6.5.08. violin vs. viola: the basics

[ohmaigawd11]

I play the viola! i didnt know it was bigger, thankyou for the video! im in my first year of playing, working toward grade 1 soon!

[hackett1607]

yay, viola represent!

[11bampira]

both of you guys are absolutely good teachers(^_^)thanks 4 that..

[ShopItSmart]

Amazing! Had no idea how beautiful the viola sounds. Excellent Job on the video too.

[lizzard2371]

thanks for posting, i have a hard core music appreciation teacher & I had no clue what the difference between the viola & violin.

[Themadfarter1976]

Thank you. I was curious about the difference too.

[SmilinSweetpea]

Thank you for posting this. I was wondering about the difference in sound, and playing technique between thesew 2 instruments and this was the most helpful video.

[lovelygirl51191]

People these days don't even know what's a viola -.-

[Heavymetalmozart666]

I have a situation here I play the violin I'm great at it Although I signed up for solo and ensemble for high school And the song I chose was a song named lily I practiced the song all semester You can say I mastered it But today I found out that it's only for the viola And I never played viola before And solo and ensemble is next month What should I do? Do I approach the viola and learn it to play the song? Or get another solo?

[trululiz]

@Heavymetalmozart666 Uh :/

[littlemissscottie]

the viola rocks :D

[neffboy747]

I play viola I'm 11 it's great.

[Tiwaking]

This was a great and helpful video!! YouTube: Better than Wikipedia since 2008!

[TheContreras30]

im in a violen class but there r some viola players too

[hollytree1996]

@georgie9084

You never wanna tune the strings down/up. They are totally different instruments and should be treated as such. The tuning is different, the bow is a LITTLE larger on viola, and on viola the tone is a bit richer. The viola is an octave up from cello (I play viola and have to explain this constantly). The viola is sized very different. Instead of 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, and full sized like any other stringed instrument, the viola's size range in 1/2 inches. I play a 15" viola (which is TINY).

[DianaPham12]

4 year viola player here! ( and two year violin player too!)

[lalaland98]

today i found out my ''violin'' was a viola... haha

[7Phynyx]

Haha! "My instrument is bigger than yours!" Of course, I mean, that's obviously one of the biggest deciding factors of preference. (Not, it's sarcasm, please don't take it the wrong way.) But really, this was very helpful! Thank you!

[requiem4sorrow]

This is one of the best videos on youtube. Subscribed.

[bobpower1234]

I play viola too! I'm 9 and I just started playing! Thanks for the insperation

[mrkyle316]

@bobpower1234 bob keep playing, stick with it. trust me when you get older you will be happy that you did.

[georgie9084]

Well, ok...full sized, one is bigger than the other. What if you went to a shop and saw this instrument and you're not quite sure if it's a child-size viola or a full size violin? That kind of thing, because they do look very similar. Is it essentially the tuning of the intrument, where in a pinch you can even convert your violin into a smallish viola?

[valentinetsm]

You guys are funny. Thank you for the information. It was helpful.

[AmirKhanUchiha]

Violas and 2nd Violins in a Orchestra get paid the most.

[Denoheatwave]

My instrument is bigger then yours, dang right, its bigger then yours.

[lasagnapotterlover]

I play the viola and it is awesome !!

[poopinitup]

Thanks guys

[niesley4]

Thank you for this video. I have been trying to make a decision between violin and viola, and this was a big help.

[MsStarWarsFreak]

One of my friends plays the viola, and the other the violin. The viola player always gets so offended when I tell her I like violins better. ^_^

[cobrasaboteur1]

what's the difference between a trampoline and a viola?

-you take your shoes off to jump on a trampoline.

[JonathanJanzen]

@cobrasaboteur1 What's the difference between a dead cat in the road, and a smashed viola in the road?

-The cat has skid marks in front of it.

Nah, I'm just kidding, I love the viola, how it sounds. It's a beautiful instrument. Keep it up!

[rafarc21]

Thanks a lot!!!



[xXxShugoMamoxXx]

This video was extreeeeemely helpful, thanks guys! :D

[psyckla5]

i need help i currently play a strobel viola and i want another one thats new quality since mine is a bit busted up and i want another strobel

[Kikatris]

18 people do not play any of the instruments probably :D

[coyote7272]

I originally play the violin but I've wanted to get into the Viola, it's a tough decision!

[AyelenSweetheart]

Thanks guys, I had no idea of the differences and I want to learn how to play a new instrument, just have to decide which one :)

[MrJebiga1]

"my instrument is much bigger than yours"

not at least, becous the one is a chinese...

secret mobbing...

