How is the viola different from the violin?

Anyone - from a first grader to a pensioner - knows perfectly well what a violin looks and sounds like. But what is, not to mention the sound, an instrument under the short name "viola", I think, quite a few will answer correctly. However, this stringed-bowed musical instrument is present in almost all orchestras where the same violins are present. Let's consider what are the differences between viola and violin.

By and large, the viola and violin are largely identical musical instruments, such as the conventional guitar and the baritone guitar, the baritone saxophone and the alto saxophone. All instruments in these pairs are similar to each other, but have different sound settings.

In addition, a number of factors are among the main differences between these tools.

• The body of the viola is slightly larger than the violin. It is difficult for an ordinary person to individually determine what kind of instrument is in front of him: viola or violin. Outwardly, they are the same in color, construction, body shape and neck. Of the accessories - the same number of strings (4), a bow, a chin with a bridge. But if you put the tools next to each other, then the difference in size is immediately evident. The body size of a full violin is 356 mm, while the alto resonator box can be from 380 to 445 mm in length.

• Instrument bars also have different lengths... The violin has a shorter neck length, which is confirmed by the data on the scale of the viola and violin. Scale is the distance from the fixation points of the strings, beyond which they no longer have vibrations from the impact on them with a pluck or bow in the playing area. For the instruments under consideration, these points are the nut and the stand. The scale of a full-size violin is 325 mm, and a viola is from 335 to 370 mm, depending on the size of the instrument.
• The viola strings are thicker. This is due to the different structure of these "relatives". Since the viola is tuned to a lower register, it lacks the thinnest violin string - the "mi" of the second octave, but added a "c" of the minor octave, which is the lowest in sound and thickest in appearance on the viola. The first, second and third strings of the viola correspond in tuning and thickness to the second, third and fourth strings of the violin.
• Bows are almost the same in design... The difference can be seen only in the shape of the last (the place where the bow is held by the musician's fingers). The violin accessory has either a pointed or rectangular block. The alto bow always has a block with a rounded corner. Most often, the viola bow is slightly more authentic and heavier than the violin bow, as it is performed as an accessory to a larger type of violin, which at one time was simply called a "large violin".

Two more differences can be named, but of a different nature, not related to appearance, sound, or accessories. These differences relate to the educational process:

• for the most part, the viola is not taught from early childhood due to its massiveness, violinists usually switch to viola at an older age;
• you need to understand that both compared instruments are independent types of bowed musical instruments, therefore, each of them has its own technical capabilities and nuances of the game, which have to be mastered separately, spending considerable effort and hours of training.

Even professional violinists struggle with the transition to the viola, given the instrument's size, string thickness and increased scale. What then can we say about those who choose him for a further musical career while still at a music college. That is why, most likely, there is a shortage of violists in many orchestral groups, in which groups of stringed instruments participate.

As for the sound of instruments, the range of alto sounds extends from the note "to" a minor octave "to the note" E "of the third octave (C3 - E6), and a full-size violin - from the" G "of the minor octave to the" A "of the fourth octave (G3 - A7). It turns out that the sound range of the viola is one fifth lower than the violin in the lower register and one fourth every octave (undecima) in the upper register.

The trio of violin, viola and cello expands the range of works performed. The cello scale is lower than the alto one by a whole octave.

Because of the lower sound, the alto part is often written in the alto key "C", which looks like this:

Two whorls of the key with their "bridge" connecting them in the middle part indicate the third (middle) line of the staff. This means that the "C" note of the first octave in this key is located on the middle scale.

Sometimes the notes for the viola are also written in the “salt” treble clef, which everyone has known since childhood:

There are differences in timbre between the viola and the violin. Moreover, even in the sound of those notes that are common in pitch, that is, located in the zone of intersection of the ranges of two instruments. In standard scales, these will be sounds in the range from the "G" of a small octave to the "E" of the third octave (G3 - E6). The timbre of the alto instrument is not as pronounced as that of the violin, but it is denser, fuller, somewhat matte and more velvety, especially at low tones. But in the upper register, the alto sounds give off some nasal sound.

All this is due to three main factors:

1. the larger dimensions of the viola body in comparison with the violin (in the first, the resonance of the sound occurs in a larger volume, therefore it is more powerful and denser than the violin);
2. the difference in the lengths of the beakers;
3. the difference in the thickness of the strings.

For example, the note "G" of a small octave can be played only on the open fourth string of the violin, and on the viola it can be played in two places:

• on the third open string, corresponding in thickness and tuning, as indicated above, to string No. 4 of the violin;
• on the fourth clamped string, which differs from the third in its greater thickness and, of course, tuning.

Having played any notes of the same pitch on different strings even on the same viola, one can be convinced of their difference in timbre. They will sound in unison, but the timbres will come out with different colors.

If a user question arises about the choice of the type of instrument for training, then it would be more correct for an adult to start playing the viola. On it, according to many violinists, learning to play is easier and more promising in terms of demand in orchestras and other similar groups... And for a child whose age makes it possible to fully complete the primary and secondary course in music education, in any case, it is necessary to choose the violin version.

Of course, at present there are music classes where the foundations of the viola performing art are laid from early childhood, but there are still not enough of them even within the densely populated regional cities, not to mention the provinces.

When choosing the type of instrument for teaching, the physique of the future musician is of no small importance: if it is strong, the arms are strong, and the fingers are long, you can choose both the viola and the violin. Fragile people usually choose the violin because it is lighter and more comfortable for them.

And the last thing that can affect the choice - musical preferences of the user, repertoire. Not all musicians like the low tone of the viola or the high sounds of the violin equally, so it is worth reminding once again to listen to both instruments for a while. Whichever instrument seems closer to one's own feelings and experiences, that one will be a life companion.