My beginning with the viola ,Bach,suite 1 viola solo

[kaavest]

I have six of theese pieces in my account, the thing is just to practise them steadily and over time until you get deeper in the understanding of how they are to be playing. Try different angles in how to play them and find out what you like best and play them over time and steadily, i play them after worc ewery day and have done that for years. A good rom is also a good thing and i avoid playing them straight upon the wall etc. Have fun in the pieces well played:)

[Goddess0Skella]

...So much better than me... ;A;

[megefoofoo1]

my music teacher plays this song every day i love it :D

[pviola314]

Yes, the bach suites brought me to music and the viola too! I wasn't a musician though.

[cacj1]

teach people how to play the song



[ANYULA]

you move your fingers a lot.... like me. I study cello and this fall is a waste of time to come in the right moment to the ropes

[sherom]

Bravo !

[StephenRedrobe]

Well done, Xavier.

[danielwowman]

it actuly isnt a big violin it has its own sound that are very hard to control the tone with.

[catnip4life56]

some of your fingerings should be fixed and you need to drop your shoulder and you need to hold you boe correctly

[natikosas]

it sounds better than violin xD

Thx for the vid.

[tomkid2]

i saw ur comment on the learners video about the bach, suite 1, i play viola and have done for years, so i was just wondering where you got ur music from?

please reply!!!

[cogermax91]

super et bon courage pour la suite !!!!!!!

[stylemechic]

same here high five gurl!!! im 13 this song is so pwetty!!

[siqueirarenan]

Go ahead man! you are doing great for a "begginer".. lol

I record myself playing this peace on violin, but bach didn't chose this tone for nothing... so the transcription doesn't work so well, but i love to play this song!!!

[NSUViolist]

I fear that you took Bach out of this piece and just played notes. The slurs that Bach wrote, the emphasis he wanted on certain notes, they were all intentional.

[Dotcom00]

Actually Bach wasnt very careful with his slurs, but yeah youre right, emphasis is needed on certain notes and the performer needs to work on his articulation a bit more

[jallaire1]

hmm (:

[belthazar02]

deberia de tocar con mas legato aparte de revisar las digitaciones y hacer bien los arcos y mejorar mucho mucho la digitacion

[Diplomatica36]

Very good! I just think u should get a bigger viola...By the way...could you send me the music sheet...I already have one version but for some reason I think yours might be better.

[violabrain]

You may have already heard this and considering the age of the video have likely already corrected it (if still playing viola). Be careful of your posture. You'll have some killer pain in your neck with your head turned like that. Holding the viola is different than the violin. To compensate for the length of the instrument, you have to bring the viola lower and more towards center of your body.

[gotorm2]

But still great work indeed. I also play on instrument and I know how hard it is so keep up with good work and best wishes!

[xeygarz]

still nice playing. if u play it on cello tho, the sound is much richer and fuller than the upper strings could ever reach. i play viola too. and violin and learning cello

[gotorm2]

By your finger I can say you are professionalist. But it is something with the bow, I don't really can say it but it is something wrong.

[xeygarz]

using shoulder instead of elbow. that's what it is. beginner mistake.

[TICKTOCKJOCK]

Earthy. I like to experience seeing the instrument being played, and if I am lucky, if I get attuned, I see maybe a hint of Black Forest or many other pleasant things. Thank you. A real treat.

[OriginalMoonbeam]

Looks like you are doing great...listen to your teacher..if you don't have one get one because and don't listen to the Youtube "experts".

[xaav]

Thank's for your judicious advice.

Really ,it's interesting to record himself on a video to see problems in the playing.Indeed the external perception differ of the internal .But i like criticisms when it allows me to advance.

[xeygarz]

i know. same here. constructive can be very helpful

[alexthegreat490]

Play in a mirror and watch your wrist, work on keeping it straight.

[jmarmold]

One violist to another, good job. For just beginning on your journey you have a good mastery of the fundamentals. I recommend a little less pressure with the bow and perhaps less tension, you'll get a smoother sound. Also a little less vibrato on the closing chord, just roll cg to gd to da and then vibrate the eb combo slightly. I wish you lots of luck, you have a great future,

[grandcarriage]

I think the question is, "Is there a technique to the playing a viola to emphasize the difference in vocal quality/tembre compared to the violin. It's such a judgement call...I've had violas that sounded like violins with a C string, and Violas that sounded very dark and mello...rather like a Cello Piccolo. What is your opinion on the matter?

