Many people believe violas are bigger than violins because of their size. The size of an instrument, depending on its type, is shaped by its maker’s preference. In that case- Are Violas Bigger Than Violins?
Yes, violas are bigger than violins because of producing a deeper sound. Violas are bigger because they have a low C string but do not have a high E string. Having the high E string. And that’s why it is a little smaller than Viola in size.
Today, I’ve come up with the differences between a violin and a viola and why a viola is bigger than a violin. So, let’s start!
Are Violas Bigger Than Violins?
Yes, they are bigger than violins because they are made to be played standing up or sitting down. They also have a low C string. Meanwhile, the violin is smaller, with a high E string that produces a higher sound.
If your fingers are not slim and you enjoy dark, slow, and mellow notes, then Viola is good for you. And if you love the loud sound, the violin is perfect.
Viola might not be as loud as the violin or other instruments. But every instrument has its purpose, and violin or Viola is nearly similar. You can even turn a violin into a viola but this is not recommended.
What Are The Similarities Between Violin Vs Viola?
Here are a few similarities between violin and Viola for you:
Playing Techniques
The violin and Viola are played by placing the left-hand fingers on the right side of the strings, then pressing down or releasing. Their sound is produced by their bows moving back and forth across the strings while holding them under tension in a horsehair bow. The playing technique is almost the same but has some differences. It is almost the same but has some differences also.
Number Of Strings
Both violin and Viola are made up of four strings. But there is a difference in the tuning of the two instruments. Viola both have G, D, and A strings in the case of the violin. But they have differences in one string.
Design and Structure
The violin and the Viola are structurally very similar. The bodies and necks of both instruments are carved from softwoods such as spruce and maple. . Both are played with a bow.
Difference Between Violin Vs Viola
| Differences | Violin | Viola |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Smaller than viola | Bigger than violin |
| Tone | Higher pitched | Deeper and mellower |
| Strings | A, D, G, E | A, D, G, C |
| Clef | Treble clef | Alto clef |
| Instrument Type | 4 Stringed Bowed | Stringed Instrument |
| Range | G3 – A7 | C3 – E6 |
| Bridge | More arched | Arched |
| Playing Style | Folk, jazz, classical, country | Classical, folk |
Violin and viola are string instruments that are very much similar in terms of their construction, range, and playing technique. This similarity does not tell us how different one is from the other in terms of its playing style. Let’s know about their differences.
Size
The viola is larger than the violin. The size of the body of a viola is bigger than that of a violin. A full-size violin is about 36 cm, and a full-size viola is about 40 cm. Since this size varies, it is no smaller than 38 cm. Besides, the viola is wider and deeper. Its neck is longer, though it does not have frets and its fingerboard is shorter than a violin’s.
| Viola (Inches) | Violin(Fractions) | Age(Years) | Arm Length(Inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| – | 1/32 | Under 3 | 13 |
| – | 1/16 | 3 to 5 | 14 |
| – | 1/10 | 4 to 5 | 15 |
| 10″ | 1/8 | 4 to 6 | 16 to 17 |
| 11″ | 1/4 | 5 to 7 | 18 to 19 |
| 12″ | 1/2 | 7 to 9 | 20 |
| 13″ | 3/4 | 9 to 12 | 22 |
| 14″ | 4/4 | 12 and above | 23 and above |
| 15″ | – | 13 to 15 | 24 to 25 |
| 15 ½ “ | – | – | 26 to 27 |
| 16″ | – | 15 to 16 | 27 and above |
| 16 ½ “ | – | 16 and above | – |
Strings
Violin and viola have different strings. Violas contain C, D, G and A strings.
Among them, the C string tone is low. On the other hand, violins have D G, A and E strings, and E is the high-tone string. The strings are measured from the lowest to the highest pitches.
Sound and Tone
The difference between violins and violas comes from their quality of sound. The larger body of a viola is responsible for producing a grip to play deeper notes than the violin. It produces slower notes with dark sounds. On the other hand, the violin is loud and produces quick notes. It has a higher quality of sound compared to the viola.
The viola has a somber sound and tone, while the violin produces faster, lively and musical notes. This can be compared to a guitar playing folkloric music versus one playing classical music. The main reason for this variation is that the strings of a violin are pizzicato or plucked, while those of a viola are bowed in order to produce its sound.
Bow
The violin bow and the viola bow have distinct shapes. The violin bow is longer and narrower and weighs about 9 to 10 grams less than the viola bow. Because viola has heavier strings and that’s why, you need a heavier bow to produce a clear tone in the bass.
Different Clef
The violin is notated on a G clef or treble clef, while the viola is written on an alto clef or you can call it C clef . However, The sound of violas is not as versatile as that of the violin. However, violas can play more than two octaves.
