo_Chalo_Luthier]

i agree, vibrato, light left hand touch, and some glissando motion (even not sounding glissando, but the attitude) helps me a lot to sound steady on the viola

[@starman2671]

IT'S ON MY WISH LIST, . . . . . MAYBE NEXT YEAR. THE CHINCELLO SOUNDS GREAT !

[@peakcarnival4534]

Waiting for someone to turn a cello into a viola

[@MarijkeViolin]

Haha, maybe a giant will come up with the idea one day. 😛

[@therealhelmholtz]

@@MarijkeViolin hi. You would need very thin strings that are same scale length of reg cello string.

[@leequanl.-scott6238]

Thanku for uploading this. On the side, I can play my kinda small viola. I get a little tired, of it not sounding like a cello, cause of certain viola jokes. Plus, cello was more used with jazz music. Now, I know if I take time out, I can have my viola turned into a cello.

[@MarijkeViolin]

Exactly! 😊

[@catwhispurrer137]

Do you know where I can find Octave strings? I wish to try this, but with a low F-string.

[@Unbridled-Whimsy]

I've been searching the web but can't find octave viola strings. I'd read in a comment on some other video that Sensi, the company making them, shut down due to covid. D'Addario bought it but only makes violin octave strings. I really hope another company picks up the C and F octave strings again in the future.. Would've loved to have tried them on my viola 😭

[@LeftyPencil]

Haven't tried it myself, but in another chin-cello video comments mention using cello strings with viola ones. Crowd is mixed on using 1/8 scale (seems commonly available), 1/10. Some mention no viola modding needed kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqaaZ5lsndZ_oMU Even the violin F is hard to find

[@LeftyPencil]

With the strings not available now, have you replaced these with fractional cello strings? Perhaps viola G tuned to cello A, C to D, with cello G and C Thanks as info since the SensiCore was bought out is scarce

[@MangAiren]

This looked a lot of fun!

[@MarijkeViolin]

Yay it is! 🙃😋

[@TheSIGHTREADINGProject]

Really interesting. Great that you can apply Alto to the Cello for now while you pick up bass clef. When I try to help my son out with his violin pieces and try to apply treble clef to viola, it’s like I completely forget the treble clef despite reading it for piano. I sit there staring at a note asking him ‘what note is that again?’. It’s like a ‘feel’ thing or reaction that disappears. Totally weird!

[@MarijkeViolin]

Indeed, the different clefs can get so confusing! I think I wouldn't have a hard time learning to read in the bass clef because it wasn't hard to learn the alto clef either. I think I'll do that this Summer during the holidays, when I have 6 weeks off. 😋😊

[@wasupdoc1738]

Imagine going from alto clef to treble clef when the viola music goes too high during a performance then back again. You have to switch gears.

[@mattieboy01]

lovely vid hun. I liked watching your face light up when doing this experiment and playing it as well.

[@MarijkeViolin]

Thanks! 😁🎉

[@Angelwrites]

I love that baby violin! Next time play it! I wonder if it’s playable for an adult. If so it would make a cute little travel instrument

[@MarijkeViolin]

It wasn't tuned at all, the strings were very loose. Otherwise I would definitely have tried playing it. 😋

[@VeganViolaPlayer]

I’d like to see a viola sound like a violin =))

[@Duncan-Mac-Raven]

Does this mean you have to use the Bass Clef as it's now a Chin Cello? 🙂

[@ivansarkany314]

greetings. i am looking to purchase a set of octave strings for my viola. where can i purchase one.

[@elmore707]

I think the key to getting the most out of the octave strings for the violin, in order to get the best tone quality/cello like sound is simply to have the right tools to work with. These strings probably do not work very well on low end instruments which already sound quite dull with regular strings. Esther Abrami used octave strings on her violin and it sounded amazing and pretty darn close to an actual cello I was surprised! but again, since she is a pro violinist, I assume her instrument costs atleast 10,000 dollars idem ditto for the bow. I think if you have a good quality bow and good quality instrument you can get the most out of it, and not so much in combination with a cheap instrument and bow. but how many of us have a spare violin and bow laying around with a value of atleast 1000 dollar plus? probably not many of us!

