There are so many questions when starting to learn the #violadagamba and the biggest one is "Which size?". Jacqui Robertson-Wade talks through the various things to consider in order to help you choose in our latest #earlymusic video.
I, about a year ago, settled on Viola D'amore to learn to play. I love it so far. I'm still pretty early on in my string journey, but I'm learning so much so fast from my great teacher.
I just purchased my second treble viol. The first one got me addicted, the second was the result of having a little experience and being able to make an informed choice. My second treble viol is fretless (it came without, and I didn't bother tying them on), I went with modern strings tuned in 5ths, and I put fine-tuners on the thing. I bought my first treble viol because I'm old and arthritic, and it's much easier on this old body. The second, inspired by the first, is for playing original music and doing sound recording.
I played a little bit of campus' viol for my own recordings. Now, I'm getting my own treble viol for the string sounded instrument. Looking forward for mine to show up.
I also wanted a new one the Piccolo Viol a full 2 Octaves higher than the Bass Viol so it's the equivalent of a Treble Violin from the New Violin family.
I was just thinking my 7-string is a bit boomy for consort playing. I'm guessing the problem with a treble for non-string-players is that it can be screetchy until you've developed your bowing technique. I'd add that viols are easier to start on than violin-family because the frets help with intonation, and the bow hold is more relaxed.
Unfortunately, being considered to a social instrument is totally dependent on there being others available to play with you. In my locality the probability of that being the case approaches zero.
I've wanted a new one the 7 String D Violone (Contrabass Gamba, the G Violone is a Sub-Bass) that's one Octave below the Viola da Gamba and the 7th String is the same as the lowest A0 on a Piano although they now make Pianos that can play lower than that down to C0 and higher than C8 up to a B8.
The 5 stringed you mention is probably a pardessus de viole. French instrument who replaced violin ( women were not allowed to play violin, considered as vulgar)
Hi all, I’m a modern Viola player working towards my grade 5. However I’m really keen to learn the Viol along side this. Am I able to do this as a grade 5 player or should I wait until I’m a more experienced player on a modern instrument?
There are many early music instrument makers. Id suggest putting your money in their hands instead of ebay. Asian manufacturers pump them out looking beautiful but the varnish is thick and often the instrument is clunky and sounds dead. This also supports a luthier who knows these instruments, the periods they come from, has the skill necessary and only makes these. Honestly $2k american seems alot at first but it isnt comsidering youll be wasting $900.00 with a song brand viol thats essentially firewood or a conversation piece about how someone warned you.
@@Bowenfbry i play the tenor viol and was a student of Jacqui's many years ago.. i did start out playing the treble but moved to the tenor as i found it much more comfterble to hold. as of where to buy one i would contact your countrys early music shop. some of them might have some instock which you could rent/try out to see which one fits you. everyone is slightly diffrent and produces a slight ly diffrent tonal value so its nice to be able to try it out before buying.
You said it’s relatively easy to play and you quickly become able to play with others in a group. Why is that so? When violin is considered one of the hardest instruments and people sound terrible for a long time? Why is viol easier?
It might have something to do with viols having moveable frets and violin family not having frets at all, meaning that finger placement has to be more precise with the violin family or everything is out of tune. But I don't play either family, so take that with a grain of salt.
Early Music Shop really needs to publish some videos of professionals playing their instruments. It's a fascinating instrument, but they're asking a lot of money for instruments no one can try out or hear before buying, which is going to drive away a lot of potential customers.
