Viola vs. Violin: Twins or Not?

Viola vs. violin is a comparison many have considered. The two instruments are quite similar in many ways, and to the untrained eye, can appear almost identical. But, as you probably know, these two closely related instruments have some notable differences. 

Whether you’re a new player trying to choose the right stringed instrument for yourself or a student contemplating a switch from violin to viola (or vice versa), it’s important to remember that although violas and violins are closely related, there are a few important differences. If you’re currently a violin player, switching to a viola will require you to learn the Alto Clef. This is something most people find fairly easy to do with practice. 

There are many professional players who play both violin and viola quite proficiently. Most will specialize in one or the other. However, some musicians are equally adept playing both the viola and violin. Pinchas Zukerman performs and records on both viola and violin, as does Maxim Vengerov.

Let’s break down the key differences between the viola and violin.

Viola vs. Violin: Size

This is probably the most obvious difference. A viola is considerably larger than a violin. Measuring the back length of the instrument a full-size viola typically measures 16 inches (406mm). Full-size violins, meanwhile, have a 14-inch length of back (358mm).

Violas are also somewhat wider than violins and have taller ribs, giving the overall appearance of a fuller form. 

Both the violin and the viola come in many different sizes to suit young players as they grow. Violins are made as small as “32nd size,” with a back length of only 7.5 inches (190mm). The smallest violas, meanwhile, usually have a back length no smaller than 11 inches (279mm). As a result, the idea that a viola is larger than a violin 100% of the time is not always true.  Only when violas are larger than 14 inches do they become larger than a violin.  [Note: an 11-inch viola corresponds to a ¼ size violin.]

Viola vs. Violin: Clef

Each instrument uses a different clef. The violin uses the Treble Clef, while the viola uses the Alto Clef. This is interesting because the viola happens to be the only instrument in the string instrument family using the Alto Clef for notation. The viola also uses the Treble Clef for the notes in its highest range). As we mentioned earlier, most students trying out viola don’t have much difficulty learning the new clef. 

Viola vs. Violin: Strings

Both instruments use only four strings, but the notes of viola strings and violin strings are different. 

The differences are as follows:

The viola strings are C, G, D, and A  – from low to high

The violin strings are G, D, A, and E – from low to high

 

Viola vs. Violin: Tone and Bow weight

The viola is a ‘mid-alto voice,’ while the violin, by contrast, is a ‘soprano voice,’ and is the highest-pitched instrument in the entirety of the bowed string family.

The viola is tuned one-fifth lower than the violin. It’s longer strings have more mass and thus, necessitate a slightly heavier bow (a viola bow typically weighs about 70 grams, whereas a violin bow weighs about 60 grams). The tone of the viola with its lower, deeper, mellower sound is the most common reason that many violinists become viola players.

There are tone differences between viola and violin as well. As  a result of having a C string as their lowest string and because of their larger size, violas are able to produce a dark and velvety sound.  Violins, meanwhile, sparkle as they sing lyrical melodies, they also speak very quickly, and due to note spacings being closer together, make it possible to play extremely fast while producing a clean, crisp tone.

Viola vs Violin: Which has a Bigger Note Range?

The violin’s smaller body size makes it much easier to play high up on the fingerboard, whereas on the viola it is awkward and physically very difficult to play as high up the fingerboard. This means that violins generally play the high melody lines and get the spotlight far more often. The viola section, in an orchestral setting,  often plays the inner lines of the harmony, between the cellos and basses in the low range and the violins in the high range. 

Viola vs Violin: Which is Louder?

Even though the violin is smaller than the viola, it is louder. Coupled with its higher range, this makes it possible to sing out over the accompaniment of other instruments and be heard quite clearly in an orchestral setting and in chamber music. 

The viola with its warmer tone and lower range is not as loud, although it still can hold its own as a solo instrument. A small handful of concertos for viola and orchestra were written by composers who appreciated the tone of the viola and wrote for the viola as a solo instrument. A few of the most often played are Bela Bartok’s viola concerto and  William Walton’s viola concerto. 

To get a good sense of the sound of the violin and viola together on equal footing, listen to Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante in Eb Major. In this masterpiece, Mozart has the viola and the violin sharing the spotlight. We hear the two instruments in conversation, with their two individual tonal characteristics complementing each other.