[@MarijkeViolin]

Totally agree! These strings will no doubt sound better on a good violin/viola. But indeed, I didn't have an expensive viola laying around, lol.

[@magdabem1553]

I've also seen Allison Sparrow trying the octave strings on her Stentor II violin (which retails at around 180 euro) and it sounded great as well. So, I believe it's more the skills of the player rather than the price of the instrument that makes your playing sound good. I'm, by no means, saying this to offend you Marijke, I know you're still learning, so noone expects you to perform like someone who's been playing for 20 years or more 😉 However, what I often see in beginners is that they think that if they buy expensive, more professional equipment, it will automatically make them sound better, which will not. What will actually make you sound better is regular practice, patience and time. And you can do just as well with your good quality student violin/viola👍

[@funtimenetwork]

Oh wow you have to dig so much more into the strings to get them to resonate

[@MarijkeViolin]

True, it feels quite heavy.

[@solukhumbu911]

bach prelude 1 or bach suite no.4 sarabande is so beautiful and easier to learn

[@allanploth6031]

Fun!

[@SebaGuitarist]

Interessant experiment. Zou je toevallig nog weten hoe dik die snaren precies zijn?

[@MarijkeViolin]

Hoi! De A en D gingen nog wel, maar de G en vooral de C zijn echt heel dik!

[@ivansarkany314]

Greetings. I am looking, searching, inquiring for weeks for a source to purchase a set of octave viola strings , for my 16 inch Viola/ Please help.

[@hanschristiaanhylkema]

Cool experiment! En uit ervaring weet ik dat Douwe altijd wel in is om te assisteren bij muzikale experimenten. :)

[@MarijkeViolin]

Dat was het zeker! En ik kom graag bij Douwe, hoewel Nandor daar de boel tegenwoordig runt, geloof ik.

[@ferabra8939]

Sounds pretty convincing to me....

[@NaliamCantero]

Wow, great info. Was thinking into go to a Morin Khuur or just make a monster-viola as yours. With octa strings. Now I'm messing up with complete start with a new but maybe not than great begginer instrument, or just upgrade a cheap Viola I had with the octa strings. Just a question. How long that strings hold the pass of the time? You upload the video almost 2 years ago. Strings are ok? Or you just had to replace it=?

[@MarijkeViolin]

Hello! I sold the viola after a month or two to a viola player. For me it was just an experiment and it ended it up sitting on a stand untouched.

[@NaliamCantero]

@@MarijkeViolin OMg You're a project addict! I finally get Octa strings to get G, D, A'(normal G to A), E in a viola body. Can't wait! I believe that huge bass C it's inusable with a normal bow.

[@MarijkeViolin]

Yes I am, haha! And that sounds cool! 👌

[@MarcvdMeulen]

Gaaf Marijke! Waren er veel aanpassingen voor nodig? Ik denk dat ik hier ook mijn volgende project van maak :)

[@MarijkeViolin]

Bedankt! Ik ben ermee naar de vioolbouwer geweest. De groeven in de kam en in dat houtje (nut in het engels) bovenin moesten worden verwijd, net als de gaten in de C en G stemsleutels. Maarre, altviool is mijn tweede instrument en deze ligt al tijden ongebruikt in de koffer. Ik wil er in december nog een kerstliedje mee opnemen en 'm daarna verkopen, de altviool inclusief octaafsnaren dus. Heb je daar eventueel belang bij?

[@MarcvdMeulen]

@@MarijkeViolin Hi Marijke, ik heb je mailtje beantwoord ;)

[@swlbarely]

Very interesting and informative! Thanks for your work on this. You did such a professional job of putting this video together. I would say it might be easier to get a good sound out of an electric viola when doing this because the electric viola is less dependent on the natural acoustics of the instrument. I strung one of my electric violins with viola strings and it was pretty good compared to trying it with an acoustic violin. Maybe you would consider trying a cello. My hands are not that big so I would try a 3/4 cello if I was to try it.