Listening Pitch
An E string on a violin is the top string, but an A string on a viola is lower by five notes. The overall pitch of a viola generally sounds a hair lower and a little more mellow than the violin.
Which One Should Choose From Violin Vs Viola?
Both instruments have their pros and cons. In an orchestra, the sound of a viola may not be as loud as that of other instruments, but volume is not everything. Both instruments are equally needed for a pleasing listening experience.
Violin
Choose the violin if you want to have an ear-pleasing sound, be the focus of attention, play your favorite solos, and love higher notes. It is a trendy instrument and almost all composers have something for you to play. Among all the violins in the market Eastar 4/4 Violin and Mendini by Cecilio MV400 4/4 Violin are my favorite violins.
Over the past several years, it has been used much more frequently in popular songs than the decade before. You can also have a five-string violin, which will normally have a C sound the lowest, so it will also have a viola quality.
The violin is a better choice if you’re interested in high ranges, rapid passages, and clear sounds.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Violin needs less body strength to play it | It is more complicated than learning viola |
| It is very prestigious, just like the lead guitar | Very competitive playing among violinists |
| The violin is versatile | |
| You can use it to play rock or pop songs |
Viola
When you discover the Theater of Memory to be devoid of color and ambiance, then viola is the perfect instrument for you. It’s a song that’s commonly overlooked in orchestras. As part of a broader piece of music, who you are will matter, but there will always be plenty of moments that satisfy every listener.
While viola solos stand out from the rest, their musical content is monotonous and seems isolated compared to violins. Violas have a greater apparatus presence in popular songs than you might think. When you want the best one for you, grab Mendini MA250 Viola or D Z Strad 101 Viola.
If you need a slow, dark, and mellow sound, and your fingertips are not that dainty, the viola is a better pick.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It is easier to learn than violin | The audience is not more interested to hear viola |
| No competition is in learning viola in an orchestra | You have to learn how to read alto clef reading |
| It needs a lot of strength to play viola. Because it is larger, it’s challenging to hold it long |
Violin Vs Viola: Which One Is Good For Beginner, Intermediate, or Professional?
You can choose violin or viola according to your choice, but learning viola is easier than violin.
For Beginner
When you’re a beginner, learning viola can be a good decision or not, it depends on you! It is easier for a musician to find work in an orchestra than on a stage. It is also smarter to choose the viola instrument from a lower-sighted perspective.
Only the perfect rationale prohibits Violinists from selecting it. However, they might need one of the other instruments the violin provides: praise, rivalry, difficulty, or allure.
For Intermediate
As an intermediate violinist, learning violin will be good. The violin may be your instrument if you aspire to present yourself favourably. It possesses an aural component that functions much the same as a lead guitar, while the viola is seldom seen and mainly in the background.
For Professional
If you are ready to commit to the hunt for the most acceptable challenges, the violin is your instrument. However difficult it is to learn, more play it than others. Because it’s the most frequently chosen by prodigies, also look it up if you want to read more.
Violinists have more opportunities for a career in music than viola players do, but there are also more competitors. An orchestra has two violin sections, and the music profession is populated by violin players much more than by viola players.
Final Thoughts
Both violin and Viola have bowed string instruments, and they are not easily mistaken for one another. The reason is that they differ in their physical size and the way they produce their tones or sound.
Why are violas bigger than violins, you may already know. If you have not read the entire post clearly, scroll up and read again. Deciding whether to purchase a violin or a viola will depend on you and your desire to learn to play it. Enjoy music!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is playing the Viola the same as a violin?
The Viola uses a different clef than the violin, known as the Alto Clef. This is the 3rd chord in the string family. The violin is sometimes referred to as the soprano voice and is also the highest instrument in the string family.
Is Viola easier to play than the violin?
It depends on your skill set and what you might go looking for. Violinists frequently seek work as viola players. Many orchestra jobs require playing in viola lines, while the violin lines have the most solos or merely play the tune melody line.
Which is deeper, Viola or the violin?
The Viola has a softer and deeper sound than the Violin, owing to the more significant number of C strings that can be played on it.
What is the sound difference between violin and Viola?
String number five of a viola is the ‘A’ of the violin, but the top string is the letter ‘E’. The overall pitch of the Viola is generally a bit lower than the violin.
How many strings does a viola have?
The Viola has four strings tuned to G, C, D, A, beginning with the G below middle C. The Viola’s tone is darker, heavier, and warmer than the violin’s.
What is smaller than a violin?
The pochette is a small string instrument that resembles a small violin but folds up or hangs onto your pocket.
