How do you keep your violin from getting stolen? Put it in a viola case.

June 3, 2006 8:48 AM

Experience the intoxicating sounds of the viola...by Rozanna's Sweet Thunder. Be sure to watch the video clip.
posted by mds35 (18 comments total)

Crap. First link should have been this.
posted by mds35 at 8:50 AM on June 3, 2006

Just a couple of days after two successive aesthetic dust-ups about the supposed merits of a few electric guitarists, I hate to get embroiled in another one, even though most of us agree that matters of taste cannot be settled by internet bickering.

But I can't help it. My comment: just look at the fantasy art CD cover featuring the violist in question and you'll have a pretty good idea of what you're in for if you choose to click on the audio/video links.

Nothing against intoxicating viola music, though. Just don't get me started on the banjo.
posted by kozad at 9:25 AM on June 3, 2006

Crap. I was just going to thank you for not linking to the flash/audio front splash page.
posted by loquacious at 10:04 AM on June 3, 2006

The video link plays, but the 'music' links are broken. The video sounds like just another try at 'Riverdance' music.
posted by PlanoTX at 10:10 AM on June 3, 2006

That's just sad.
posted by doctor_negative at 10:25 AM on June 3, 2006

Is the headline of this post some familiar joke that's tossed around in conservatories or something?
posted by digaman at 10:32 AM on June 3, 2006

Meh.
posted by kfury at 10:43 AM on June 3, 2006

Feh.
posted by ab3 at 10:52 AM on June 3, 2006

digaman: I've never set foot in a conservatory and I know viola jokes.

How can you tell when the stage is level?
The violist drools out of both sides of his mouth.
viols, too.
What's the difference between a trampoline and a viola?
You take off your shoes to jump on a trampoline.

What's the difference between a viola and an onion?
No one cries when you cut up a viola.

That said, I like violas. And da gambas too.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 10:53 AM on June 3, 2006

A movement of a Rochberg work I hadn't heard before! Right on.
posted by Wolfdog at 11:13 AM on June 3, 2006

What's the difference between a viola and a coffin?
With a coffin, the dead guy's on the inside.
posted by lackutrol at 11:58 AM on June 3, 2006

What is perfect pitch?
Throwing a viola in the toilet without touching the rim.
posted by bluefrog at 5:04 PM on June 3, 2006

OK, that was just gross. ICK!
posted by Eekacat at 5:14 PM on June 3, 2006

thanks for sharing this utter crap with us.
posted by Hat Maui at 5:55 PM on June 3, 2006

Lengthy list of viola jokes.

A violist came home and found his house burned to the ground. When he asked what happened, the police told him "Well, apparently the conductor came to your house, and ..."

The violist's eyes lit up and he interrupted excitedly, "The conductor? Came to my house?"
posted by Wet Spot at 6:30 PM on June 3, 2006

Seriously, though. Someone actually thought this was good? Mundane. That's what I would call it. Oh, and bad. Mundane and bad. And annoying.

Sorry to be so snappy, but I have come to rely on Mefi to vet the internets to bring me yummy stuff and this is the antithesis of that.

If it was to be made fun of, it isn't even bad enough to do that.

Ok, I'll go have a cookie now.
posted by qwip at 2:11 AM on June 4, 2006

Astoundingly long list of viola jokes. A lot of them are identical to vocalist jokes, banjo jokes, drummer jokes etc.

But it's kinda weird, because the viola is a beautiful instrument. (If you don't know what a viola is, it's just like a violin but not as high-pitched...in, fact, for this reason, a viola is arguably better sounding than a violin...if you've ever heard a beginner practice violin, you'll know what I mean.)

I suppose the premise for these jokes is that the level of musicianship necessary for getting into an orchestra as a violist is lower than that of of a violinist.

I still think the banjo is a better butt of jokes, but maybe that's because I lived with a world champion banjo player for a few weeks and he practiced several hours a day. (By the way, would you call him a banjoist? I call myself a pianist and a piano player on alternate days, but, then, I don't play classical music, in which case I would always be a pianist. Did you hear the one about the genie and the 12-inch...oh, never mind.)
posted by kozad at 8:44 AM on June 4, 2006

Kozad, as a violist who had to briefly play violin, I can tell you that a violin is *much* easier to play. The viola is too small for the size of its strings, so each string takes a different technique.

But, we'll never get any respect. That's ok. We know we are the secret soul of the symphony .
posted by QIbHom at 10:04 AM on June 7, 2006