I agree with everything Hardiman said with the following additions. Buy a Kuhn or similar shoulder rest. they are the best for comfort. Does your viola have a chin rest? you don't say. If not, buy one at once! It makes all the difference. It's an essential. The viola is tuned five steps below the violin so your top string is A, second, D, third, G, and forth, C. Please do learn to play in this tuning as it will save a lot of un-learning later. A beginning Suzuki method book will teach you a lot. Check with any good music store. Lastly, hang in there! you're never too old to learn something new.And congrats for having the guts to try. A lot of people don't.

troll