I'm in no way anything like a professional. Have played guitar for 40 years or so, self-taught, and picked up a little 5-string banjo. Never did anything in front of people, either, until about 14 years ago, when a small group of us formed -- and what we do is Christian music for nursing home audiences. I'm a folkie at heart, though, musically.

I continually would like to 'stretch' what we do, and, with the hope of adding a few long, sustained notes in some of our songs, bought a viola on eBay. (I had taken a eyar of cello 45 years ago, so I was not totally ingorant of string instruments).

I know there are people here who play guitar and fiddle. I would love reading almost anything they had to say to a 57-year old trying to be able to do something on his own on a new instrument.

What I have found so far is that:

-- after 30 seconds or so, my left shoulder hurts unless I sort of tilt downward. -- my left hand tends to ride up the neck and I find it hard to get it back down very easily. -- I don't know how much rosin to use. The bow was new. I also am not sure how far to tighten the bow. -- my main aim was to arpeggiate chords with maybe a few notes added. To this end, I tuned it like a uke, which, of course, I am familiar with. (now stop laughing)

Could someone comment on any of these points?