Violin vs Viola: Major Difference Between Violin and Viola

Violin vs Viola is a common confusion faced by people who wish to choose between the two instruments. Not only choosing them for playing but understanding which is which is little difficult for a layman. Infact, since violin, viola, cello and double bass come from the same instrument family (bow string instruments), there are several similarities between the instruments that increases the confusion but all the instruments deliver different sound and tone which makes it easier to choose.

Every instrument is different from the other and so is their speciality. When compared in terms of physical looks, double bass is the largest instrument in the family, then comes cello and later comes viola and violin. Let’s delve deeper into the difference between violin and viola to understand about the individual instruments, their similarities and differences for you to make the decision on which instrument is most suitable for you.

What is Violin?

Violin is a wooden string instrument from the violin family that is the smallest and hence produces highest pitch compared to the other bow string instruments. With four strings tuned in the perfect fifths, its notes are G3, D4, A4 and E5. It is played with a bow or by simply plucking the strings with the fingers. Violin is used for generating music of different genres like jazz, orchestra, country music, bluegrass music and more.

What is Viola?

Viola is again a bow string family instruments, it is used for producing low and deep sound. It majorly comes with four strings and these strings are tuned from low to high, hence they typically come out as C3, G3, D4 and A4. Viola can be played in different techniques like with the plucking the strings with fingers, playing with a bow, and more. Viola is used for generating folk music, contemporary pop music and more.

Also Read: Double Bass vs Cello Explained: What is the Difference?

Violin vs Viola: Similarities Between Violin and Viola

First, let’s understand how are the violin and viola similar and then sought the difference between the two.

• They both come from the same string family
• Both are similarly played by placing them over the shoulder and playing it with the other hand
• They share 3 same strings; namely A, D and G
• Both the instruments are tuned by same principles
• Both the instruments have similar construction and shape

Violin vs Viola: Difference Between Violin and Viola

Now that we have clarity as to how violin and viola are similar instruments, you may be wondering that what are the differences and do they really matter. YES, the differences make the two instruments completely unique and then they compliment each other when they coexist. Let’s get into the differences one by one.

Size

A standard full-sized viola is about 40 cms which is around 16 inches whereas a full-sized violin is about 36 cms which is around 14 inches. In terms of looks, violin looks more slender and delicate whereas a viola displays substantial presence. Though when both the instruments have similar shape, their features differ and so does their sound because of their built. Check out the different parts of violin with The Tune Catcher.

Bow Ballet

Both violin and viola are played with a bow moved across its strings. Violin’s bow is long and slim as compared to viola’s bow which is heavier. Violin’s bow weighs around 10 kgs less compared to viola’s bow because viola’s strings are heavy, so to play the heavy strings, your bow too must be a sturdy one. Also, when one keenly observes the bow’s frog, viola’s bow is often chunkier and it has a curved feature. This is because playing of viola is different than playing a violin.

Strings

Though both violin and viola come in variety of types like four-string violin or five-string viola, we will here discuss about the basic. Any standard violin or viola comes with four strings. The arrangement of these strings form another intriguing difference between viola and violin which changes their tunings, sound and pitch in music. The violin’s tuning follow as G-D-A-E, the viola too adheres to the same tuning along with introducing a lower C string positioned in the octave.

Sound

Due to the difference in the tuning, both the instruments produce different notes. The timbre as well is substantially different for both the instruments since they both have strings of different sizes for it to vibrate and create volume from the air interaction. Also, since the violin is smaller in size and are lighter than viola, it offers piercing tone with clarity. Whereas viola is bigger in size with heavier strings generating lower deeper tones.

Clef

When comparing violin vs viola vs cello and double bass, violin is considered highest instrument in the bow string family. Hence, violin is played on treble clef or G clef only. Whereas viola is played on alto clef or C clef only.

Also Read: Cello vs Violin: What are the Similarities and Differences?

Conclusion

When choosing between violin vs viola, it is important to categorize your requirement, the kind of tune you would like to generate and what kind of music are willing to produce. As per that, you can select the instrument that is most suitable for you.