Orchestral shortages

[mimififi]

I was just wondering: What is the instrument in the orchestra that is at greatest shortage and thus most in demand at the moment. I know when I was in the youth orchestra as a lass, there was a million flautists and hardly any Violins (which was me!) and I was wondering what the balance was now.

Any thoughts at all?

cheers

[camille79]

I think the viola is always in demand and they need many and it's not a popular or glamorous instrument.

[mimififi]

ummm, interesting. maybe that's the one! Thanks for answering!

[Clanad]

Don't see many really good orchestral digeridoo players anymore... may be due to a shortage of the instruments...

[mimififi]

Hey Clanad! Good to see you again. Once more your biting wit has be in stitches.

I don't have a digeridoo to join up with, d'you think a bit of old guttering off the roof might do the job?

Tee-Hee.

[WendyS]

I don't really know but if I aspired to be a professional musician the last two instruments I would want to play are the harp or the double base. Just imagine the headaches having to lug them around everywhere when you're performing. . I can understand why the flute is so popular - it's easy to carry around with you. I know this is a rather simplistic answer but off the top of my head I can't easily recall much classical music which has been written simply for harp or double base..

[mimififi]

Funny, Wendy, you made me smile. When I was in school (senior) I played the violin (as per post) and at the time also had to wear the school uniform compulsory coat, which wasn't a coat at all but a cape! Can you imagine? on the bus trying to hold onto the pole things so the maniac driver didn't tip you up; thousands of other children on the bus too, and wearing a cape! Not only this but also wearing a rucksack, holding a draw string style P.E kit bag and also my violin and music case. What a sight to behold, and how stressful. No wonder I was a skinny wretch at school. My friend played the piccollo and her mum used to drive her. I was very jealous. My other friend, on the other hand, played the Cello and she had to walk.....Oh, Mothers! What can you do?