7 Reasons Why You Should Quit Violin and Play Viola- A Rant

This is an unedited rant. Excuse grammar and spelling.

People bash violas every day and I don’t get it. They are superior in every way to their counterpart, the violin.

1. You (probably) won’t have the fear of your E-String snapping and blinding you.

Basically, E-Strings are super thin and super nasty. They go out of tune so easily and every time you have to tune them you think they’re going to break. Plus those things are metal and SHARP. No thank you, I’m not trying to die today. Play viola.

2. It Sounds Better

I genuinely don’t understand how an actual person could pick up a violin and like it’s sound. Unless you have a strad, shut up. I know you hate the sound. Pick up a viola, and you’re in HEAVEN. Violas sound like an angel has come down from heaven and blessed your ears. Play Viola.

3. Less Competition

Think about how many violinists there are in every orchestra. There’s half as many violins. It’s so much easier to be the first chair of the viola section than the first chair of a violin section (you still have to practice, of course). It makes life so much easier. Less stress is always good, right?

4. You don’t have to deal with a teeny tiny instrument.

Violas come in all shapes and sizes, while violins only go up to a certain size. Violins are so small and if you are larger than a second grader, it’s going to be hard to play it. I stand by that.

5. People will secretly admire the fact that you can read alto clef

I can tell you right now, violinists are jealous that you can read an extra clef. Being able to read alto clef is actually really cool and gives you a leg up in future music theory classes.

6. You’ll get buff quick

Because violas are heavier, your arms and hands can get really muscly. You don’t even need to work out, that’s the best part. You can get your practice and exercise in AT THE SAME TIME. Tell me how that’s possible with a violin. Oh wait, you can’t.

7. Violas are way more important than people think

If you actually think about it, violas have an essential part in orchestral music. We have harmony, which is needed for a piece to sound full. This is absolutely a flex to the second violin section.

8. This Video

All in all, there is no reason whatsoever that you should choose violin over viola. Play viola. Be the coolest.