[xaav]

Well,you should not force sound.

Basically ,i think the difference come from the construction of the viola :belly,bassbar,soundpost,heigh­t of the bridge,size and volume of the instrument.

I read anywhere an interview of William Primrose describing how the use of a A gut string instead of a steel string had changed the sound of his C string (an more open C sound )because the high tension due to steel string in high register did not allow the viola to give his full potency in the low register.

[BenDalmont]

i quote "well, you should not force sound"

thank you xaav

argh

[ZYHvideos]

try to make your music flow... and try sluring with no stops.. but otherwise you are off to a good start!

[atomicsnowflake]

I'm learning the viola, but I don't play the violin. My background is with flute, but I really wanted to play something different and I love the tone of the viola. There's something about a violin's E string that doesn't make me feel so good! :-D

Keep up the good work. I wish I could play like that! :-D

[atomicsnowflake]

No, it's not just a 'big violin'. It has its own unique qualities, but it is different in the way that a cello and violin are different.

Nice playing by the way. One of my favourite pieces.

[xaav]

I think you are right.viola is really particular .I think all violinists should try, a day ,to play this wonderfull instrument

[dolofonos]

What _would_ a 'big violin' sound like?

[Chivas45689]

hey i have a viola i am really good at it i practiced at school i can name all the strings!! The first one is c the secend one is g the third one d the last one is a!!

[Ackbarfangirl]

wtf...?

[bloodshotcow1]

I prefer cello, it's easier on my ears which are sensitive to higher registers... either that or I just can't hear too high.

[ThaSchwab]

Then I suggest never to listen to Dvorak's Cello Concerto ... *wink*

[Dracanic]

haha wow... ya

[amindformelodrama]

I play it, and enjoy it but lovingly refer to the viola as the transvest-olin

[allamericanarmy]

i play the viola and it is a bigger violin and lower pitched

[commanderkool]

well you could argue the viola (at bigger sizes) to be a small cello

[sheepbird]

well yes the viola is a big violin but by being a big violin makes intonation alot more difficult along with virtuosity. its alot easier and quicker to shift on a violin

[pikachoi2007]

Is this your first piece for viola?how long have you been playing the viola?

[xaav]

As you say:It's supposed to be ! but for me i'm sure it isn't.I think vibrato is something else than just a pitch fluctuation you could only get when you use hand or arm vibrato movement.

[Hippo724]

you seem to be playing a rather small viola. It seems to only be the size of a full sized violin, although that could just be my perception only. What size viola is it?

[xaav]

You are right:the body lenght is only 39 cm.

I think the ideal lenght to get a nice warm sound should be 42 to 44 cm

[sum30guy]

is it that my music is simplified or that this guy likes to shift for no reason at all?

[xaav]

I don't know...i didn't listen to your version.

[ickyyyyyy]

i'd prefer the term 'violin on steroids' as we like to say in my viola section in HS. and of course the difference of the C string and whatnot. anyway this sounds good.=) how long have you been playing?

[ashweirdo]

Cameron08812: proof that violinists are the self-absorbed component to the orchestra.

[TeamGoke]

sorry i mean all u people saying viola is a big violin, lol

[TeamGoke]

ok all the ppl saying viola is not a big violin because it was invented before the violin, so the violin is just a small viola

[InSaneTK]

viola is just a big violin

[dolofonos]

Why the negative ratings? There is little better way to describe the viola to anyone wanting to know in so few words as "a big violin." They're a part of the same family, after all. In any event, there is no need for such snobbery.

[IsaacBickerstaffEsq]

The viola isn't a big violin, because violin means . . . little viola.

It is, in fact, the viola family and the violin is its midget member, a dwarf viola.

S'truth. Look it up.

[pikachoi2007]

nice explanation...

[Lizherireth]

really nice...^^

[xaav]

When i made this recording , i bought this first viola 1 month before on ebay and made a new fitting.I just kept the old strings because i couldn't get at this time the new string set i ordered

[MudNova]

by the way, for how long have you been playing viola? for me seems like a year or less

[MudNova]

the double bass belongs to the same family and that doesn't means that it is better or sucker than violin or viola... i am a cellist and bassist, and i think the cello has the most beautiful sound of all instruments... but that doesn't means that a guitar sucks, or a sax... every instrument is different, every instrument has an advantage and a disadvantage...

