Violas are the underappricated instrument of the string family. They are always confused with a violin and when you are a violist you get annoyed explaining the difference between the two. Though the struggle is real when you are a violist, we can't see ourselves playing any other instrument. The viola is just too incredible to pass up.
Here are some of the daily struggles that we face as violists:
1. No one knows what the viola is.
Or if they have heard of it, they ask which one it is again.
2. People get the violin and viola mixed up.
It's the bigger one...the one that sounds lower.
3. You get complimented on your interesting choice of an instrument.
Yes, I play the viola. I am incredible, I know.
4. You never get the melody.
It’s usually just background noise, which tends to get old real fast. The worst is the impossible harmony to the melody that jumps all over the place.
5. Violinists tend to wonder why you exist.
Hey, without us, you wouldn’t sound so great, now would you?
6. When you do get the melody you feel as if you have found the holy grail of sheet music.
It seems way too good to be true.
7. You have callouses all over your fingertips.
Like a true string player, you have lost feeling in your fingertips.
8. Most conductors get way too excited that you are interested in joining their orchestra.
We’re a rare breed, so when you find us, you have to grab us.
9. There are never enough violas in orchestra.
If there are more than three violas in an orchestra, it’s a good day.
10. Because there are never enough violas, you rely on your stand partner to conquer through that awful harmony together.
Sometimes it can get real rough.
11. Switching clefs is the worst.
It just should not be a thing.
12. You find interesting ways to entertain yourself during rehearsal.
Sometimes, it's a while before you finally get to play or at least play something somewhat interesting. Those 18 measures of whole notes can get old real fast.