Playing music is soothing and rewarding. But choosing the specific instrument to play, especially when it comes to the string family, can be challenging. How do you choose between instruments that look so similar?
If you can’t decide between the violin or viola, we're here to help. The following is a detailed analysis of the violin vs viola. Here, we explain the traits of each, their similarities as well as their differences. Let’s dig in.
What is a Viola?
A close cousin of the violin, the viola is among the most popular members of the string instrument family.
Known for its capability to play a deeper timber, this is often regarded as an alto to the soprano of the violin. In fact, in terms of pitch, the viola is the second-highest instrument, following violins.
Originally, there were two kinds of violas. The viola da gamba was held on the legs like a modern-day cello. Conversely, the viola da braccio was held on the arm.
Now, anytime the viola is mentioned, some people immediately think of a gigantic piece of musical equipment. But this isn’t necessarily true as it’s just a tad bigger than the violin. The average length of the viola is 16 inches (41 cm); about 2 inches longer than a full-sized violin.
While the difference in size is trivial, it actually makes a significant difference to the sound it produces. The viola is revered for its richer and mellower tone.
If you’ve ever wished to mimic the acoustic characteristics of a violin, you’d need a viola that is no less than 21 inches in length. But, most violists find such a proposition to be absurd.
Interestingly though, a couple of experiments have been done to create violin-like acoustics using a viola. On that note, some violas are designed to have a length of up to 18 inches.
This is particularly the case with musical instruments that were originally used for Wagner’s operas. But for the most part, the vast majority of violists are content with the viola’s traditional size.
Applications
The viola is mainly used in orchestral music. However, there are a couple of pieces that were written for solo viola.
Besides, this instrument plays a crucial role in chamber music too. Chamber music is an example of classical music, and it's so named because it's composed of a select group of instruments that can fit in a chamber/large space.
So are there any prominent musicians who have played the viola in the past? Sure, there are. Wolfgang Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven all gave the viola a try.
Even contemporary artists like The Goo Goo Dolls, The Velvet Underground, The Who, and Van Morrison have also incorporated this instrument in their performances.
This goes to show how versatile the viola is. Plus, it can be used in an array of music genres including jazz, Celtic, country, bluegrass, pop, and rock.
Location in an Orchestra
If you’re planning to learn the viola, another thing you’ll want to know is its spot in an orchestra. Well, violists have the freedom to sit in different places throughout the orchestra. But the most popular location is between the second violins and cellos.
Advantages of the Viola
Higher demand
There are a couple of things you’ll love about the viola. Let’s start with the fact that there’s usually a higher demand for violists.
The viola is not as popular as the violin. Due to this, there are more people who know how to play the violin than the viola. The good thing about this is that once you learn the viola, your skills will be in demand because there are only a handful of violists.
Easier to learn
Another advantage the viola offers is that it’s easier to learn, more so for beginners and students.
If you don't have any experience playing string instruments, you'll find it easier to learn than a violinist. This is because you'll be learning everything from scratch. If you were a violinist, you'd need to learn an entirely different clef first.
Lower range
While some view this as a disadvantage, the viola's lower note range is what attracts many violists. Its harmonic elements place it right in the middle between a violin and a cello.
Disadvantages of the Viola
Bulky
Because it’s a bigger and heavier musical instrument, playing the viola requires more physical strength. To make things worse, it also requires a violist to apply more finger pressure with the bow.
Hidden spotlight
Are you searching for an instrument that allows you to take center stage and be the star of the show? If you are, then the viola isn’t for you.
Even though it has a distinct acoustic characteristic, it plays more of a complementary role to other string instruments. In most cases, its notes are heard far off in the background.
Calls for reading music
Another thing you’ll want to keep in mind is that this instrument is usually played in the alto clef. This means that you’ll either have to relearn reading music or learn a clef that’s not used by any other instrument.
What is a Violin?
Dating back to the 9th century, this instrument is part of the violin family. Other instruments that fall under this category are the viola, double bass, and cello. This musical tool is often described as the soprano voice of the bowed string instrument family.
Like other instruments in this group, the classical violin is characterized by a hollow, wooden body. But what people love about it is the diversity of its sound.
