Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio
F E A T U R E
Explore an Instrument: Viola
F E A T U R E
Explore an Instrument: Viola
HISTORY
The viola is a bowed instrument that belongs to the strings family. It has a beautiful sound quality that has often been described as being close to the sonority of the human voice. The creation of this instrument has been highly associated to that of the violin family in northern Italy between 1530 and 1550. There were many families of instrument makers or “luthiers” that specialised in the making of these particular instruments around cities such as Milan, Cremona, Brescia and Venice. Some of the leading families during this era were the Amati, da Salò, Guarnieri and Stradivari.
Towards the beginning, two different lines of instruments were created: viole da braccio and viole da gamba. The first category was considered as “arm violas” and the second as “leg violas.” These names had to do with the way in which the instruments were played (either held under the neck or between the legs.) It was not until the 17th century that “arm violas” finally took over and consequently became what we know today as the modern string family. These instruments were preferred over the “leg violas” because they had a brighter and more concentrated sound that suited baroque opera and music better. They also did not have frets like the others did. Perhaps the closest member of the arm violas that is closest to the leg violas would be the cello.
The strings family today is conformed by four instruments that have a different role in the orchestra and also a distinctive register.
The viola is a bowed instrument that belongs to the strings family. It has a beautiful sound quality that has often been described as being close to the sonority of the human voice. The creation of this instrument has been highly associated to that of the violin family in northern Italy between 1530 and 1550. There were many families of instrument makers or “luthiers” that specialised in the making of these particular instruments around cities such as Milan, Cremona, Brescia and Venice. Some of the leading families during this era were the Amati, da Salò, Guarnieri and Stradivari.
Towards the beginning, two different lines of instruments were created: viole da braccio and viole da gamba. The first category was considered as “arm violas” and the second as “leg violas.” These names had to do with the way in which the instruments were played (either held under the neck or between the legs.) It was not until the 17th century that “arm violas” finally took over and consequently became what we know today as the modern string family. These instruments were preferred over the “leg violas” because they had a brighter and more concentrated sound that suited baroque opera and music better. They also did not have frets like the others did. Perhaps the closest member of the arm violas that is closest to the leg violas would be the cello.
The strings family today is conformed by four instruments that have a different role in the orchestra and also a distinctive register.
Violins (the sopranos and smallest members)
Violas (the altos)
Violoncellos/cellos (the tenors)
Double bass/contrabass (the basses and largest members)
Violas (the altos)
Violoncellos/cellos (the tenors)
Double bass/contrabass (the basses and largest members)
The viola did not start to get noticed by composers until the late Classical era. The violin and the cello were considered superior instruments with solo capacities. However, the viola started becoming such an important voice within the string quartet in the 19th century as we could appreciate from compositions by Franz Joseph Haydn. Another notorious composer who started realising that the viola had a huge potential was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He was a violist himself and decided to write a gorgeous Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola in Eflat Major (K. 364) to show that both instruments had infinite possibilities of music making and artistic expression. Ludwig van Beethoven was also a violist and played the viola at the Bonn Hofkapelle.
Little by little, the viola gained its rightful place and status within the musical spheres until it claimed the role of being an equal of the violin and the cello. During the 20th century, many viola models were made by different makers in order to find the right balance of sound and comfort for these instruments.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What is the difference in sound between the violin and the viola?
A: The viola has a darker and more melancholic sound. Think of chocolate fudge vs. strawberry syrup!!! The violin sounds much brighter and has a lighter texture of sound. A lot of this has to do with the fact that violas are larger and use thicker strings, which make them sound more obscure.
What notes do you use to tune a viola?
A: The viola is tuned in fifths. The order of the strings is the following:
Do (C) Sol (G) Re (D) La (A)
What is the typical size of a viola?
A: Professional violas can range from 37 to 43 cm or 14.5 to 17 inches. This makes the viola about 5 cm or 2 inches longer than the standard full size violin. However, if you happen to be a young student, there are baby violas made to help you get started! As you continue to grow, you will upgrade to the very next size until you reach the professional sizes.
Are viola bows different from other bows?
A: Yes!!!! Viola bows are typically longer than violin bows and they tend to be curved and chunky at the frog. Viola bows are also a little heavier than violin bows.
Is there a difference between playing violin and viola when it comes to technique?
A: The answer to this question is rather tricky. Yes, there are certain differences in the technique as it takes more effort and strength to play a larger instrument like the viola. However, these differences are not major. Somebody that plays violin could easily learn viola and vice versa by doing a couple of adjustments. A lot of players play both!
What are some famous viola pieces to listen to?
