What’s the Difference Between Violin and Viola?

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!

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, more mellow 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 strings on a violin 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 instruments 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.

Read the full article here.