Not only is it used to play the melody line but also to harmonize. Its sound ranges from bright and vibrant to solemn and mellow notes. This all depends on the playing styles that you adopt.
An important thing to note is that the violin uses treble clef music. The treble clef is very popular in Western music notations, so it won't be very difficult to learn.
Even better is the fact that there are two violin sections in an orchestra. In total, there are as many as 30 violins.
But, before you dive headfirst and start learning how to play the violin, you’ll want to weigh its benefits against its disadvantages.
Advantages of the Violin
Doesn’t need as much physical strength
As we mentioned earlier, the violin size is much smaller. And as such, it doesn’t require as much physical strength. This applies to both the technique for holding it and the pressure required on the strings.
Star of the show
Another thing we love about the violin is that it’s a lot more prestigious. Its sound is heard crystal clearly in an orchestra. This is contrary to the viola, which tends to fade in the background.
More opportunities in the music world
When it comes to the violin, there are multiple pieces that are usually written specifically for this instrument.
Even in an orchestra, there are two sections: one for first violins and the other for second violins. This gives violinists more opportunities to showcase their skills and stand out from the crowd.
Versatile
If there’s one word that’s synonymous with the violin, it has to be its versatility. You’ll find this instrument being used in popular music genres. These range from modern pop and rock to classical music introduced hundreds of years ago.
Bigger repertoire
Another thing you'll quickly come to learn about the violin is that it's highly composed for. For a long time now, composers have always preferred easier instruments- in this case- the violin.
Good examples of best violin compositions include The Chaconne and Violin Concerto. With more composers inclined to write for the violin, it's no wonder it has a richer and more complex repertoire.
Disadvantages of the Violin
Stiff competition
The violin is undoubtedly more popular than the viola. Unfortunately, this also means that there’s higher competition in this space. If you’re looking to get a spot in an orchestra, you’ll likely have to compete and beat several other violinists.
Similarities Between the Viola and Violin
The violin and viola are both members of the bowed string family, in addition to the cello and double bass.
But other than that, these instruments don’t share a ton of similarities together. If anything, they are more different than they are similar. That said, here’s the handful of traits they share:
Both the violin and the viola share the same playing style, that is, they're held on the left shoulder and played with a bow.
The traditional violin and viola have an equal number of strings. Put simply; there are four violin strings and four viola strings. However, if you’re considering an electric violin, you may come across one with 5 or even 6 strings
Except for the differences in dimensions, the two instruments have an identical shape
Both the violin and viola are used to play folk music and classical music
Both the violin and viola boast prominent compositions. Examples of classical viola compositions are Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante, Beethoven's Serenade, and Kegelstatt Trio. Similarly, nearly all orchestral or chamber music comprises prominent performances from violinists.
Differences Between the Viola and Violin
Here's a list of features that make the violin and viola different instruments:
Size
The most obvious difference between the viola vs violin is size.
The violin, in particular, is smaller than the viola. When it comes to violins, their standard size is about 14 inches long (35 cm). Conversely, a full-size viola can go up to 18 inches (45 cm) long. The viola is also slightly wider than the violin.
Both the violin and the viola come in an array of sizes. However, the viola comes in four main sizes, whereas the violin comes in nine options.
As a matter of fact, small violas - which are 12 inches in length - are much smaller than a full-size violin. These smaller string instruments are an excellent option for younger and beginner players.
With the viola being bigger, it's not surprising that it has heavier strings that require a heftier bow.
Bow frogs
If you’re keen, you’ll notice that the violin bows differ from those used to play the viola. Viola bows tend to be a little bit heavier. They may also be curved instead of straight-edged.
Clef
Another significant difference between a violin and a viola is the clef that each one uses.
The violin is typically played in the Treble clef, resulting in a soprano voice. By contrast, the viola is the only instrument that is played in the less popular Alto or C clef.
The line in the middle of the Clef symbol is the C note, which is why the Alto clef is also referred to as the C clef. Once you figure out where the middle C is, it will be much easier to determine the position of the other notes.
Sound
With differences in size and different fingering techniques, it’s not surprising that these instruments sound different.
