which is better?Violin or Viola?

Question

Not depending on cheapest.....just the best thing

Answer 1

Violin or Viola? Vanilla or Chocolate? Baseball or Football? Mary Ann or Ginger? The answer really comes down to personal choice.

The basic shape of the instruments are the same, the major differences are in sound and in size.

The viola is a perfect fifth lower than a violin. The lowest note on the viola is a C, the lowest note on the violin is a G. Looked at another way, if the lowest note on the viola is a "do" on the scale, the lowest note on the violin would be the "sol" in that scale.

The difference in the pitch is caused by two factors. First, the strings involved. The viola's C string will be thicker than the G string on the violin. The tension and the thickness of the string will cause the note to be lower. But a full-size violin will also be smaller than a viola (3 to 3 1/2 inches!)

The larger body gives the viola what many describe a a "fuller" or "smokey" or "more resonant" sound. Now this can be good, but it sometimes makes the viola harder to hear, its sound blending in more with the instruments with which it plays. It is capable of tremendous emotion, especially expressing more somber or sorrowful feelings.

If you seek a solo career, the viola will probably not be the way to go, just because of the more limited repertoire. But there are numerous famous violists who draw large crowds. And if you are a good violist there are always chamber groups looking for a good viola player!

The violin has a higher pitched, some people say a more vibrant sound. A violin's tone makes it stand out far more than a viola does. And due to the higher-pitched notes there are more "virtuoso" pieces for the the violin. People see it, hear it and recognize it. Violists frequently have their instruments mistaken for the more popular violin.

Which instrument is more difficult? Hard to say! Playing any instrument well can be difficult. I have heard people claim that the violin is more difficult, but having played both instruments I can tell you that each instrument has its own difficulties! Due to its more subtle tone, it seems to me that the parts written for the viola are sometimes less difficult or complex. But that may be a reflection on the understanding of the instrument or the interaction of the viola with the rest of the orchestra.

One thing I will tell you is that the viola can be more difficult to hold because of its larger size. This has led to some violists having more injuries or stress in their neck, shoulder and arms than violinists. David Rivinus, who makes violins and violas, has come up with some innovative instruments to address the problem. (See http://www.rivinus-instruments.com/)

Can you fiddle on either instrument? ABSOLUTELY--both!

But which is better?

Lawrence Dutton is an acquaintance of mine. He started on the violin and went off to college. While in college he changed from violinist to violist. He now travels the world with the Emerson String Quartet and has won several Emmy Awards. (See http://www.violinstudent.com/history/october/october21 . Dutton is on the right of the picture.)

Another acquaintance is Mark Wood. (See http://violinstudent.com/biographies/mark1.html) Mark played viola through high school, went to Juilliard and left Juilliard because they would not teach him how to play his viola like Jimi Hendrix. He changed to the violin, and now calls himself the first Heavy Metal Violinist. He is a member of the Trans Siberian Orchestra and travels the US giving workshops teaching string players of all flavors to improvise on their violins, violas, cellos and basses.

So I know folks who have changed both ways.

My advice?

Determine what kind of music you want to play. Decide whether you need to stand out or prefer to work as part of a group. Decide which instrument's sound you like better. Then go that way!

Answer 2

It depends on what aspects you are looking for.

Violin is good for its vast repetoire. There are so many great solo pieces for it, ranging from very easy to extremely complicated. The violin is easy to learn, but far too difficult to master. For orchestral settings, it really depends on how good you are. Of course, first violins get the melody and the second violin part for a lot of music is a lot easier. The possiblities are endless.

Viola is really good for its sound. The instrument itself is harder than the violin, as it is heavier and bigger, suitable for a larger person. Even half a pound is a major difference when you're talking about playing for several hours. Being a viola player, I can tell you there is not much music written for viola. So, lots of times, you have to play transcriptions of violin and cello music. For orchestra, it is nicer because sometimes the viola sides with the violin section and others, it sides with the lower strings. So, you get a taste of both.

If you are not that technically skilled, viola would be better because in order to be considered good, you don't have to do so many technical things that are (in my opinion) impossible to master.

Hope this helps a little.

Answer 3

VIOLAS FOR THE WIN!!!!!!!! Viola is less competitive and much more fun. I've gotten into quite a few challenging orchestras through viola, and I'm seen as pretty good at it. If I played violin, I'd be mediocre at best. Viola is a lot more rich and resonant, and it just sounds REALLY GOOD. But, violas are often made fun of. You rarely get solos in orchestra, and the viola part is usually easier and less fun. Or, they're really hard...many people disregard viola. Violas are harder to hold since they're bigger, but they still aren't very hard to hold. I don't want to say anything about violins since I don't play it and I don't want to give the wrong information. GO VIOLAS!!!!!!!

Answer 4

The Violin is far superior to the Viola as far as I am concerned. Played alone it can make some of the most beautiful sounds.My
Dad played the Violin and it made me cry it was so beautiful.

Answer 5

Personally I like the violin

Answer 6

The joke by musicians is the viola is best because it burns longer, but really violins burn longer because they are in the case.

Answer 7

VIOLA!! hands down!! coolest thing ever way better than violin and easier to learn

Answer 8

I like viola because my great uncle and my favorite teacher play it! But I don't know how to play either one.

Answer 9

VIOLA is the best.
Less competition. More mellow sound

Answer 10

Viola is easiest to learn on...bigger strings further apart :)