What Band & Orchestra instrument should I get?

Question

I would like to know what instrument I should play I was thinking either the viola or flute?

Answer 1

Both excellent choices... if it were me I would choose Viola it is harder but more enjoyable to listen to. Flute is easier and has a beautiful sound but they are so common and are hard to hear at all. Viola is better because you have a gorgeous sound and it's less common among groups. Just practice A LOT!! :D hope that helps you. Best of luck!

Answer 2

First off, join orchestra. There are much fewer people, so the conductor is more likely to be able to pay more attention to you and your playing. I have been in orchestra for five years, and joining up was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

I personally play the cello, and would definitely recommend it. After all, what other instrument can play music in bass clef, tenor clef, alto clef, AND treble clef?!?! Violas are nice, but they have a kind of scrubby sound, like a violin that is not in tune. I have never really cared for them, but they definitely add to the orchestra with their warm tones.

There is such a wide variety of music that can be played in orchestras, which is not the case for band.

Good luck with your decision. Whatever you chose will be worth it!

Answer 3

The viola is my favorite instrument. I love the mellow and rich tone of the it. It is not just a big violin. It brings together the high sounds of the violins and low sounds of the cello and bass. I consider stringed instruments to be more challenging to learn, as there are no buttons or frets to guide your fingers, and once you get position down, you get to learn vibrato and bow techniques. Violists are probably more in demand than flute players (at least they are here), due to the fact that there are less of them. I enjoy playing in a string orchestra much more than I enjoyed playing with a concert band (they spit all over the floor!). I have never played the flute before, but in my completely biased opinion, I would choose the viola.

In the end, though, it depends on what you feel more comfortable playing. If you know others with these instruments, ask if you can test them out, or go to a local music store and look at the instruments. Go with whatever your instincts tell you too, as you don't want to choose an instrument that you are going to want to quit in a few months.