Reply to Viola or cello lessons - which is easier to learn?

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[quote=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.[/quote]

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