not just violins ...violas too

Viola vs. Violin: Understanding the Differences

It is common to confuse the viola and the violin, but they serve completely different musical roles. Understanding these core differences will help you choose the right instrument for your needs.

Pitch and Strings

• The Violin: This is the highest-pitched instrument in the string family. Its four strings are tuned to E, A, D, and G. It is known for playing bright, piercing melodies.

• The Viola: This instrument is tuned exactly one fifth lower than a violin. Its four strings are A, D, G, and C. It loses the high E string of the violin but gains a deep, low C string, allowing it to play much lower notes.

Size and Scale

• The Violin: Violins have standardized fractional sizes. A full-sized adult violin has a body length of 14 inches.

• The Viola: Violas are larger, wider, and thicker than violins. Adult violas are measured by the total length of their body in inches (typically 15 to 17 inches) rather than fractions. Because they are larger and heavier, they require a slightly wider finger span and arm reach to play.

Tone and Sound Profile

• The Violin: Bright, vibrant, and brilliant. It cuts through the sound of an orchestra easily and is most frequently featured as the main solo instrument.

• The Viola: Deep, warm, and mellow. The tone is often described as dark, rich, or soulful. It provides the harmonic middle ground that blends the high violins and the low cellos together.

Reading Music

• The Violin: Violin music is written entirely in the Treble Clef.

• The Viola: Viola music is written in the Alto Clef. The viola is one of the only modern instruments that uses this specific clef, meaning a violin player must learn a new way to read notes to play the viola.

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16" intermediate viola with mellow tone, better resonance & aged wood construction. upgraded strings (c,g,d,a), custom bridge, bow & padded transport case

$340 + GST