The viola
History
Viola was more common before the violin. Because of its thicker strings compared to its size, the quality of the viola is plainer with less overtones than the violin or cello. This gave it a better blending quality with upper strings, with lower strings, with horns and woodwinds; it kind of brings all the other woodwind and string instruments together in an ensemble.
Violas come in different sizes, also: junior, intermediate and standard, and is matched to the size of the student. The student should use the largest size they can handle as soon as possible.
The Viola Compared to the Violin
The viola is pitched a fifth below the violin (or can be read a third below the music of the violin), and is considered the alto member of the String Family, so music written for it uses the alto and tenor clefs. A number of characteristics of the viola make it difficult to switch from the violin: larger overall size, greater spacing between fingers which means different finger patterns, and the heavier weight of the instrument than the violin. The viola is mostly an accompaniment instrument.
The viola uses a "jaw" rest as opposed to the "chin" rest for the violine. Bowing technique is a prime difference between viola and violin playing. A violinist adjusting to playing the viola should use more bow and left-hand finger weight. They will also need to anticipate entrances more, because viola strings to do not respond as quickly. Of course, adjustments for fingering, extensions and shifting will need to be made also because of the difference in size. Overall, the viola is not as similar to the violin as one would think.
Viola was more common before the violin. Because of its thicker strings compared to its size, the quality of the viola is plainer with less overtones than the violin or cello. This gave it a better blending quality with upper strings, with lower strings, with horns and woodwinds; it kind of brings all the other woodwind and string instruments together in an ensemble.
Violas come in different sizes, also: junior, intermediate and standard, and is matched to the size of the student. The student should use the largest size they can handle as soon as possible.
The Viola Compared to the Violin
The viola is pitched a fifth below the violin (or can be read a third below the music of the violin), and is considered the alto member of the String Family, so music written for it uses the alto and tenor clefs. A number of characteristics of the viola make it difficult to switch from the violin: larger overall size, greater spacing between fingers which means different finger patterns, and the heavier weight of the instrument than the violin. The viola is mostly an accompaniment instrument.
The viola uses a "jaw" rest as opposed to the "chin" rest for the violine. Bowing technique is a prime difference between viola and violin playing. A violinist adjusting to playing the viola should use more bow and left-hand finger weight. They will also need to anticipate entrances more, because viola strings to do not respond as quickly. Of course, adjustments for fingering, extensions and shifting will need to be made also because of the difference in size. Overall, the viola is not as similar to the violin as one would think.