My Wondrous Life as a Violist

My First Year Playing the Viola (sort of a rant)

            In the middle of 4th grade, we were heading to the MPR to here the music teacher's (who is still my music teacher!!!!! I'm so grateful) presentation about "Instrumental." It's basically an extracurricular activity during school where the pieces you learn are from a beginner's book instead of separate music sheets. Additionally, the only instruments that were available at my elementary school were violins and violas. Unfortunately, no cellos were available since students (in the past) weren't responsible enough to take good care of them. I was originally going to choose the violin, but my friend kept rambling (so much that I became irritated) about how AMAZING the viola is. "It's like a violin, but instead of an open E string, there's an open C string!!" It really did annoy me, but I still listened. I guess his excitement is partially why I wanted to try playing the viola too. Additionally, my teacher talked to the class about how underrated violas are. She also said how you may think that you're hearing a violin, but it's actually a viola. Furthermore, violists tend to make more money since they're not common. Her explanation intrigued me.

~In the MPR~

           After the long presentation about the rules, instruments, habits, ect.,  the music teacher asked for students to raise their hand if they were planning to play the violin. I didn't raise my hand as I was shocked at the numerous of hands that were raised (there were over 100). Except when she asked for the hands of students wanting to play the viola, I can only remember one hand that was raised, my friend's. All eyes were drawn towards him. I was sort of, in a way, upset that only one student was willing to play the underappreciated instrument. So I decided, "Why not?"

~Rehearsals (time to rant)~

          Let me just say...*sigh*, "I LOATHED [and STILL LOATH] the class." *inhale* *exhale* (repeat). It wasn't the teacher's fault, it was the student's (except for me and 3 other friends). Two now go to another school; the other is the first chair, playing the flute (he's still my friend, I borrow his lunch while we're practicing, hehe). Anyways... I think it's expected for students to be so undetermined, lazy, and uncommitted to doing something that they agreed to do (I know that's harsh to describe, but it's reality. Of course I'm not saying every student is like this, it's just that the ones who actually work are rare). There were AT LEAST 80 students in that class (what a waste of time and space; I'm being really salty rn, but I can't help it). The time we could've saved actually rehearsing instead of fooling around and tuning. I still remember this one girl who bought a purple violin... Why the heck do you need a purple violin when you're not even committed to actually playing it?! *breath in* *breath out* I don't think that I need to go on about how bothersome the class was.

~Concert~

          There was the evening school concert and night concert, which were located on the stage of the MPR. I'll begin by stating that I cried after the evening performance. I still remember those moments on stage so vividly. Undoubtedly, it was so cramped that it was practically impossible to poke someone while playing. During the performance, I was repeatedly poked with a bow. Repeatedly. That was not it; I could here snickering from behind me. I just wanted to leave school as soon as possible. When we were dismissed by our music teacher, I ran into my homeroom and blew my nose while holding back my tears. Surprisingly, a student saw me in my condition and consoled me. I am incredibly grateful to meet someone like her. After the concert, Instrumental came to an end. I didn't know what to do during that summer, so I waited until the second year of Instrumental. To be continued (probably tomorrow). I promise my second year is (hopefully) more interesting.

tl;dr Other students were nuisances and weren't committed to practicing. That effected me. I hated my first year.

A/N: Yay! A longer story about my boring, lonesome life. T_T