[MudNova]

yep, they are very different, i prefer viola, but still i don't like it, and the fact that i don't like it doesn't means that it sucks... viola is different...

[xaav]

I think you are right ttay1122.when in a quatuor or an orchestra ,one voice is away ,then something is missing .

[aceconfetti]

the viola has a bigger sound so technelly ya bigger vilion

btw you playing vilion music?

[ttay1122]

relax everyone is fighting between whether the violin and viola are better than eachother, everyone has there own opinion, violins and violas BOTH serve a different and important purpose.

[violaplayer1995]

the viola is the most beatiful instrment! dont say shit about it like that. maby you THINK the best violists are violinist but thats because i dont really kno any PURE violist except for me. you cant compare violin to viola they may be in the same family but they are on different planes of dificulty and even price sorry to say.

[Cameron08812]

everyone knows the BEST viola players are violinists... look at zukerman

[Cameron08812]

so cellos and violas are superior to violins? why aren't their principals concermaster?... oh yea, bass... no c.

[jallaire1]

music is life....

viola is a celebration

[luisxulo2]

yo toco la viola y la postura es malisima no esta nada derecho en fin toca bien pero como un pollo xD

[bulboflight]

amen brother! ALL HAVE C's CEPT THE VIOLIN!!!

[Cameron08812]

bass

[dreamerx]

Violin + Cello = THE BEST ORCHESTRAL INSTRUMENT OF THEM ALL, BEHOLD: THE VIOLA.

[Cameron08812]

yea... that's why the 1st violinist takes concermaster and viola or cello don't.... and cello is better than viola... lol

[ifrit1780]

lol to me the viola is a child of a violin and cello. we have the almighty C string, and our A string can play some notes on the E string. =D

[ashweirdo]

hellz yes! Almighty C string!

VIOLA POWAH!!!

[Cameron08812]

violas suck... and half of you can't play the good viola stuff. play the american string quartet... don't steal cello music. they where here before you

[SeanMan87]

Take a look at the Urtext edition of the Bach Cello Suites, they will give you insight on bowing (which was the opposite of Baroque). The bowings that Katims uses are not suggestions. You also need to work on tone production, it was making me seasick.

[autumnfayth]

By no means is the viola a bigger violin. It sounds richer...and it's a fifth lower. A small cello-perhaps. But not a bigger violin.

I played Bach's Prelude in the seventh grade-and it was at that tempo. :) Sounds pretty good.

[xaav]

Could you please say me what are the other works you played in the seventh grade ;

So i could have idea for working some other viola piece in this grade.

[kookoocacapeepee]

i'm in seventh grade and i am only second chair. good job anyways

[ginettemarie]

you really gotta flex your wrist.

and dont rush, you were sqeaking a lot in the beginning.

[xaav]

I think so too.The Viola is really not just a big Violin and the sound owns anything i like very much.

I play Viola for now a little more than a year and i learnt to play Violin when i was young

[Bleachedrice]

why?

[violaplayer1995]

omg plz flex your wrist. u look so tense without flexing it.

[xaav]

This is a middle value French Thibouville viola in the 600 dollars US range

[efcboricua]

Only one suggestion... Change the viola. Although you showed that you can bring out a great sound of a cheap viola, it still haves that cheap and ugly nasal sound.

[violalord1]

A true violist must learn to unlock the power of his viola with great intonation and depth.

[Atheis01]

it's quite amazing for beginning!

[biapj]

vc tem que melhorar esta postura ta horrivel mas a sonoridade ta boa

num toque com o pulso flexionado nem olhando pros seus dedos você tem que olhar sempre pra frente posto isso pensando no seu bem

[Maerchenbilder]

My beginning??

I'm about to finish fourth grade and still are not able to play half a part as well intonated and full of sense as you do! Keep on doing that way and a hurray for adult pupils!!!

[xaav]

I said: with the viola,because i play also violin for a long time ago but just for pleasure too.

But seriously,it was the first work i ever played on a viola and it will be not the last

[violalord1]

that explains the shifting

[violapleasure]

Man is good, you have very good sense of the intonation and you have very good sense of the musicality in your Bach; is alive it does not make people sleep,you vibrate almost on all the notes something that mostly of the violist do not.

Only in the long notes try it or think like slow.... the rest;relax or better viola comes poco--- a poco.