[@MarijkeViolin]

Thanks a lot! 😊 Good tip, an electric might work better. I'd love to try a real cello, but I don't think I have the time to learn another instrument properly, plus I'd be spending another €1000,- a year on lessons. So I'll stick with the cheap(er) and easy way. 😋

[@catwhispurrer137]

Okay, so OCTAVE strings are no longer made for Viola. I've heard that Thomastik Spirocore and D'Addario (who bought Sensi, the company that made octave viola strings) Prelude series are the next closest, but I wish to hear other people's opinions before making a decision. And that's the bad/mixed news. Good news is, I found my five string Viola that, somehow or another, I still wish to turn into a Chin-Cello.

[@violistanton]

Hi ! Thank you so much for this review! That is so cool! May I ask if these strings are still available to buy somewhere? I DO NEED THEM!

[@christophertsiliacos8958]

Here's a suggestion: Can you learn to play it as one would play a cello, that is in a cello upright position? That way, it'll look like a mini cello with a cello sound. :)

[@MarijkeViolin]

Tried it, but it's too small to handle. 🤣

[@christophertsiliacos8958]

@@MarijkeViolin 👌 😉 🎻🎶

[@therealhelmholtz]

@@MarijkeViolin what do u mean I play violin like that 😂😂😂

[@faithite]

So cute! It sounded like Teenage cello reached puberty. :') Good idea! I can practice cello without bringing my cello overseas.

[@frankb1]

This is so cool!!

[@gregmonks9708]

D'Addario, who took over Helicore, no longer makes octave strings. That's why every site says "sold out" and "don't know when we can get more in". The answer is "never". The alternative? 1/10 cello strings, which is what "octave strings" really were.

[@PopBubbleWrappable]

I really tried to like octave Sensicores but I just couldn't. Strings G thru E sounded okay albeit without much volume, and the C string was way too flubby. I think notes this low should be played on steel core strings, which is probably why the vast majority of cellists play on steel strings. I asked D'addario if they would make their octave Helicores for viola, but sadly, I was told they have no plans to.

[@MarijkeViolin]

I totally get it, it does sound a bit flubby. But it was a fun experiment. 🙂

[@MsCellobass]

Oh boy!!

[@botaco]

I am thing about doing the same thing. Do you think it would be better to use a cello bow on it given the weight of the strings. I am thinking of converting a carbon fiber viola.

[@rachaelbratsch]

Whoa!! Do they have them in XXL? I play a vertical viola.

[@MarijkeViolin]

Lol. 😄👍

[@rachaelbratsch]

I have to buy the helicore XL viola strings. This would literally make it a mini cello. What is the brand of those?

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

2:37 & 2:48 ! say everything O.O

[@Crabolinist]

Anyone also have issues with the Sensicore octave viola strings snapping by themselves? I went through two luthiers and at least two sets of the octave strings. The strings would just snap during storage over time unless I loosened them each time. I ended up buying some cheap 1/16 cello strings and although they don't sound as good, they don't snap.

[@MarijkeViolin]

Haven't had that happen yet (luckily, because they're not cheap!), but good to hear 1/16 cello strings are an option too!

[@bpdarragh]

Marijke Violin hi you mentioned 1/16 scale cello strings are an option. Are they literally the same as the octave strings but less money?

[@bpdarragh]

Are 1/16 scale cello strings the same as these viola octave strings but considerably cheaper? £120 (ish) in the uk is very expensive, plus the work that needs to be done by a luthier. I am thinking of just buying an octave/pitch shift pedal for my electric viola rather than these strings

[@miles01001]

Fun! Have you looked up a violoncello da spalla?

[@MarijkeViolin]

Yes, those things sound amazing! Unfortunately they are rare and expensive.

[@doneinadaycrochet9947]

you can get a deeper cleaner sound with a heavier bow

[@ivansarkany314]

Hello Where did you get the strings. I am looking for a set or two for the past two months. Please H E L P .

[@mccypr]

Do you ever get mixed up going between the fiddle and viola? In means of the fact one’s tuned GDAE etc.

[@MarijkeViolin]

Yes, it's always confusing in the first 10 minutes after I switch, haha. But it's not that big of a deal. 🙂

[@nocturnallsnake4228]

Jamming on Lindsey's! Wooow

[@MarijkeViolin]

😋

[@teasokolovska8099]

Any twosetters here?

