Viola Lessons in Houston
The viola is in many ways quite similar to the violin but larger. Like the violin, the viola has 4 strings tuned in fifths, and sound is produced by drawing a bow across the strings. While the violin has a bright sound, the viola shines with its warm and dark sound. In a string quartet, the viola covers the middle (alto) range, situated between the cello (tenor) and the violin (soprano).
As a member of the symphony orchestra, the viola typically plays an accompanimental role, though a number of 20th-century composers have written works that feature the beautiful sound of the viola in prominent roles.
History of the Viola
The viola originated in Italy in the mid-1500s. As was the case with the violin, a number of changes were made to the basic construction of the viola in the 19th century when larger performance venues required instruments to produce greater sound volume.
Viola Sizes and Viola Types
The sizing of violas is less standardized than that of the violin. Typically, a viola is 16 inches long. In addition, there are 13”, 14”, and 15” violas, and even less common, 13.5”, 14.5”, and 15.5” versions of the instruments. For young children in need of a smaller size, it is sometimes recommended to use a small-size violin with viola strings.
In addition to the wooden, acoustic viola, electric violas are also available. These can be either acoustic violas with pickups and amplifiers, or special electric violas that have no body or only a skeletal version of a body. As with the electric violin, the advantage of the electric viola is that it can produce a large sound with the help of electric sound amplification.
Are you ready to start learning the viola?
Our Locations
Check out the Viola Lesson Program across our two Houston area Locations.