learn to play the viola

I played for three years (never practiced) and started playing again after a break of two years. I am now playing in high school and am having great difficulty. I am trying to practice more often now, but my orchestra teacher dislikes me a great deal and always makes me do solos in front of the class to embarrass me (because I am really bad and the people around me have one countless awards and go to competitions al over the world). I would love to quit, but I desperately want to go to Yale University, and music is always a great thing to put on an application. However, I do not hold the primary position, so I am starting to think that this might weaken my application. What do I do???

I’ve been playing the cello for 6 years and I’m one of the two cellists in my high school orchestra. I’ve been wanting to pick up the violin and viola as well, but I wanted to try the viola first since it’s pretty much 1/2 way between a cello and a violin.
I just rented a new viola yesterday and I’ve figured it out pretty well. I’m trying to start learning vibrato pretty early so I can get used to it. I can’t really figure out how I’m supposed to move my wrist/hand, but I guess I’ll have to figure it out. It’s pretty weird getting used to Alto clef, since I’m used to bass clef.
I’m really excited about learning this instrument. It sounds so beautiful when played well! :]

I have already been playing the viola for 4 years in our school orchestra. I practice and practice and never seem to get any better. I still play at a fifth grade level (I am in 7th), and am frequently outshined by other players in the orchestra. My teacher is frustrated with me for ‘not using my potential talent’, but I’m trying, I really am. Oh, well, I’ll hang in there.

I took viola in fourth grade in school and loved it. Then I put it away and it wasnt’ until I was in my late 20s that I picked up a new instrument and tried again before putting it away. Now, in my early 40s I’ve finally put bow to string and am enjoying myself more than I have since I was a kid.

viola is practically my life.
i play piano as well,
but viola is my true passion.

I played for 2 years starting when I was 12. It’s a beautifully sounding instrument, much underappreciated!

I haven’t played in years, but it is like riding a bike, isn’t it?

At the distant age of 24, I picked up the Viola and wondered what would it be like to tread through the woods of the unknown in the direction of the string instrument. Perhaps great things are not in my view but there has got to be some hope for a starving musician.

First step: Getting past twinkle twinkle

What say you? All and any advice is more than welcomed.

i’m actually a cellist in my school’s symphony, but i play the viola in the concert orchestra (mostly freshman) it’s so much fun (and it’s practically the same instrument)...

I play the violin as a junior in my high school orchestra. We recruited a bunch of new freshman this year, about 15 violins, 1 more bass, another cello, and a single viola. Both of our violinists from last year had graduated, so my teacher asked for volunteers to play on 1 of the school instruments. Noone had volunteered, and me being the considerate person I am, volunteered. Well Now I must learn the alto clef and new fingering positions, seems like its gonna be fun!