Viola Facts
10 Interesting Facts About The Viola
The Viola is slightly larger than the Violin, see it as the Violin’s older brother or sister. The Viola measures in at just over two feet and its strings are thicker than the Violin, meaning the Viola produces a richer and warmer sound. You play the Viola the same way as you do the Violin, resting the instrument between your chin and shoulder. Pressing down on the strings with your left hand changes the notes and pitch of the instrument and your right hand moves the bow or plucks the strings. Here are ten interesting facts about this amazing instrument.
1. The first Viola
The first Viola was made by the luthier Andrea Amati in the mid 16th century. The history of the Viola is linked closely to the development of the Violin in Northern Italy. The Viola fulfilled desires for an instrument made from dark timbre. It is assumed that alto, tenor and bass versions of the Viola emerged soon after the mid 16th century.
2. Violas are made up of…
The Viola is made up of many pieces of wood which enhance its performance. The top of the Viola is made of spruce and its back and ribs are made of maple. The Viola’s neck is made from ebony because of the wood’s hardness and beauty. After the Viola is assembled and varnished its four strings, bridge and tailpiece are added, along with other small pieces.
3. The world’s most expensive Viola
The MacDonald Stradivarius Viola is within the top ten most expensive musical instruments in the world. This instrument was played by the famous Amadeus Quartet co-founder, Peter Shcidlof until his death in 1987. Put up for auction for a cool $45 million, (£34.133 million) in 2014, the instrument has never actually sold. This one-off, musical treasure is still on the market, it’s a wonder why!
4. The Viola and the Orchestra
There tends to be between 10 and 14 Violas in an Orchestra and they almost always play the harmony.
5. The Viola is a complex string instrument
Playing the Viola will mean you have to learn a whole new clef, named alto clef. The Viola has a ‘C’ string, which the Violin doesn’t. The Viola is strung with C, G, D and A. Its tuning is one fifth below the Violin and an octave above the Cello. The Viola is actually pretty heavy, so get ready for one hell of an arm workout! Playing the Viola for one hour will burn off the equivalent of two glasses of wine!
6. The Electric Viola
NS Design’s Electric Viola was created in the 1970s and is an entirely unique instrument. NS Design is the company who founded Headless Guitars and Bass Guitars, also in the 1970s. Their Electric Violas are very different from standard Violas. The traditional shape of the original Viola is replaced by a solid, elongated block of maple wood. There is no headstock on the Electric Viola and tuning is done at the bridge instead. All Electronics are built into the instrument itself. The chin rest, shoulder rest and upper body segment of the Electric Viola are all adjustable. Nowadays brands like Yamaha and Stagg both have their own take on the electric viola, the former making a very elegant instrument, the latter being a bit more out-there! Regardless, the sonic possibilities of the Electric Viola are stunning and there is virtually no feedback.
7. The Viola’s impact on music
Though sometimes the butt of the Orchestral joke, the Viola is primarily used in chamber music and orchestral pieces. However, the Viola also appears in folk, jazz, rock and pop music. Famous rock and pop bands which have used the Viola include; The Cure, The WHO, Van Morrison and The Beatles. Well known Jazz musicians who have used the Viola include; Leroy Jenkins and Will Taylor. Well known Folk musicians who have used the Viola include; Mary Ramsey and Nancy Kerr.
8. Viola celebrities
The Viola produces a rich, sombre and impactful tone. Composers are keen to make the Viola shine and build its long-standing repertoire. There are more Viola soloists emerging every day. Brett Dean, James MacMillan and Mark Anthony Turnage have all recently written stunning Viola concertos. Brett Dean calls the Viola a “curiously beautiful, enigmatic instrument”. You can see Brett’s Viola skills here.
9. Where does the name ‘Viola’ come from?
The Viola’s name originates from the Italian ‘viola de braccio’ which translates to ‘on the arm’.
10. The largest ever recorded Viola ensemble
The world’s largest ever recorded Viola ensemble took place in Porto in Portugal on the 19th May, 2013. The Viola flash mob was made up of 353 players. The event was organised by the Portuguese Viola Association as part of their biennial conference. You can watch the epic ensemble here.
That's the end of our Viola Facts... So what now?
About the Author
Mark Gibbs
My name is Mark and I’ve been playing the viola since I was ten years old. I studied at the Royal College of Music in London for four years. Since then, I’ve played with Rod Stewart at the Brits, played with the likes of Katherine Jenkins and travelled all over the world, doing what I love!
In my spare time, I love learning languages. I’ve been learning German for several years now and speak some Czech, too. I also enjoy studying maps, as well as playing and watching football.
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