Viola or cello lessons - which is easier to learn?

[Anonymous]

I posted a question about cello lessons in the SN forum but thought I will try here as well.

We are thinking of signing my son who is on the spectrum for a string instrument lesson. We are thinking of cello, but a couple others suggested viola. Thought? We don’t play any string instrument and just not sure which is easier.

My son does not have any preference, and we are not interested in doing piano at this point. Thanks so much!

[Anonymous]

Maybe you could say cello is easier, because you play seated? But can lead to back issues. It’s also easier to transport a viola around. Can your son read music? Cello and viola are played on different clefs.

I really don’t think either is easy and I don’t know that either is a good choice for a sensitive person (I am a sensitive person and cannot deal with an instrument under my chin or with dealing with bow grip). I cannot deal with viola or violin because of the sound right by my left ear. Basically if there are any sensory issues or sensitivities, you might choose a different instrument altogether… like a wind instrument.

[Anonymous]

I forgot to mention a couple things:

Have you considered going to a music school open house or instrument petting zoo at the library or other community event? I took mine to a music school open house and he got to try cello, violin, viola, harp, guitar, and piano.

I know you said no piano, but I’d consider starting him on a keyboard. Piano is great for finger strength and dexterity.

[Anonymous]

Why not violin?

[Anonymous]

How old is your child?

[Anonymous]

OP, my SN son takes cello at Germantown Music and Arts. zit had been a phenomenal experience

[Anonymous]

I am a string player and will observe that for a beginner, cello is much easier and more fun to play. The parts are simpler, the instrument is more forgiving of intonation, and it’s really a pleasure to play. I’d choose cello!

[Anonymous]

Viola and double bass will offer the best opportunities to get into an orchestra, since there’s always a shortage of both instruments and it’s less competitive than violin or cello. Double bass also offers opportunities to play jazz, wind symphony, bluegrass, etc.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Sorry, I forgot to mention he’s 6, and he doesn’t read any music. This will be his first music class. He’s too young for bass. We are only considering violin, viola, or cello. I think there are too many violinists and hoping to choose something that’s not super common. Would like him to play in ES, and just want to get a heads up since it takes him longer to learn something.

[Anonymous]

He needs a birken

[Anonymous]

I played viola. We got no respect, lol. It was like it was just not a violin. That said, I would not want to have to lug a cello around.

[Anonymous]

In played viola growing up, my sister played cello.

Violin: Ubiquitous, which is good because there are always teachers available, there’s tons of music written for your instrument, and any music group that wants strings needs at least one violinist if not more. Often will have the opportunity to play solos and usually carry the melody. The ubiquity is less good because it’s easier to get lost in a crowd and many people play violin so there’s more competition for spots. Plays in “normal” clef (treble) which is good for transferring skills to other musical environments but won’t give you skills you wouldn’t otherwise learn. Skills are transferable to viola. Easy to transport; beginner instruments are affordable and easy to find.

Viola: Uncommon instrument, meaning you’ll often be learning from a violin teacher, playing transposed violin music, etc. Not always needed or wanted in ensembles. But less competition in big orchestras that are always struggling to fill in their viola section. A side effect of this is you’ll get no respect because everyone knows/claims it’s “easy” to gets viola dear. Plays in alto clef so you’ll have to learn a new clef if you switch instruments at any point but it’s helpful if you ever decide to take music theory — I dominated that very tiny section of my theory class in university because I could read all the clefs easily. Generally plays harmony (not good for kids who want to be a star but very good for ensemble playing training). In my opinion (which I biased), by far the prettiest range. Easy to transport, beginner instruments are affordable but a little harder to find secondhand.

Cello: Common instrument, a staple of most string ensembles of if there’s an instrument needed beyond violin, lots of music going back through European music history (medieval viola de gamba music is usually played on the cello). Players are generally respected and competition for seats is reasonable but not insane. Usually harmony/base line but there are opportunities for melody and solos; good training for both ensemble and soloist skills. Difficult if you have small hands (obviously your kid is fix but consider is family history for this). Plays a “normal” clef (bass) but you’ll likely learn tenor too if you keep at it. Difficult to transport — taking the cello case to the car dealer was an import stage in purchasing new cars when I was growing up — and more expensive instruments due to the size. My similar quality viola cost roughly half what my sister’s cello did. But any luthier will sell them.

Not sure what type of special needs you’re working with as that might inform which are harder. I love all string instruments so in think you can’t go wrong here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I played viola. We got no respect, lol. It was like it was just not a violin. That said, I would not want to have to lug a cello around.

OP here. Thank you so much for taking your time to write this. This is so helpful.

My son is on the spectrum, and he is not sensitive to sounds. I know a lot other ASD kids are.

Physically, he is “tallish” and has large hands.

I understand what you mean about violas not getting respect. I work in a HS and my kids advised me against violas as the y said the kids who play them get no respect and there are lots of jokes about them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I played viola. We got no respect, lol. It was like it was just not a violin. That said, I would not want to have to lug a cello around.

OP here. Thank you so much for taking your time to write this. This is so helpful.

My son is on the spectrum, and he is not sensitive to sounds. I know a lot other ASD kids are.

Physically, he is “tallish” and has large hands.

I understand what you mean about violas not getting respect. I work in a HS and my kids advised me against violas as the y said the kids who play them get no respect and there are lots of jokes about them.

Violist PP who posted the wall of text here. Yeah you just have to accept that you’ll be the butt of all the orchestra jokes if you take up viola. Most of us learn to laugh along/tell all the jokes first but if your child is sensitive to teasing I wouldn’t choose viola. It’s not meanly meant but it can be hard even for a NT kid who’s sensitive. Tall with big hands is great for cello or bass if he eventually decides to go that route and bass is another in-demand instrument although no one teases them for some reason. Bassists are more properly part of the rhythm/percussion that strings so once your son has had more exposure to music he can decide what aspects of ensemble playing appeal. I stuck with viola because I really love complex harmony and small ensemble work even beyond liking the sound. And string skills are fairly transferable! What lessons you put him in now don’t set his musical career forevermore.