brrian1966:

Violin and viola are similar. Violas come in different sizes. The larger ones might sound more resonant but can also be more cumbersome to play. If you go with viola be sure to get the right size for your build. A 5-string viper would have the range of both in a standard violin size. Self-teaching guitar is feasible but good self-taught violinists are rare. I have had many adult students that have fended for themselves and they regret it because they now have to “unlearn” their poor technique in order to do more advanced things like vibrato and the various bow strokes. Doing it right the first time saves a lot of frustration later so it’s best to take lessons. Even if you follow a method book carefully you need someone to watch your position and monitor your progress. On violin, you can’t really see all of your bow as you play so it could be crooked. You can’t see your left wrist and arm either and that can be a problem. It’s not a natural position and doesn’t really feel “right” at first. No way to tell if it’s right without a teacher. On top of that, you might find a way on your own to get a nice sound at first using poor technique and then find out that the way your doing it keeps you from progressing. At this point most people get frustrated and quit. It’s tough getting started. I can’t imagine an instrument with more complexities. Check out