Introduction to the Viola

Welcome to Get-Tuned.com's introduction to the viola. This article will tell you all you need to know about the viola before you decide to learn including:

• Background - when and where the viola was invented, the evolution of the viola over the years, its' modern forms, and settings in which it is commonly played.
• Parts of the Viola – From the frog to the scroll, knowing the parts of the viola will make learning far easier. (includes string names)
• Finger names – when playing the viola, you will often come across terms for your fingers you may not be familiar with.
• Practicalities of Playing – Wondering how to get the scratch out of your playing? These tips will help to start you playing like a pro.

The Viola – A Background

The viola is a member of the orchestral string family, (which includes the violin, viola, cello and double bass.) In an orchestral setting, the viola player often plays a counter melody, or supporting tenor/bass role to the violins melody.

It is thought that the first stringed, bowed instruments originated in Asia, and traveled via trade routes to other parts of the world where instrument craftsmen in Europe created their own take on the bowed instruments. The first 4-stringed European violin is vaguely associated with the year 1555. The viola became a popular instrument (though less popular than its' violin counterpart) in Europe with both low and high class instrumentalists. The viola, unlike the violin, has had a large development period, with few guidelines in place regarding the size of the instrument. This is because the lower range of the instrument requires a larger sound box to create the same tones as a violin, however the size needed to create these standardized tones would make the instrument too big to play. Consequently, the viola has been subject to many variations including the addition of an extra string, and the varying of the size of the sound box and length of the instrument as craftsmen have tried to develop the sound, timbre and range of the viola.

Old violas are sought after because of their superior tone which develops over the lifetime of the instrument. The most famous stringed instrument maker is Antonio Stradivari, however only 11 Stradivarius violas are thought to be in existence. The Stradivarius instruments however now sell for millions of dollars. The latest sale of a Stradivarius violin was in October last year. (2010) The Molitor was sold for $3,600,000 USD. All of the known Stradivarius instruments (including the violas, cellos and guitars) have individual names and an amazing history. Many Stradivarius owners lend their instruments out to prestigious players, and some are even loaned to concertmasters of leading world orchestras. Good quality violas, however, do not need to be several hundred years old. There are still many master craftsmen who craft instruments by hand, or using lasers to create the perfect sculpted back and sound box, essential for producing a good tone.

Modern instruments can also be electrified using amplifiers and microphones, and fully electric violas can be distorted to create different tonal qualities altogether. The viola has evolved into a very versatile instrument in this sense.

Parts of the Viola

Knowing the names of the different parts of the viola is essential for any beginner, so you have a clear understanding of any written instruction you may follow. Use the following diagram to memorize the names of the different parts of the viola to make your learning journey that much easier.

Finger Names

Finger names are as important to know as viola parts. The right hand is known as the bow hand, and the left the viola hand (corresponding to the hands which control the viola and bow.) The fingers on both hands also have different names to differentiate them from one another. On the viola hand, the fingers are known as the viola thumb, and the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers. (from thumb to pinky.) You will often see numbers 1,2,3 or 4 above notes when reading music, these correspond to the names of the fingers you should use to play these notes. The fingers on the right hand however are named to correspond to the position those fingers have on on the bow. The thumb is known as the bow thumb, then the index finger,(1st finger) huggers, (2nd and 3rd finger) and pinky (4th finger.) See the below annotated diagrams – these show how the fingers should be positioned on both the bow and viola.

Practicalities of Playing the Viola

As with learning any instrument, there are tips and tricks to make learning easier, as well as things you need to know in order to be a successful player. Take a few minutes to read through these bullet points - they will save you lots of time in the long run!

• The number one thing you need to know: It is possible to play a double sharp/flat on a viola. Unlike guitars, violas do not have fret markings which means instead of only being able to play in semitones, you can play a double sharp or double flat. (The note in between one semitone and another) this also means, however, that intonation is extremely important to become familiar with. A viola player must know to the millimeter where to place their finger in order to produce the right note pitch.
• Use the fingers you have put down to guide you to the next note. (For example, if you play a C# on the A string followed by a G on the D string, use your 2nd finger to guide your 3rd finger into position.) This makes it easier to play in-tune and helps get your playing up to speed if you are playing fast passages.
• Play close to the bridge (about 2 bow width's from the bridge) this will produce the strongest, clearest sound possible with your instrument. Always play with your bow moving parallel to the bridge.
• Visualize! Make up stories or relate the song you are playing to a memory in order to bring expression into your playing. Also – always listen to other viola players perform the piece you are learning so you can pick up on different subtleties master viola players add to make the piece flow.
• Try to use your tummy to hold you up as you play. If you focus on your core, (just above or below your belly button) you will produce a more intense sound, and be more relaxed in your upper body.
• Don't press down too hard on the strings. Be firm, but remember the more relaxed you are, the more this will come through in the sound.
• Be prepared to get frustrated. Learning the viola has its ups and downs, but don't give up! Ride through the hard parts and break down your challenges into smaller, easier to manage pieces.
• To get the scratch out of your playing, instead of focusing on pressing the bow into the string, focus on gliding the bow across the string, like a dragonfly skimming across water. Focus intensely on this and your sound should become less scratchy.
• Make sure you practice good posture at the beginning as bad habits are hard to break!
• Most of all – just have fun. If you are finding practicing a chore, move on and have a go at something else. Learning an instrument is always hard work, but should never be frustrating or upsetting. Remember it's OK to have a break, just make sure you come back to it again tomorrow.