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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TedScore: 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
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TedScore: 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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TedScore: 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, 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.
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 TedScore.
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.
With its good-quality strings and alloy tailpiece with integral adjusters, you can be sure you’ll get outstanding sound quality every time you play.
