26 replies to this topic

[Abigail]

I'm a violinist. I'm in a conservatory... and my major requires me to choose a secondary instrument. And I have nooo idea.
Any suggestions?
which of these 3 do you think will come in most helpful in the future? cello/piano/harp.

[Slawter]

Pianos would definately serve you well, a cello would be my second choice and i wouldn't really consider choosing the harp

Edited by Slawter, 04 November 2010 - 06:10 AM.

[EzioAuditore]

I don't play any instruments anymore, but the only time I've ever seen someone play the harp was at a wedding. I've seen plenty of other people play piano/cello, so I would say one of those two.

[Boggart]

definitely piano, very versatile. But Cello would probably be more familiar since you play violin already.

[Georgina]

Ive allways wanted to play the harp! Id personaly choose that but piano is pretty usefull. Also you could allways side line as a piano tutor if you got good to earn extra cash, im sure theres a call for more piano tutors than cello or harp.

[Ali]

As fellow violinist in my final year at a conservatoire, go piano or viola if you can. Keyboard skills are always useful and will help you through an awful lot of theory work. Viola will make you far more employable if you intend to pursue a career professionally. There are thousands upon thousands of fantastic violinists out there, far fewer violists.

Certainly wouldn't bother with cello unless your 2nd instrument is for interest only, in which case, go with whichever you want.

But from a practical viewpoint, I would NOT be doing as well as I am if it weren't that I'm a fairly decent pianist. I've needed keyboard skills a ridiculous number of times and the further you progress, the more so that's true. Doing high level harmony work without keyboard skills is a nightmare.

The other thing, is seeing if you can do a period instrument as your 2nd. In my first year, I did baroque violin as my secondary instrument. Probably only worth it if you have a particular affiliation with the period though.

[luvsmyncis]

As fellow violinist in my final year at a conservatoire, go piano or viola if you can. Keyboard skills are always useful and will help you through an awful lot of theory work. Viola will make you far more employable if you intend to pursue a career professionally. There are thousands upon thousands of fantastic violinists out there, far fewer violists.

*whines* Noooo not the dreaded Alto clef!
Honestly.. I always love the viola. Sounds much prettier than the stinkin' violin and it's screechyass E string.  
Count my vote for the viola.

[Sweeney]

I was going to say viola, but only because I'm uncultured, and consider it a small version of the instrument you already play, and therefore an easy ride.

[luvsmyncis]

I was going to say viola, but only because I'm uncultured, and consider it a small version of the instrument you already play, and therefore an easy ride.

Derp. The viola is physically larger than a violin. Omg, you are such a neanderthal.

[Sweeney]

Derp. The viola is physically larger than a violin. Omg, you are such a neanderthal.

I'm sorry. I can't accept that.
Viola just sounds smaller.

[Abigail]

ahhhh the alto clef!!!!!!
which conservatory do you go to?

my teacher suggested viola, but i think i really don't like it.
i'm wondering if its true if you know how to play harp you will also automatically know how to play piano.

[Powerrrr]

Piano would be the best.

[alphadark]

Piano is good to learn to play.

[Sweeney]

*points out that Ali is the only one whose opinion is even remotely pertinent*

[Ali]

In my 4th year at the Royal College of Music in London and I spent a semester at Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse de Paris.

It really depends on what your ambitions are I suppose. If you want to perform professionally (whether it be as a soloist, in quartets, chamber groups or orchestras), then you really need to reconsider viola. It's also the easiest for you because you already have the majority of the technique in place. You'll have to get used to slightly larger spacings and controlling a bigger instrument but after a few months, it becomes second nature and you can switch between the 2 at will. I've been playing violin for about 10 years longer than I've played viola and yet my gap in standard isn't that different. Violas are far more in demand and jobs are easier to come by.
If you really don't think you'd enjoy viola (you maniac, it's gorgeous), then go with piano. I'm of the opinion that every high level musician should have a certain level of proficiency on piano because it makes so many things a lot easier. You'll find a lot of theoretical things click into place a lot easier, harmony work becomes easier, it's a good thing to have if you ever to choose to teach as you'll be able to do your own accompanying. There are a lot of advantages to it. If you ever to intend to pursue music in a more academic context, they'll almost certainly demand fairly high level keyboard skills.

There's no point in you learning cello as a second instrument to be honest, unless it's purely for enjoyment. There are so many good cellists out there, fighting for far fewer positions. It's a popular instrument and a lot of competition and you will probably never be proficient enough to use it for performance. It's a waste, especially considering how much more expensive cellos are and therefore strings etc. It would provide you with no real advantage at all.

Umm, don't really know about harp, it's true that all my harpist friends are very good pianists and perhaps it does make it easier but you'd still need to learn completely separate technique. So maybe harpists progress at a faster rate on piano but it's not the same as a violin/viola which is a pretty straightforward switch.

[Slawter]

In my 4th year at the Royal College of Music in London

Wow, i missed out on a place there Bet it was an amazing experience.

[Philly]

A harp is beautiful to play, really. But you do get really thick fingertips from it. 

I'd go with Piano, though, since that offers many opportunities including playing a keyboard (which can simulate most instruments). Good luck!

[Ali]

Wow, i missed out on a place there Bet it was an amazing experience.

Depends if you particularly enjoy being shouted at by an angry Russian every week. That's going to be my main memory of the place.

I've loved it here but I'm not convinced I'd do it again given the chance.

[Lucian]

Cello/Bass and Piano. That way in your spare time you can jam out with some jazz musicians. xD

[Abigail]

wow, ali, thanks for all your advice. i'll reconsider viola. and this is purely for getting credits done, so i don't really think it matters which instrument i choose haha.

[Mr. Hobo]

*points out that Ali is the only one whose opinion is even remotely pertinent*

As soon I read this topic I was going to post 'ignore everyone and wait for Ali' but she got here too quickly

So instead I say this: Abigail, Ali wrote like 3 awesome paragraphs on why the viola is better, even if it's just for credits at this point from what she's said it's pretty clear it's the way to go

[Ali]

wow, ali, thanks for all your advice. i'll reconsider viola. and this is purely for getting credits done, so i don't really think it matters which instrument i choose haha.

Yeah, if it's for credits alone then of course, take whichever appeals the most. But keep your future in mind, you don't want to graduate, realise you want to be playing professionally and then fall down at auditions because every one else is more experienced or versatile. Violin is unfortunately an incredibly competitive instrument (although we're lucky with the sheer amount needed in orchestras) and the more skills you have, the better. I know a couple of violinists who have orchestral places come the summer, in viola sections.

As soon I read this topic I was going to post 'ignore everyone and wait for Ali' but she got here too quickly

So instead I say this: Abigail, Ali wrote like 3 awesome paragraphs on why the viola is better, even if it's just for credits at this point from what she's said it's pretty clear it's the way to go

I half expected someone to have said it but not many people here know me any more.

[flashraven]

I would say piano or harp. Piano because you can actually pave a career path as a pianist, and harp because...I love people who play harps as they always do it in an elegant way

[Abigail]

i kinda wanted to take harp, cause it looks so elegant.
and you can get paid loads for doing wedding gigs...

viola... hm... *thinks of the money*

[Ali]

Weddings, you're still probably better off with viola. I've funded a large amount of my living costs over the course of my degree from playing in string quartets at functions.