Violin or Viola - which would you choose for a 5 year old?

[EmmyInTheSticks]

DD age 5 has a chance to learn Violin or Viola, I haven't got a musical bone in my body and don't really know which I should choose on her behalf.

She have no preference so for those who know a bit about instruments and music is there any reason one would be a better choice?

Thanks

There is nothing more painful to my ears than a child on a violin 😱

Piano? Flute? Clarinet? Drums even...

Viola players are much more in demand in Orchestras etc but generally the viola part is very dull to play. They are both lovely once you get through the awful screechy beginner stage.

Alternatively if woodwind instruments have any appeal I think the clarinet is an instrument that's easy to get to a reasonable standard on (ie more likely to retain interest) plus it's portable.

Do not go for the flute - far too many people learn it, which is why pretty much every starter youth orchestra in the country has a load of scratchy grade 3 strings and two grade 8 distinction flautists - the ones who didn't have distinctions got turned down because the waiting list was too long (it's also why Vaughan Williams' setting of Greensleeves is so popular - easy string parts plus something interesting for the first flute to do).

But you also need quite a good harpist for that Vaughan Williams?

It's absolutely not true that all beginner violin or viola players have to sound screechy If they're taught well and have a good musical ear they simply won't.

Violas are classed as "endangered" in that there is a shortage of players so I'd go for that. There are far too many violin players and it gets a bit competitive at a higher level. A talented viola player will be welcome everywhere.

This is an interesting thread. I think the most important thing for a 5 year old is for them to ENJOY whatever it is they are doing. If your DC has a good ear they will find the violin easier than somebody less skilled.

At least she will be getting a grounding in some music basics...subtly. Learning to take instructions(!), learning time, learning to read music, getting used to practice and taking care of instruments. I didn't think my daughter was especially musical but she switched from violin to flute and has grown in confidence after a year. She 'just" needed to learn the breathing/embouchure/fingering.

I was never a brilliant violinist at school (county orchestra, but usually 2nd violin), but I would observe that viola parts always seemed a bit dull. DB got a music scholarship on the viola (big hands, so he switched). I am almost tempted to buy one (maybe my parents fibbed, but they seem quite inexpensive now).

Aged 5, it doesn't really matter. On balance I think I would choose a treble clef instrument to avoid confusion at the recorder and chime bars stage.

Re. orchestral viola parts - they vary a lot. Some are really dull (Handel, I'm looking at you). Quite often though in 20th century music they can be interesting and challenging. And you'll always be in demand as a string quartet player, and no-one is going to get bored playing the great string quartets (I've done most of my viola playing in string quartets, I play violin in an orchestra at the moment where we have a policy of rotating between first and seconds, and front and back of the section, every couple of concerts).

I dont think children care about the screechy sounds, they just get over it. I must say with my daughter the screechy was there and getting better and finally went away after 2 years when she is now doing her g5. She isnt progressing as fast as many other musical children you could find in here although she loves the social life she has from playing an Orchestral instrument. If I understand it rightly that you could always switch to viola from violin easily however the other way round isnt that easy.

It's easier to get 1/4 and 1/2 size violins so easier to learn from that perspective. Also easier to get cheap early practice violins. Better training for the young ear too.
Mine learned violin from 4 years were about grade 4/5 by end of primary and taught themselves viola with little difficulty.