Appropos

The viola has always appealed to me. It's not the showiest string (that distinction goes to the violin), and it has a such a nice mellow sound to it. It's the support line of the string section.

With my summer Spanish class cancelled, and a bit more free time on my hands, I've decided to give the viola a three-month try. My neighbor Melissa, an orchestra teacher, has offered to give me lessons and loan me a few books. I begin next week!

While at the music store yesterday, the salesman measured my arm length to see which size of viola would suit me best. Most adults play a 15", but since my arms more resemble those of a spider monkey than a human, I thought that I might need something larger. As the salesman looked at the measurement, his eyes widened: "Wow, you could easily play a 16 1/2!" Alas, 16 1/2" violas are few and far between, and hardly ever for rent, so I'll have to be content to learn on a 15", until I decide to give up on the project or buy my own instrument.

An interesting note: most musicians who play a 16" or 16 1/2" viola are virtuosos and soloists who want a bit more volume and depth of sound from their instruments. Does this mean that I am destined to become a sensational musician, or that I have freakishly long arms? You make the call. (My bet's on the latter.)