© Copyright reserved Excellence Publication Company LImited 2012.

©Copyright reserved 　 Excellence Publication Company LImited 2012


A Supporting Character

Viola belongs to string instruments which contains four strings and it is commonly made of wood. The size of a viola is slightly larger than a violin and it can produce a lower and softer sound, the requirements of technique and physical strength is relatively much higher. Viola is always used as accompaniment and seldom arrange as a solo performance .


An orchestra commonly contains two to eight viola players

Play the role of Middle-higher range and perform a typical soft low-patched sound

Mainly acts as an accompaniment to make the sounds of performance much harmonious


Strings

Bridge

Bow

Rosin

The notation of viola is The notation of viola is generally marked in alto generally marked in alto cleclef.f.


How to read Alto Clef (C Clef) ？

The most common clef that we use for most of the instruments are Treble Clef (G Clef) and Bass Clef (F clef). Beside these two clefs, we also have a clef called Alto clef which is not often used except viola.Alto clef is using a different format to read the notes of the clef compare to treble clef and bass clef. The note on the middle line is always C. (shown as follows)


What are the differences between violin and viola?

The structure, material and shape of violin and viola are similar. The main difference is the size of a viola is slightly bigger than a violin. There is no standard length among the violas. It is usually 16 inches long (around 41 cm) for most violas nowadays.

Viola

Violin


Are the four strings of the viola have a same tone with those of the violin?

Violin

E A D G

Viola

A D G C

The viola's four strings are normally tuned in fifths below the violin so that they have three strings in common. However, their sound are in difference.


Are there any difference between the bows of the viola and the violin?

The bow of the viola is slightly shorter than the violin ‘s. The weight of the viola’s bow is around 70g. to 72g., heavier than the violin’s for 3g. to 11g..

Violin

Viola


The arm which holds the viola curves and places the viola on the shoulder. Then tightens it with the chopfallen and shoulder.

Vibrates the strings to produce sounds by the bow.

The bowing area is larger and different fingerings is required. A violist may also employs the fleshier pad of the finger to hold the bow.

The violist must begin moving the bow a fraction of a second sooner as it takes more time to produce a sound on a thicker strings compare to the strings on violin.

Some compositions can be played by plucking the strings.


Lionel Tertis (1876 － 1975)

Karl Philipp Stamitz (1745 － 1801)

William Primrose (1904 － 1982 )

Nishizaki Takako (1944—)

Tertis

Primrose


W.A. Mozart : Sinfonia concertante in E flat for violin,viola and orchestra

R.G. Strauss : Don Quixote

H. L. Berlioz : Harold in Italy

E. Elgar : Enigma Variations

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