Viola - Method of Playing

Method of Playing

A person who plays the viola is called a violist or a viola player. The technique required for playing a viola has certain differences compared with that of a violin, partly because of its larger size: the notes are spread out farther along the fingerboard and often require different fingerings. The viola's less responsive strings and the heavier bow warrant a somewhat different bowing technique, and a violist has to lean more intensely on the strings.

• The viola is held in the same manner as the violin, however due to its larger size, some adjustments must be made to accommodate. The viola, just like the violin, is placed on top of the left-hand shoulder between the shoulder and the left side of the face (chin). Because of the viola's size, violists with short arms tend to use smaller-sized instruments for easier playing. The most immediately noticeable adjustments that a player accustomed to playing violin has to make are to use wider-spaced fingerings. It is common for some players to use a wider and more intense vibrato in the left hand, facilitated by employing the fleshier pad of the finger rather than the tip, and to hold the bow and right arm further away from the player's body. A violist must bring the left elbow farther forward or around, so as to reach the lowest string, which allows the fingers to press firmly and so create a clearer tone. Unless the violist has especially large hands, different positions are often used, including half position.
• The viola is generally strung with heavier strings than the violin. This, combined with its larger size and lower pitch range, results in a deeper and mellower tone. However, the thicker strings also mean that the viola 'speaks' more slowly. Practically speaking, if a violist and violinist are playing together, the violist must begin moving the bow a fraction of a second sooner than the violinist. The thicker strings also mean that more weight must be applied with the bow to make them speak.

• The viola's bow has a wider band of horsehair than a violin's bow, which is particularly noticeable near the frog (or 'heel' in the UK). Viola bows 70–74 grams (2.5–2.6 oz) are heavier than violin bows 58–61 grams (2.0–2.2 oz). The profile of the rectangular outside corner of a viola bow frog generally is more rounded than on violin bows.