Intermediate’s Guide to Buying a Viola

Violists whose skills are advancing will often realize that the instrument they were using can no longer keep up. When this happens, to continue developing their skill set, they will need to upgrade to a more capable instrument. Generally, this means buying a new intermediate-level viola.

Buying an intermediate viola presents a unique set of challenges. Fortunately, with a little guidance, finding a viola that toes the line between a beginner viola and a professional viola is not as challenging as it may seem.

MAKER AND LABEL

When purchasing a viola or other stringed instrument for the first time, it can be easy to get wrapped up in name brands and manufacturers. Labels and location used to have a significant bearing on the quality of violas. But, advancements in production mean that violists can now get high-quality intermediate instruments at affordable prices.

That said, at the intermediate level, violists should not spend much time worrying about labels. Focusing on tone and playability is much more important because they are still developing their skills as a musician.

VIOLA SIZING

The size of a viola used to have a significant impact on the instrument’s sound. The larger the viola, the richer and louder the produced tone would be. However, many modern violas no longer play by these rules. While a larger instrument will still project more than a smaller one, most modern violas will produce a full, rich tone regardless of size.

Advanced violists may go for an instrument that is larger for the sake of sound quality But, intermediate students should continue to focus more on playability and not consider violas that could be too much for them to handle.

Intermediate students who want a little more volume may want to consider a viola that is half and inch or and inch larger what they’re accustomed to playing. Trying to go beyond that could impact their ability to play, hindering their technical development or even leading to injury.

NEW VS. USED VIOLAS

While some more advanced violists may disagree, the advantage of older instruments over new ones comes down to a matter of preference.

Wood matures over time. So, older violas can have a richer and more mellow tone than new ones. New violas can sound a bit brighter, but modern insights into viola design have workshops producing instruments that are just as solid and as older ones. Deciding between the difference in sound quality comes down to the individual violist and what they think sounds best.

The primary difference between the two is the price, with newer instruments much costing less than their vintage counterparts. If you are curious to know more about the factors that affect a violas price read our useful guide: Viola Prices – What Affects a Viola’s Cost?

Older instruments can also be a bit more sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity than newer ones, mostly due to the age of the wood and the fact that old instruments often have repaired cracks. So, for those intermediate violists who spend lots of time transporting their viola around to different lessons and rehearsals, a newer model may be the better option.

INSTRUMENT SET-UP

The body of the viola is only a part of what goes into creating its sound. As important as finding a high-quality instrument is, having the viola setup properly by a qualified viola luthier. In addition to the setup, without the right strings and bow, it will not sound as good as it can.

An intermediate instrument should have the right level strings. High-quality, synthetic core viola strings can create rich sounds making them perfect for intermediate students who are still developing their skills. On top of that, advances in string making technology have created more options for violist to find the strings that make their instrument sound its best.

While fiberglass bows may be decent for beginners, they don’t always cut it at the intermediate level. A violist looking to upgrade their instrument will also need to upgrade their bow. Swapping to either a carbon fiber bow or a pernambuco wood bow will help them achieve the correct feel and sound on their new instrument.

HOW TO TEST VIOLAS

When figuring out what to look for when buying a viola, the most critical aspect is not something a violist can see — they must use their ears. Testing a viola for themself is the only way a violist can ensure an instrument has the right tone and playability for them. That said, there are right and wrong ways to test out a viola.

Those intermediate students looking to buy a more advanced viola may want to consider bringing a friend or their viola teacher when trying out violas. Listening to a viola while playing it is not the same as listening to someone else play.

It is possible for a violist to like how a viola sounds in someone else’s hands but not when it’s directly under their ear. Having someone else there to give them both perspectives is essential to finding a viola with the best tone for them.

On top of that, playing a favorite song will not always offer the best example of an instrument’s ability. Start the test with at least two octaves of simple scales to analyze the instrument’s tone and range. Then move on to a more complex piece to see if it can handle different bowing techniques, dynamics, and how the instrument sounds at speed.

Finally, when testing out different violas, it is critical to keep all other variables consistent. These variables include using the violist’s shoulder pad and, more importantly, a familiar bow.

Using a familiar bow will allow students to better analyze the sound of the viola they’re testing. That said, those who only have access to a low-quality, beginner bow may want to look into making a swap. Borrowing a higher-quality one, and using it for practice for a week or so will give them a chance to familiarize themselves with its sound and feel.

The Intermediate’s Guide to Buying a Viola
If you are considering buying a viola but would like a bit more guidance on finding the right instrument for you, we’re here to help.

Contact us for more information about our available violas and other stringed instruments, or visit us to try them out for yourself.