Is 8th grade too late to learn how to play viola -> details inside?

by admin on November 23, 2009

so i’ve been playing violin for 6 years now, but i was thinking about switching to viola, because i think i’ll have a better chance of getting into a music college, like Juilliard, if i switch. I also like the sound of the viola better than the violin. would i be able to learn the viola pretty fast if i already know how to play violin (by fast i mean a couple years)?

Thanks!

Of course it’s not too late! The two instruments are so similar, your experience on violin will even help you learn the instrument more quickly. The toughest part will probably be reading viola music, since it’s in a different clef, but I say go for it!

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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

Connor N November 23, 2009 at 9:33 am

It doesn’t matter ur the one who is ultomatly going to get the enjoyment out of it, so if u enjoy it go for it.
References :

monigets November 23, 2009 at 10:10 am

Of course it’s not too late! The two instruments are so similar, your experience on violin will even help you learn the instrument more quickly. The toughest part will probably be reading viola music, since it’s in a different clef, but I say go for it!
References :
Myself – Musician for 24 years (primarily violin, but viola as well)

Hiroki Hokama November 23, 2009 at 10:36 am

I don’t know how long it takes to learn an instrument,
every person is different when it comes to learning.
Just try it, it’s all I can say.
References :

safetyxpin_89 November 23, 2009 at 10:41 am

Not at all. Violin will probably come more naturally to you, but there’s plenty of time to master other instruments.
References :

MasterSW November 23, 2009 at 11:03 am

Nope, it’s not too late, of course.
It’s never too late to learn how to play an instrument.
Considering you have some good experience in playing music, learning the viola won’t be as tough.
And a great thing about having the experience is that at times, a violist might be forced to play music that’s written in the treble clef (even if the viola uses an alto clef) so at least you can read it and understand it already.
It took me about a year of good practice to get started playing.
I’ve played primarily a viola for my little chamber orchestra for about four years.
References :
Primarily a viola player.

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