[itskive21]

actually the violin and the viola are the same size... just that the violist has a bigger head xD

[vlnvlaclogbaerhpno]

well, unless you are like 6'8", then your viola is just a large violin. i'd recommend getting a larger instrument, if possible. slow down your vibrato and don't use it so much in Bach. and that right arm.....hold the bow closer to the end of the stick and please flex your wrist!

[chrstiangrl]

thats cool but relax your wrist a little bit k. oh and i also play the viola. i love to play the symp. 25

[lalarollo]

relaaaaaaaaaaaax dude, your head & your right arm looks tense but you´re great at palying viola keep it up

[Shadowtech666]

yeah the suite is not too easy, i read Alto clef and i have to play this one bass clef and on Viola!!! yeah so i got like the first 7 lines memorized so far, like 18 more in the suite

[Shadowtech666]

this song has no eight notes, its all sixteens expect for the last which is a G-B natural chord.... and you slu three sixteenths most of the time, not four

[i3enner]

Actually, the Viola is just a small Cello.

[Shadowtech666]

not nessisarily, it has the same strings, but they are one octive higher, and cello is alot easier to play lol.

[xx902]

why is the cello easier?

[Shadowtech666]

On a cello you have a longer fingerboard, thus your fingers can be a fraction of an ich off and it will still sound ok, on a viola, its much smaller and that fraction of an inch makes ok go to horible. Bass is ever easier in terms of intonation. I ment cello is easier to get in tune.

[xaav]

You are probably very right !

[TheTruePsycho]

my dear sir: After listening to these wonderful piece I have come up with an apropriate answer for you. The viola is not a big violin, in the contrary the violin is a small viola.

P.S. Notice i spelled 'these'instead of 'this' which denotes i am a retard, anywho great piece! =)

[metalerro]

yo toco viola y esto es la raja

[xaav]

Indeed, i'm rather novice in Alto world but i'm discovering a new repertoire specific to Alto even if a lot of works are transcribed either from violin (studies for example) either from Cello repertoire.i think this Bach suite is probably very interesting played on bass guitar

[johanhackman]

Well played! I didn't know you could play this on a viola too, since it's written for cello. I play it on electric bass, anyway. Keep up the good work!

Johan Hackman

Sweden

[jkky061190]

i8myshirt, youre right!! that right hand grip is really wreid.... humm... :D:D Anyway, really well performed!! (upss, maybe that's the baroque gripping... could you teach me by video how to do that grip?? I'm now playing Telemann's Fantasy I)

[i8myshirt]

Are you supposed to hold the bow like that? Usually I hold the bow on the bottom of the base (frog)

[Bleachedrice]

=.= um... Suzuki Method? But no one really uses it...

=====================(=)[ o[== - The bow

Depending on how well you bow structure is, whether flexible or etc. depending on music, your Thumb should be bent and at the area (=) which is a slightly above the frog. Your middle and ring finger should be sideways of the frog, not wrapped around. Also, the pinky should be bent and a little from the twisting metalic piece. the Ring finger should be around || to the thumb

[kisskid420]

good job, for better sound try Andrea rosin, gonna like it.

[Zoloft1]

violas hard to read :/ but if you just started thats pretty impressive if you just picked up playing period.

if you played another instrument :p then i see where this came from

[charlieau]

Dude, That was alright, but the second half was not too good. What sort of fingering is that?.. it looks unecessary. Try to go easy with the string crossings like lightly with minimal space between the strings that way you wont get any other noises and draw out the G string more to get the phrasing right. Yes you need more emphasis. I know cause I got an A for this peice during an exam years ago.

But GOOD WORK

[xaav]

About fingering ,i used the most easy fingering i could find.But,i prefer actually to not use to much position because i don't have landmark yet for the viola.i use also in preference the 4th finger even if i can use a open string

[charlieau]

Umm i think alot of violist would agree with me that this requires position work, i think its like 3rd or 4th position.

Bach's music is baroque open string is the integral element in this preleude because it gives bass and baroque music requires this.

Anyways I'm just telling what I think. Doing a great job.

[xaav]

I agree with you about positions:but no sufficient experience for me at this time:i just reffited this viola a month ago.Usually,i play only the violin but it's quite different for left hand.

[Bleachedrice]

That's normal...um, how many years have you been playing? A few stray notes, but relatively ok.