Best
Student Viola
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Overall: Made with a solid carved spruce top and carved maple back and sides
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Best Feature: With ebony fingerboard and pegs
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TedScoreâ„¢: 8/10
Best
Student Violin
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Overall: Built with hand-carved solid spruce top
-
Best Feature: With hand-carved solid maple back and sides
-
TedScoreâ„¢: 9/10
Best
Viola and Violin Accessory
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Overall: Case designed for one-handed use
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Best Feature: Attractive Case Included
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TedScoreâ„¢: 10/10
Are you torn between choosing the violin and the viola? Well, fear not – we’re here to help you tackle one of the most common questions in the string family: what are the differences between the violin and the viola?
It’s not just about size – although the viola is definitely the bigger sibling of the violin string instrument family – but also about the unique sounds they produce and the techniques required to play them.
So, whether you’re drawn to the violin’s sweet melodies or the viola’s rich tones, grab your bow and let’s differentiate these two amazing string instruments!
6 Key Differences Between Violin and Viola
Size
The most obvious difference between the violin and the viola is their size.
A full size violin measures about 36 cm (14 inches), while a full size viola is normally between 39 and 41 cm (15.5-16.5 inches). This means the viola is larger, and has a longer neck and larger fixings.
As a result, the viola is also heavier than the violin, making it a more substantial instrument to hold and play.
Bow
The bow is another key difference between the violin and the viola. A viola bow is slightly heavier than a violin bow, which allows the violist to draw out the tones of the viola’s thicker C-string.
In contrast, a violin requires less string weight to produce a great sound.
The rosin, a sticky substance that allows a bow to produce sound from a stringed instrument, is the same for the two instruments though.
Strings
The strings on a viola are thicker than those on a violin, which results in a deeper, mellower sound. The viola’s thicker strings also require more pressure to play, making it more challenging for violists to produce the desired sound.
On the other hand, the violin strings are thinner, which allows for a brighter, more piercing sound.
Clef
Another difference between the violin and the viola is the clef that each instrument reads.
The violin reads music in the treble clef, while the viola reads music in the alto clef. The treble clef is used for higher-pitched instruments, while the alto clef is used for lower-pitched instruments.
This means that viola players must learn to read music in a different clef than violin players.
Sound and Tone
The viola has a deeper and more mellow sound than the violin. This is due to its larger size and thicker strings, which produce a richer, more resonant tone.
Conversely, the violin has a brighter, more piercing sound due to its thinner strings and smaller size.
Despite their differences, both the violin and viola can produce a wide range of sounds, depending on the player’s skill.
Part in the Orchestra
The violin and the viola play different roles in the orchestra. The violin is often used to play the melody or the lead part in chamber music, while the viola plays a supporting role, providing harmony and filling the music’s middle range.
This means that the solo viola players must be skilled at blending in with the other instruments and playing harmoniously with the rest of the orchestra.
Luckily throughout the centuries some composers valued the viola as a solo instrument.Â
ViolA vs ViolIN: Which One to Choose?
We’ll look closer at the differences between the violin and the viola to help you decide which is better for you.
Pros and Cons of Playing Violin
One of the advantages of playing the violin is that it is a very popular instrument, so plenty of resources are available for learning and improving your technique. Additionally, the violin can play very high pitches, making it great for playing melodies and solos.
On the other hand, the violin can be a challenging instrument to learn. It requires a lot of practice and dedication to develop the necessary skills to play it well. Additionally, the high pitch of the violin can sometimes make it difficult to blend with other instruments in certain harmonies and intervals.
Cremona SV-500 Premier Artist Violin
This handcrafted violin is made from the finest selected tonewoods, and its solid spruce top has a rich, hand-applied golden-red finish that complements the beautiful one-piece flamed maple back. But what sets this violin apart is its tone – it’s smooth and pleasing with great carrying power.
DESIGNED FOR: student musicians
FEATURES: Built with hand-carved solid spruce top
OTHER INFO: With hand-carved solid maple back and sides
Cremona SV-500 Premier Artist Violin
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Has an ebony fingerboard with a lightweight composite tailpiece for easy tuning
- Produces a rich, warm tone
- Comes with a high-quality bow and case
- None!
