yo!
what are the difference??:lol:

viola = slightly bigger

tone = between violin and cello

It also read sheet music on the Alto cleff.

Viola is also a fifth lower than the violin. and a viola could be made with the violin; just replace the strings.

From what I've read, violas seldom carry melody in orchestral scores, mainly because of their 'nasal' tone quality, whatever that means.

From what I've read, violas seldom carry melody in orchestral scores, mainly because of their 'nasal' tone quality, whatever that means.

'Cause they just have an eerie sound to them sorta. They are a nice instrument to blend the violins and cellos together.

Violas sound a bit grumbly and rough in their lower register (similar to a contrabassoon, I guess) and somewhat metallic in their higher register.

violas tend to have a more mellow sometimes warmer tone compared to the violin.

Hi friends!
A viola is tuned a 5th lower than the violin so the strings are C G D A whereas the violin strings are G D A E.A viola can produce rich and mellow low notes that the violin cant, and if you want to get good on viola you would have to learn both alto and treble clef.its really which preference you have and which one you prefer the sound of. Hope this will help!:shifty:

so basically which of them is mostly likely, most people will prefer?

so basically which of them is mostly likely, most people will prefer?

Naturally the violin.

but looking from the aspect of sound,
which is better?

but looking from the aspect of sound,
which is better?

Go to your nearest music dealer and find out for yourself.

different people have different outlook. so it depends on you! ;D

violin has a higher register than a viola
both are equally as nice to my ears
it depends on the caliber of the musician
most would prolly like the violin, it's more widely used and carries the melody more than the viola
and clef is different (alto vs treble)

a simple google or wikipedia search would also say everything that has been said so far

but looking from the aspect of sound,
which is better?

Viola is the best<33
I'm a violist. I started out on violin, but I didn't really like it. There's something about violins that...bug me? I dunno. However, a viola has a way richer tone, in my opinion. No as rich as the cello (that's just an orgasmic tone, duh), but if you want to play a string instrument that's easy to transport, and still has an amazing sound...go with a nice viola. :D

I'm a viola major at Georgia State University. I played violin while I was in highschool, but switched to viola for various reasons. The biggest reason is:
Viola is quite simply....harder.

It's just a more difficult instrument to master. It's awkward in size, where the violin is not. The effort that one must exert to produce a beautiful vibrato is also exponentially larger. The left hand get much more of a workout. The right hand (bow hand) must also be consciously focused on, because when playing the viola (more so than the violin) change in bow angle, bow pressure, bow speed, and bow placement is completely necessary and not at all "automatic".

I'd suggest that anyone wanting to get into strings start on the violin, though. It is undoubtedly the easiest to play and can help it's musician to form the necessary knowledge of strings that acts as a basis of learning.

Both violin and viola are great instruments though ^.^

Viola more tone. Usually the bigger the viola the better the sound. A small viola is like playing a full size violin. I actually like both instruments. But Violin is more preferred because commonly violins get more melodies in common pieces [especially first violin].

Professionally, playing violin is way more competitive and harder vs viola players. If you look at most scores for the exception of a few violins have all these complicated note combinations and rhythems. My teacher who switched from violins said that when he was playing in a symphony he had to practice every night. But then went to viola as primary he said it's like a joke. No wonder there's all those viola jokes.

Sure the different sizes from 15 1/2 to 17 are weird and you need to pick but it's still a great instrument. Good concertos also but I'll stick with my violin as main one because you can only play Mendelssohn's violin concerto on it xD.

what's the maximum size for the viola?

It depends. Different periods of times and performence use different sizes. I think 17 is already big enough. My brother viola is 16 1/2 and it's perfect for me.

some prefer viola for its more mellow tone. Personally, I'm a violinist all the way. HOwever, note that a musical career in violin is much harder than viola for the main reason of more competition. if you are good at viola, it is easier to find opportunities to play with different orchestras.