What are the differences between playing violin and playing viola?

Question

I am a high school freshman. For the last 10 years I have played violin, unfortunately due to the fact that I have a prestigious music school in my town my high school is overrun with violins already. I am considering changing to the viola. I would greatly appreciate a person who plays both to advise me if this is a possible solution, and clearly state the differences. Thanks so much.

Answer 1

the viola is a bigger instrument, so the spacing is different, different strings (a fifth down) and alto clef instead of treble....
i play the viola and i love it, there are so many more opportunities than for violin when it comes to college and stuff
and plus i personally think it plays better with its mellow sound
go for it!

Answer 2

I only play the violin, but the difference is the viola is going to have a C string instead of an E string. Also, the viola part for a piece being played is going to be different, and you'll need a private teacher (preferably one who is a viola player) to help you out with understanding the scales and the right fingerings.

Answer 3

the widely used distinction is that maximum individuals have not have been given any clue what a viola is and violas not often get the melody (a minimum of while in comparison with violins and cellos). the main phyisical distinction is that the viola is somewhat decrease and extra desirable. The viola is actual a 5th decrease. So while a violin's strings are (maximum to lowest) E A D G, a viola's strings (nonetheless maximum to lowest) A D G C. they even have 3 strings in undemanding. The viola is likewise somewhat extra mellow and that is no longer fairly as vibrant as a violin. regrettably you could't immediately play the violin in case you play viola, or viola in case you play violin. the main reason is that, on an identical time as you especially lots carry them the comparable way, a violin reads a distinctive cleff than the viola. Violas examine what's called alto cleff (looks kinda like a very fancy 3) and violins examine trebble (a swirly finding cleff which you have probable considered formerly). i think of violin gamers discover it extra durable to learn the viola by way of fact they have little to no experice with alto cleff (which, byt the way, is a very not often used cleff) and discover it very confusing to appreciate that what they oftentimes think of of as an open string A is actual a 2nd finger B on the G string. to no longer point out durations are extra desirable and that is extra durable to shift on a viola by way of fact that is larger than the violin. whether, a viola participant, by making use of the time they want to test with the violin, could have come into touch with trebble cleff formerly in extra stepped forward track. so as that they a minimum of be responsive to (or could have an theory approximately) trebble cleff to three degree. besides some instructions enjoying random issues, I especially lots picked up the violin one rehersal and purely began enjoying. whether, it grew to become into the two play lots greater than a viola's suppossed to pass (it incredibly is annoyingly confusing), use my violin, or drop out of pit orchestra. I enjoyed pit, so I picked up the violin. properly, there is my address it, wish this facilitates!

Answer 4

viola plays in a diffeenf clef, but the fingering is basically the same.

Answer 5

Yes diffrent notes, and like one is played in a diffret key i believe go here....
www.wikipedia.org and search voilon, and voila