A: There is a lot to listen to on viola. Here is a short list to help you get started on your listening journey!
Fairy Tales by Robert Schumann
Viola Sonatas (F minor and Eflat Major) by Johannes Brahms
Viola Concerto in D Major Op. 1 by Carl Stamitz
Viola Concerto in D Major by Franz Anton Hoffmeister
Viola Concerto in G Major by Georg Philipp Telemann
Harold in Italy by Hector Berlioz
American String Quartet #12 Op. 96 by Antonin Dvorak
Who are some famous violists I should listen to?
A: There are many wonderful players you should listen to. I’ll give you a small list that starts with some historical players who are no longer alive, followed by current performers.
Lionel Tertis
William Primrose
Emanuel Vardi
Lilian Fuchs
Serge Collot
Michael Kugel
Bruno Giuranna
Yuri Bashmet
Gérard Caussé
Nobuko Imai
Atar Arad
Pinchas Zukerman
Antoine Tamestit
David Aaron Carpenter
Maxim Rysanov
Nils Mönkemeyer
Lise Berthaud
Richard Yongjae O’Neill
Yizhak Schotten
Tabea Zimmermann
Lawrence Power
Amihai Grosz
Below you will hear the viola in two different roles, as a chamber instrument and also as a solo instrument!!!
Brahms Viola Sextet Op. 18 Allegro ma non troppo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RKXbkpn1W8
Viola Concerto RV 399 Allegro by Antonio Vivaldi (transcribed): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4Jbm5kDRXM
Learn more about Aleksandre on his Teacher Page.
Little by little, the viola gained its rightful place and status within the musical spheres until it claimed the role of being an equal of the violin and the cello. During the 20th century, many viola models were made by different makers in order to find the right balance of sound and comfort for these instruments.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What is the difference in sound between the violin and the viola?
A: The viola has a darker and more melancholic sound. Think of chocolate fudge vs. strawberry syrup!!! The violin sounds much brighter and has a lighter texture of sound. A lot of this has to do with the fact that violas are larger and use thicker strings, which make them sound more obscure.
What notes do you use to tune a viola?
A: The viola is tuned in fifths. The order of the strings is the following:
Do (C) Sol (G) Re (D) La (A)
What is the typical size of a viola?
A: Professional violas can range from 37 to 43 cm or 14.5 to 17 inches. This makes the viola about 5 cm or 2 inches longer than the standard full size violin. However, if you happen to be a young student, there are baby violas made to help you get started! As you continue to grow, you will upgrade to the very next size until you reach the professional sizes.
Are viola bows different from other bows?
A: Yes!!!! Viola bows are typically longer than violin bows and they tend to be curved and chunky at the frog. Viola bows are also a little heavier than violin bows.
Is there a difference between playing violin and viola when it comes to technique?
A: The answer to this question is rather tricky. Yes, there are certain differences in the technique as it takes more effort and strength to play a larger instrument like the viola. However, these differences are not major. Somebody that plays violin could easily learn viola and vice versa by doing a couple of adjustments. A lot of players play both!
What are some famous viola pieces to listen to?
A: There is a lot to listen to on viola. Here is a short list to help you get started on your listening journey!
Fairy Tales by Robert Schumann
Viola Sonatas (F minor and Eflat Major) by Johannes Brahms
Viola Concerto in D Major Op. 1 by Carl Stamitz
Viola Concerto in D Major by Franz Anton Hoffmeister
Viola Concerto in G Major by Georg Philipp Telemann
Harold in Italy by Hector Berlioz
American String Quartet #12 Op. 96 by Antonin Dvorak
Who are some famous violists I should listen to?
A: There are many wonderful players you should listen to. I’ll give you a small list that starts with some historical players who are no longer alive, followed by current performers.
Lionel Tertis
William Primrose
Emanuel Vardi
Lilian Fuchs
Serge Collot
Michael Kugel
Bruno Giuranna
Yuri Bashmet
Gérard Caussé
Nobuko Imai
Atar Arad
Pinchas Zukerman
Antoine Tamestit
David Aaron Carpenter
Maxim Rysanov
Nils Mönkemeyer
Lise Berthaud
Richard Yongjae O’Neill
Yizhak Schotten
Tabea Zimmermann
Lawrence Power
Amihai Grosz
Below you will hear the viola in two different roles, as a chamber instrument and also as a solo instrument!!!
Brahms Viola Sextet Op. 18 Allegro ma non troppo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RKXbkpn1W8
Viola Concerto RV 399 Allegro by Antonio Vivaldi (transcribed): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4Jbm5kDRXM
Learn more about Aleksandre on his Teacher Page.