Bowed instruments
Viola
A four-string bowed instrument slightly larger and lower-pitched than the violin; like the violin, it is held on the shoulder.
In brief
- Family: Bowed string instrument (middle voice of the violin family)
- Origin: Northern Italy, 16th century; developed alongside the violin
- Body and materials: Larger than the violin; body length about 38–46 cm
- Strings: 4; C–G–D–A, a fifth lower than the violin
- Frets: Fretless; comma intervals are stopped by finger placement
- Playing: Held between chin and shoulder like the violin and played with a bow
- Notation: Usually written in the alto (C) clef
Listen
History
The viola, from the violin family of Western music, was used in the 20th century in some fasıl and radio ensembles of Turkish music to fill the middle register between the violin and the cello. In makam music it has remained far less common than the violin.
Construction
It has the same structure as the violin: an arched wooden body, two f-shaped sound holes, a fretless fingerboard, a pegbox and a scroll. Its body is slightly larger; its four strings are tuned a fifth below the violin.
How it is played
Like the violin, it is held between the chin and the shoulder and played with a bow; the fingers of the left hand press the string directly onto the fingerboard.
Its place in makam music
Being fretless, it can stop the comma intervals of the makams. In makam music it is mainly an ensemble instrument; it follows the melody with a lower, warmer tone than the violin and fills out the range of the ensemble.
Getting started: types, sizes, tuning
Start with this instrument
Masters on recordings
Performers who play this instrument on recordings of works in the score archive (MusicBrainz).
Frequently asked questions about the Viola
What is the difference between the viola and the violin?
The viola is a little larger than the violin and its strings are tuned a fifth lower (C, G, D, A); its sound is darker, warmer and more veiled. Its music is also mostly written in the alto (C) clef rather than the treble clef, because its range falls between the violin and the cello. Its hold and bowing technique are very similar to the violin's, so someone who knows the violin can move to the viola easily.
Why is the viola rarely used in makam music?
The traditional ensembles of makam music present the melody in unison, with many instruments playing together; in this setup, the bright sound of the violin and instruments such as the ney, kanun and tanbur are enough to carry the melody. The viola was mostly used in large radio ensembles and orchestras to fill the middle voices. No established tradition developed of it as a solo makam instrument.
Is the viola hard to learn?
The basic technique is the same as the violin's: posture, bow hold and finding the right pitch on a fretless fingerboard. Because the body and string spacing are larger, finger stretch and bow pressure require a bit more strength. Most players start on the violin and then move to the viola; learning to read the alto clef is a matter of a few weeks of getting used to.
Can I play the viola on this site?
Yes. The “Play in the browser” button opens the virtual viola; the sounds are viola notes from the University of Iowa's freely usable instrument recordings. The pitches of the makam you choose play at their comma values; by playing the same makam on the virtual violin and virtual cello, you can compare the tone colors of the three instruments.