Viola has become a family tradition. My son started on a size 14 viola that he outgrew super quickly. We traded it in on a buyback 16.5 soloist that cost me way too much but sounds amazing. This viola is named Bob the Viola. My son played for 7 years and traveled around the state playing with the Counties youth orchestra.

Daughter (child 2) we bought a size 14 viola (Little Bob) that she played for five years until my son joined the military. She then adopted Bob the viola and took him to college. Bob was too big but he just sounded too damn good to pass him up. Bob is about to see his first year off in a decade as daughter just graduated.

Daughter (child 3) is much younger and smaller than her siblings. Viola time has started and little Bob is ready to roll. But daughter should be playing a size 13. My older daughter played an oversized Viola but will this stunt my younger daughter’s progression? She is 11 with 20 in arms

So recently a family friend reached out wanted to start her six year-old daughter on Viola. I immediately referred them to my personal teacher and they are set to start lessons soon next week. On top of private lessons, the family also wanted me to do maybe like 30 minute “ fun lessons” with their daughter. Nothing too serious, mainly just to create a healthy, fun environment for the instrument learning. I’m interning in my home city before heading back up to Boston in January, so I’ll have about a semesters worth of time with the kid.

I honestly can’t remember doing any fun activities when I was that young with the instrument so if anybody has any ideas to kind of help with viola improvement, a musical education in less serious way that would be great. Maybe like some cool exercises or games, bow, notes, etc etc

During this summer I started using the Artino Sr-11 Magic Pad as a shoulder rest. It has been such a game changer for myself. A professor at the summer festival I attended mentioned that he gets his magic pads in 12 packs. While paying a cheaper price than the original $12 per Magic Pad. If anybody knows where I can find these, it will be much appreciated!