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScoreâ„¢.
Pros and Cons of Playing the Viola
One major advantage of playing the viola is its lower pitch than the violin, making it great for playing harmonies and accompaniment parts. Additionally, the larger body of the viola allows for a richer, more mellow sound.
However, the viola can also be a challenging instrument to learn. It requires a different technique than playing the violin strings and can take time to develop the necessary skills. Additionally, the viola sound can sometimes make it difficult to stand out in certain musical arrangements.
Ultimately, the choice between the violin and viola comes down to personal preference and what you want to achieve as a musician. Both instruments have unique strengths and challenges, so it’s important to consider your goals and interests when deciding.
Stentor Student 2 Viola Outfit
This wonderful instrument is hand-carved from solid tonewoods and features ebony pegs, nuts, and a saddle for optimal sound quality. Highly recommended by teachers, violinists, and education advisors, the Stentor Student II Viola Outfit is the perfect teaching instrument for those who want to take their playing to a new level.Â
With its good-quality viola strings and alloy tailpiece with integral adjusters, you can be sure you’ll get outstanding sound quality every time you play.
DESIGNED FOR: beginners to intermediate players
FEATURES: Made with a solid carved spruce top and carved maple back and sides
OTHER INFO: With ebony fingerboard and pegs
Stentor Student 2 Viola Outfit
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Comes with an inlaid purfling
- Produces a warm, mellow tone
- Comes with a bow and case included in the outfit
- It may require additional setup and adjustments before playing at its best
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScoreâ„¢.
Best Violin and Viola Accessory
D'Addario Kaplan Premium Rosin
This rosin has high-quality ingredients to ensure optimal violin sound, production and smooth bowing. Its unique formula adheres well to your bow and strings, providing consistent sound and a clear tone. Its attractive packaging makes it easy to carry to your next performance or practice session. It’s a top choice that will meet and exceed your expectations.
DESIGNED FOR: violas and violins
FEATURES: Made with high-quality natural materials
OTHER INFO: Comes with a protective case and cloth
D'Addario Kaplan Premium Rosin
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Produces a clear, smooth tone
- Provides excellent grip and bow control
- Works well for both beginner and professional players
- None!
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScoreâ„¢.
Difference Between Violin And Viola: A Recap
Now that you know the difference between the violin and the viola, you can appreciate the unique qualities of each instrument. While the violin is smaller and has a higher range, the viola is larger and has a lower range. These two string instruments require dedication and respect to master, and professional musicians often use them in competition.
If you’re considering learning to play the violin or the viola, be prepared for a challenging but rewarding journey. Both instruments require significant time and money, which can be quite expensive. However, the joy of playing music and the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when you master a piece makes it all worth it.
Whether you choose the violin or the viola, you’ll join a community of musicians who share your passion for music.
So go forth, practice diligently, and enjoy the journey!
Just one more thing...
Before you buy your violin or viola bows, read this next article, and let’s look at what rosin is, why it’s important, and how to use it properly on your bow.
Get ready to unleash your inner virtuoso with this guide to all things rosin!
FAQ's
You might think violins and violas are the same, but they have different sizes and produce different sounds. A violin is smaller and produces more notes at a higher pitch, while a viola is larger and produces a deeper, richer sound.
You can learn to play the viola as a violinist, but adjusting to the viola vs larger size and different sounds may take the player some time. The technique and fingerings are similar, but the viola requires a different bowing and hand position.
As a musician, you can hear the difference between a violin and a viola based on their respective sizes and the tone they produce. Violins have a higher pitch and brighter tone, while violas have a deeper, warmer tone.
As a beginner, you may find the violin easier to play due to its smaller size and higher pitch. However, as you advance, you may find the viola easier to play due to its larger size and more comfortable hand position. Ultimately, the difficulty of playing either instrument depends on your individual skill level and experience.
The biggest viola size is typically 17 inches, although some makers do produce violas up to 18 inches in size. However, these larger sizes are quite rare and are generally only used by players with very large hands. The most common viola sizes are between 15 and 16.5 inches.
Yes, a violinist can play a viola as they are both stringed instruments with similar playing techniques. However, the viola is larger than the violin and requires a slightly different approach to playing.