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One of my favourite viola jokes is the one in the online list: The difference between a coffin and a viola case is that with a viola case the dead body is on the outside.
I´m not an expert on violas - although I choose to learn to play one as a clearly reasoned decision within my personal circumstances - but by reputation the viola and violists (in many cases deservedly) are the butt of more orchestra jokes than other instruments. The viola is an acoustically crippled instrument, violists are usually painted as failed would-be violinists or ex-violinists who are now too old and decrepit to play the violin any more.
I don´t mind the viola jokes. I find them funny.
@Ferret My issues with a viola would be that it has heavier strings than a violin which means the strings take longer to pick up speed vibrating to produce a tone, which in turn tends to make violas prone to play behind (late) when performing with other instruments. Because a viola has stunted acoustics, violins are used more by composers, violins can play louder than a viola (I think), all things being equal, & have more solo music written for them. There is comparatively much more in the violin repertory than in the viola repertory. Good point about the 5 string violas though. There are also 14 string "violas" (viz. Viola d´amour).
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Thanks for the "Hillbilly Humour" cartoon.
I think I should watch it again, perhaps several times.
It certainly holds my attention, even though I do not know what Hillbilly Humour is supposed to be like. Rather, I would find actual live people who behave like the cartoon characters to be very attractive personalities (to me).
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What did the 17 1/2" viola say to the 3/4 violin?
My inferiority complex is bigger than your inferiority complex.
N.B. That sentence probably came from somewhere else, but I do not remember where, and if so, I have plagiarised it, as it dovetails nicely with 3/4 violins vis-a-vis 4/4 violins and violas vis-a-vis just about every other instrument - except perhaps banjos.
How can you tell how many violins are included (both playing and resting) in an orchestral performance ?
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