[@teasokolovska8099]

I practice 40 hours a day

[@jennasantos8849]

Yup

[@michaelreaper666]

Very Interesting ..Thanks... :)

[@MarijkeViolin]

🙂🙂🙂

[@violindudes.2822]

Would you recommend this viola to a violinst who wants to just have one ?

[@MarijkeViolin]

It's a cheap student instrument, but it's decent enough.

[@emjeez8242]

How much does the wittner chinrest cost?

[@MarijkeViolin]

About €25,- if I'm not mistaken.

[@kaboomsihal1164]

If you have an electric why not a pedal?

[@jeremx7094]

Now if you own a double bass, make it an octave double bass ☠️

[@tharvgm6348]

Damn it sounds so cool, almost want to try it out myself, but like you said I guess it's pretty hard to play compared to a normal violin/viola :( Also unrelated, but have you considered getting a better bow? Used to have the same one as you (the Zlata CF bow), but upgraded it to a JP Carrera (got it cheaper at Zlata's shop since it is closing soon)and it plays and sounds wayy better. You're probably already aware of the sales, but might be worth to check it out :).

[@MarijkeViolin]

Yes, it's a real arm workout! And no, I haven't thought yet of getting a new bow. Might be something to look into. Indeed, Zlata has stuff on sale. Will have a look. 🙃

[@sabansabangangamevideos2764]

It sounds like a cello???

[@MarijkeViolin]

Yes, that was kinda the point. 😛

[@gwdodd344]

First! And it's so wonderful to see your lovely smile first thing this morning! Thanks SO MUCH for your fun content! Professionally done!

[@MarijkeViolin]

That is so sweet to hear, thank you!

[@emjeez8242]

Wow. you really spend a lot of money. Edited: thanks u all for likes😆

[@gensoustudio6270]

Ikr like damn!

[@stlouisix3]

☦️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿☘️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✝️

[@ShakerGER]

I mean sure this is fun and all but why not just play a chello?

[@shaybacklund8922]

Cello*

[@MarijkeViolin]

Simply because I don't have the time to learn another instrument properly. And I don't want to spend another €1000 a year on lessons. This is the easy lazy way in, lol.

[@sabsfabs4605]

0:01 me when its time to go home

[@outtabubblegum7034]

You are so cute! 😻

[@MarijkeViolin]

Well thank you. 😋

[@sabsfabs4605]

0:01 me when I got my minecraft toys

[@wasupdoc1738]

It wouldn't have the same intonation and depth of sound as a actual cello all because of the acoustics of the size of the body.

[@MarijkeViolin]

Depth: true. But the octave strings have the same range as a cello: C-G-D-A.

[@wasupdoc1738]

@@MarijkeViolin sure i know i play the viola or used to, I miss playing it in the orchestra loved the sound. Anyway Cello are tuned octave below violas CGDA. I'm just saying cellos sound the way they do because of the perfect or near perfect accoustic match between body size and sound produced. Same with violin. That's why the violin and cello can project their sound better than the viola. The viola should be about half the size of the cello and much larger than the violin to produce the same carrying capacity. Actually you can see an example of this with the new violin family, it has the viola in its correct size, but then it's played as a cello. KZbin it. It has this whole violin family it's quite interesting.

[@MarijkeViolin]

Yes, I know that. Octave strings can't compete with an actual cello ofcourse. But it was a fun experiment. 😉

[@wasupdoc1738]

@@MarijkeViolin yeah i do agree, i probably would do the same lol. I didn't even know you could do that tbh

[@iplixria3096]

How dare you-

[@wolfthunder2526]

Whaatt... 🤣😹🤣😹

[@ricochet4674]

I appreciate having a viola video... but why?

[@MarijkeViolin]

Simple: the viola is for a good deal similar to a violin. So I started learning that too. And with octave strings on it you have a full range cello sound, which is kinda cool if you ask me.

[@aminatopotato5675]

250 euros for viola and still not very good i play a 60$ violin since 2,5 years and it does sound ok nice vids btw keep up