In the case of a violin, the top string is an ‘E’. But in a viola, the top string is the ‘A’, just five notes beneath that. Due to this, the sound of the viola is a little lower and mellower than the violin.
Also crucial to note is that it takes a longer time to hear the viola's sound from the minute they pluck the strings with a bow. So if you're switching from the violin to the viola, take these slight differences into account- you don't want to be faster or slower than fellow viola players.
Tuning of the strings
The viola and the violin may each have four strings, but they differ widely. These strings vary not only in their structure but also in their notes.
As we mentioned earlier, the viola has thicker strings. Unfortunately, these call for a faster bow tempo as well as bow weight.
When it comes to tuning, here's how their strings differ:
Viola: C, G, D, and A. In this case, C is the lowest and A the highest.
Violin: G, D, A, and E. Here, G is the lowest and E the highest.
It's also crucial to note that a viola's range is more than 3 and a half octaves, although this mainly depends on the player's skill level. With violins, the pitch starts from G3 to C8, which are the higher notes on a modern piano.
Differences In Summary
In conclusion, here are the features that differentiate the viola vs violin:
A viola is played in the alto clef while a violin is played in the Treble clef or C clef
They also have different strings. The violin strings are tuned G-D-A-E while the viola strings are tuned C-G-D-A
The viola has thicker strings than the violin
The viola has a heavier bow, which may be straight edge or curved. Interestingly, a violin bow is slightly longer than a viola bow
Violas have a mellower sound than violins
Who is the Viola Best For?
Are you the type of person who hates being in the limelight? If you are, then the viola is the better instrument for you. If you don’t fancy viola solos or the prestige that’s associated with the violin and aren’t a fan of competition, then this is certainly your go-to instrument.
As a violist, you’ll find it so much easier to get a spot in an orchestra. There’s just one section for violas in an orchestra. But there aren’t that many people who’re interested in this instrument. This increases the chances of finding a violist’s job.
In a nutshell, you should go for a viola if you:
Don’t like being in the limelight
Want a higher chance of finding work as a violist
Who is the Violin Best For?
Are you the kind of person who likes to be in the spotlight? If you answered yes, then the violin is the ultimate string instrument for you. Its function is identical to that of a lead guitar, which steals the show. This is contrary to the viola which tends to fade in the background.
The violin is also an excellent choice if you don’t mind taking on difficult challenges. Even though it’s harder to learn the violin, there are way more people who try to master it. As a result, the competition among violinists is pretty high.
The good news is that this string instrument also presents more opportunities. For instance, an orchestra comprises two decent violin sections. This then translates to a higher demand for violinists than violists. And, there’s a demand for violinists in different music genres too.
In summary, you should go for violins if you:
Relish challenges and aren’t scared to compete against the best.
Like being in the spotlight
FAQs
Which is easier violin or viola?
The answer to this is completely subjective and depends on your individual preferences. However, most people consider the violin slightly easier to play for several reasons.
For one, it’s smaller, which makes it easier to hold for a prolonged time. Secondly, it’s played in a popular clef that doesn’t require you to relearn how to read music.
With a viola, the instrument weighs more, making it challenging to play for extended periods. And, it uses the Alto clef, which isn’t very popular.
Is viola good for beginners?
Yes, it is. Anyone can learn how to play the viola, including newbie students. And the good thing is, violas come in different sizes and prices. So you can find one that’s within your budget and size preferences.
How many strings does a viola have?
A standard viola has four strings. But if you decide to go for an electric version, it’s not unusual to find one with up to six strings.
Conclusion
Choosing between the viola vs violin is no easy decision. The two instruments are part of the string family and share several similarities. For instance, they have the same strings and playing styles.
However, they also have a couple of traits that make them very different. They differ not only in their appearance but also in how they sound.
If you’re struggling to pick one, we recommend you to visit a brick-and-mortar store and get a feel of each piece of equipment and its accessories. Once you do that, you'll notice major differences such as the fact that a violin bow and the instrument itself are lighter.
Ultimately though, you should choose one that matches your needs and wants. For instance, if you want your skills to shine on the stage, then a violin is ideal. But if you prefer a more subtle performance, then a viola is better.
