The Viola

The viola is a stringed instrument just like the violin and the cello, which evolved from the 16th century fiddle. For a long time, the viola was seen as the ugly duckling of the stringed instrument family, but towards the end of the 18th century, composers began to appreciate and value the specific sound of the viola. As a result, its rightful place in the music world was secured. The viola looks like the violin but is larger in size. Therefore the sound is lower and darker. The instrument is tuned 5 whole tones lower than the violin. The tones of the 4 strings from the top to the bottom are: A-D-G-C.

The viola's pitch fits in between the violin and the cello and, like the violin, it is held under the chin whilst playing. To produce a sound, the bow is drawn across the strings.

A Vielle from the Middle Ages

Parts of the Viola

1. bridge
2. purfling
3. strings
4. fingerboard
5. scroll
6. tuning pegs
7. neck
8. bassbar
9. F-holes
10. sound post
11. ribs
12. back
13. top/belly
14. chinrest
15. tailpiece