Viola shopping - On a Budget.

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Permalink Reply by Erin Shrader on December 29, 2009 at 11:10am

Hi Lauren,

Well, I know for a fact that there are some good violas out there in your price range! I have a collection of violas in the office for a future article, all priced between $1000 and $2500. It sounds like most, if not all, of them would be an improvement on your entry level model.

I suggest you start by finding a shop that you feel comfortable working with. If there's more than one in your area and you haven't already found the one you like best, ask around for recommendations and make some visits to see who has things in your price range and who makes you feel comfortable. Don't forget to devote part of your budget to bow of comparable quality. It makes a huge difference in sound, and you will instantly feel like a better player.

Ideally, make an appointment to try instruments. Some shops are very busy, so they appreciate advance notice to reserve a room or gather instruments in your range.

Also, ask a shop about teacher commissions. Some teachers--certainly not all--demand a commission from a dealer on instruments sold to their students or they will not "approve" a purchase or recommend a shop. It's a sticky issue. While it is a good idea to compensate a teacher for their time and expertise (paying for a lesson spent at the shop trying out instruments and bows is common), often the cost of this hidden commission is passed along to the customer, who has no idea that they're paying it.

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Permalink Reply by Ann Marie Cordial on December 29, 2009 at 12:46pm

Lauren -

I did what Erin said...tried out violas. The problem was......I stumbled on one that was my dream. It was lightweight, easy to play in the upper registers, and BOOMED out with the lower strings. When I played it, I could feel it purr like a cat. I fell in love Immediately. Problem was, I had to save for it; which I did.

Boy am I glad I did. I am now the proud owner of my dream viola. Once, when I was playing it behind closed doors, a passerby saw me after practice and said,"I heard you playing your cello......" Guess that says it all.

---Ann Marie

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Permalink Reply by Lauren on December 30, 2009 at 10:51pm

I totally agree. I'm really comfortable with the local luthier though I've never purchased an instrument from him, for he has performed many an operation on my poor little E.T. But I've heard not-so-positive things about his instruments from my violinist friend. Worth a shot though.
Luckily, my private teacher is very easy going when it comes to how i aquired the instrument, she just cares about tone. (for example, she has me take rubbing alchohol to my strings to get rosin that the cloth misses, and it helps a lot, as long as you're very careful.) And my orchestra teacher is the same.

Erin Shrader said:

Hi Lauren,

Well, I know for a fact that there are some good violas out there in your price range! I have a collection of violas in the office for a future article, all priced between $1000 and $2500. It sounds like most, if not all, of them would be an improvement on your entry level model.

I suggest you start by finding a shop that you feel comfortable working with. If there's more than one in your area and you haven't already found the one you like best, ask around for recommendations and make some visits to see who has things in your price range and who makes you feel comfortable. Don't forget to devote part of your budget to bow of comparable quality. It makes a huge difference in sound, and you will instantly feel like a better player.

Ideally, make an appointment to try instruments. Some shops are very busy, so they appreciate advance notice to reserve a room or gather instruments in your range.

Also, ask a shop about teacher commissions. Some teachers--certainly not all--demand a commission from a dealer on instruments sold to their students or they will not "approve" a purchase or recommend a shop. It's a sticky issue. While it is a good idea to compensate a teacher for their time and expertise (paying for a lesson spent at the shop trying out instruments and bows is common), often the cost of this hidden commission is passed along to the customer, who has no idea that they're paying it.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Lawrence on January 28, 2010 at 8:14am

Hello Lauren,
I have dealt with this situation numerous times over the past 35 years. The "school grade" viola you have is specifically designed to be sturdy, with little consideration for tone. Consequently, although it will last forever, you wish it would somehow spontaneously combust so that you would be forced to replace it.
I have had excellent success with the Eastman line of violas, which I regularly stock in a variety of sizes. They are all individually set up in our shop and adjusted for optimum response.
I hope this is of some help. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of further assistance.
Dan
http://www.danlawrenceviolins.com

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