Viola

The viola is a string instrument that belongs to the violin family. It is slightly larger than the violin and produces a lower, richer sound. Since the 18th century, the viola has served as the middle or alto voice in the violin family, sitting between the higher-pitched violin and the deeper-sounding cello. Its strings are usually tuned to C₃, G₃, D₄, and A₄, and it is most often played with a bow.

Historically, the size and style of the viola changed often, and it had many different names. The word viola comes from Italian, where it was called viola da braccio, meaning “of the arm.” In French, it was known by several names such as cinquiesme, haute contre, and taile, but today the French use the term alto to describe its range.

The viola was especially popular during the time of five-part harmony, often playing three lines of the harmony and sometimes the melody. It usually uses the alto clef in music notation but switches to the treble clef when playing in higher registers. In orchestras and string quartets, the viola often plays supporting roles, although it also has important solo parts in many famous pieces. Notable works include Don Quixote by Richard Strauss, Harold en Italie by Hector Berlioz, and several concertos by composers such as Béla Bartók and William Walton.

Form

See also: Violin construction and mechanics

The viola is similar to the violin in how it is made. It is a little bigger than a violin, usually between 25 and 100 mm (1 and 4 in) longer, with an average length of 41 cm (16 in). Violas for younger players start at around 30 cm (12 in). For many years, makers have tried different sizes and shapes to balance weight and sound. Before the 18th century, larger violas were used for lower notes, while smaller ones played higher notes.

Some special violas were made to change the sound or make playing easier. One example is the viola alta, made for use in operas. Another is the Tertis model, which has a wider shape for a richer tone. Recent designs focus on making violas shorter and lighter while keeping their traditional sound. These include models with cutaway shoulders, extra shapes for comfort, and even violas that can be played like cellos. Some violas have extra strings to let players reach more notes.

Method of playing

See also: Violin technique

A person who plays the viola is called a violist. Playing the viola is a bit different from playing the violin because the viola is bigger. The notes are spread out more on the fingerboard, but you usually don’t need to use different finger placements. Because the viola’s strings are less responsive and the bow is heavier, players need to use a different way of moving the bow and lean more on the strings.

The viola is held like a violin, resting on the left shoulder between the shoulder and the chin. Because it is larger, players with shorter arms might use a smaller viola. Players used to the violin need to use wider finger placements. They often use a wider movement in the left hand and hold the bow farther from their body. The left elbow moves forward to reach the lowest string, helping to make the sound clearer. The viola uses thicker strings than the violin, giving it a deeper and softer sound. These thicker strings need more pressure from the bow to vibrate properly. The viola’s bow is wider and heavier than a violin’s bow, especially near the part called the frog.

Tuning

The viola has four strings that are usually tuned in steps called fifths. The lowest string is C, which is an octave below middle C, with G, D, and A above it. This tuning is just one fifth below the violin, so they share three strings—G, D, and A—and is one octave above the cello.

Each string is wrapped around a peg and is tuned by turning it. Tightening the string makes it sound higher, and loosening it makes it sound lower. The A string is usually tuned first to match the pitch of the group, often between 400–442 Hz. The other strings are then tuned to it in fifths, usually by playing two strings at once. Most violas have adjusters or fine tuners, which help make small tuning changes. These are often used by younger players or on smaller violas. Some players may choose to only have a fine tuner on the A string, while others use them on all strings. These adjusters change the tension of the string by turning a small knob above the tailpiece. Tuning with adjusters is usually easier than using the pegs alone. Some violists sometimes switch the tuning of the C and G strings to make it easier on the instrument, though this is not common.

Small tuning changes can also be made during a performance by gently stretching the string with the hand. Pulling the string above the fingerboard lowers its pitch, and pressing the string in the pegbox raises its pitch. These tricks can help fix a slightly out-of-tune string until a proper tuning can be done.

The most common tuning for viola music is C3-G3-D4-A4, from the lowest to the highest string, with each string tuned a perfect fifth apart. However, other tunings are sometimes used in classical music, called scordatura, and in some folk styles. For example, Mozart wrote a piece where the viola strings are raised by a semitone to make the instrument sound brighter. Another example is when the C string is tuned down to B♭ to play a passage an octave lower, as in a transcription of the Elgar cello concerto by Tertis.

Organizations and research

In the 1900s, people started to learn more about the viola. In 1927, some musicians tried to start a group for viola players, but it didn’t last long. In 1968, the International Viola Society was created, and it grew to have groups all over the world. The biggest group is the American Viola Society, which puts out a journal and holds competitions.

The 1960s also saw the start of many books about the viola. One of the first was written by Franz Zeyringer, and later, Maurice Riley wrote a history of the viola. The International Viola Society also published a yearly book in many languages. Today, Brigham Young University has a special collection of viola materials, including music, recordings, and instruments.

Music

See also: Viola repertoire

Music for the viola often uses the alto clef, a special way of writing music that shows notes a bit lower than usual. This helps violists read their parts easily. The viola is tuned one octave above the cello, so music written for the cello can often be played on the viola without changing the notes.

In early orchestra music, the viola mostly helped fill in harmonies and didn’t play many main melodies. But some special pieces, like Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, gave the viola important solo parts. Over time, more composers started writing beautiful and exciting music for the viola, including concertos and chamber music pieces. Today, the viola is used in many types of music, from classical to some modern pop and jazz styles, showing its versatility and lovely sound.

Notable violists

Further information: List of violists

There are not many famous viola players who play only the viola, partly because there wasn't much solo music for the viola before the twentieth century. Some important older viola players include Stamitz, Rolla, Antonio Rolla, Chrétien Urhan, Casimir Ney, Louis van Waefelghem, and Ritter. In the twentieth century, important viola players included Tertis, William Primrose, Hindemith, Théophile Laforge, Cecil Aronowitz, Maurice Vieux, Borisovsky, Lillian Fuchs, Dino Asciolla, Frederick Riddle, Walter Trampler, Ernst Wallfisch, Csaba Erdélyi, and Emanuel Vardi. Some famous violinists have also played and recorded music on the viola, including Eugène Ysaÿe, Yehudi Menuhin, David Oistrakh, Pinchas Zukerman, Maxim Vengerov, Julian Rachlin, James Ehnes, and Nigel Kennedy.

Some well-known composers liked playing the viola in groups more than the violin. These include Ludwig van Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Franz Schubert, Mendelssohn, Dvořák, and Benjamin Britten. Today, composers and viola players like Kenji Bunch, Scott Slapin, and Lev Zhurbin have written new pieces for the viola.

Electric violas

Further information: Electric violin

To make the sound louder, regular violas can be fitted with a special pickup called a piezoelectric. Some electric violas are made with very little or no body and can be made from materials other than wood and in any color.

These electric violas are usually the size of violins because they use an amplifier and speaker to create a big sound, so they don’t need a large wooden body. Because of this, some players who prefer the usual size and feel of a viola might find it tricky to use a smaller electric viola. Famous musicians like John Cale, who was part of The Velvet Underground, have used electric violas in their music. Others include Geoffrey Richardson from the band Caravan.

These instruments can have a small internal amplifier or send out a signal that can go straight to an amplifier or mixing board. In loud music styles like rock, players might also use special effects such as reverb or overdrive to change the sound.