[Akalovexx]

@hallynejw

I definately reccomend the violin; I play it myself and it gives me lots of enjoyment. I personally find it an intense instruement and if you really get into it; it can seem like a fantasy.

[funnyband22]

I play the. Viola too

[smegan6]

I play viola myself.

I get a bit jealous that the violin plays the melodies but I love the rich tone from the viola.

[noobageownerx3]

@smegan6 same... the rich tone sounds sooo nice :P

[pandiibby]

@smegan6

Agreed. 

[rachray83]

@smegan6 I live the richness of the viola too. I played the violin as a kid and am going to try and pick it back up. ALL of it. It's been almost 20 years so technically I'm a beginner. Just wondering if I'd like to make a switch...

[boobie284]

@smegan6 look for viola solos... I love the viola :D

[gersonhdezm]

@smegan6

If you learn the viola, is more easily to learn the violin, why don't you try it?

[HallyneJw]

Oh my... Can't decide if I should start to learn violin, viola, or cello... I'm a pianist. XD Help?

[TPOver9000]

@HallyneJw Listen a lot of music with each instrument and see if you fell in love with the voice of eighter Cello, Viola or Violin. My advice is pick the violin up, learn and you can make a transition to Viola if you want. There is a lot of material composed for Violin and Cello, Viola not so much. But my best advice is, listen a lot of music, a lot of string quartets, and if you can rent a violin one week, a viola another and a cello another, and spend some time with each one. Then decide.

[Buildoman]

@HallyneJw Go viola. You definitely get much more praise and better scholarships, while being appreciated for having such a vital but underappreciated part of the orchestra.

[pamelareno00]

my viola sounds nothing like the viola here:(

[kuronekochan44]

alto clef world domination

[alopez850]

its sad how the violin mainly the play the main tune and the viola plays as the "back singers" so to speak and rarely play the main tune

[AgnazarTube]

Guys, you're great! Thanks for video!

[yponphilip]

in my music class there were like 18 violin people and only 2 PEOPLE HAD VIOLA!!

[TheBEATLESMania100n2]

@yponphilip I'm the only person in my Korea orchestra class to play viola. I go to  Sangwon Middle School. I fell so lonely lol

[kuronekochan44]

@yponphilip in my class there are 6 violas, but thats compared to like 35 violins

[hadeslovesgreenday]

"my instrument is bigger than yours!"

my instrument is bigger than both of yours combined! ;D i'm a totally biased cello player....

[firedeathterror999]

fuck , i love violas , but i always confuse the viola and the cello in the concerts(by the sound) , sometimes they sound a lot like the same , can someone tell me some tips to diference them (sorry for my bad english)

[MoreLikeCappuccino]

Ack! I cant decide if i wana switch to viola or not >.< they both soud so fuckin *Eargasm*

Fuck it! Ima combine them both together! And make a new instrument called a

Viola-in

[bieberbaby123456]

Viola al the way

[3DSDude1]

i mite switch toviola

[xojess1304]

which one do you recommend, the viola or violin?

[TheQueenViolin]

@xojess1304 VIOLIN DEFINETELY

[kitsune528]

I remember I used to get so mad whenever people looked at my viola and asked if I played Violin.... XD

[theare169]

I play the viola!!!!!

[nayeliarroyo]

i miss playing the viola!!

[winnerACE1109]

My stupid sister took violin clases for an entire year n she told me the viola was smaller!

[thomasc42]

@winnerACE1109 It's always different depending on your OWN size. A full size violin is probably the size of a 13 inch viola.

[inotosaka]

Which one would you guys recomend? I am having difficuilties...

[MrsLuvful]

I love it from 3:00 to 3:05!

[pandiibby]

@cjjojo97

You obviously have good taste then :D

Violist Unite! <3

[TPOver9000]

Viola rules, just got mine 5 days ago and im in love.

[freerunner4life123]

finaly the violine went threw peubirty

[acolytes777]

I got a violin....but I think I like a viola more

[MALVIDEOS1]

VIOLAS RULE! ;)

[PacificaChan]

Which do you think is easier to learn, viola or violin??

[doglover427]

My instrument is bigger than both of yours put together! Ha! Lol, thanks for this video. It really helped.

[dogzluvr13]

Wow, I enjoyed this. Fun to watch these two, plus I learned a bit.

I wonder, if you learn the violin, could you easily pick up the cello or the viola? And vice versa?

[IseeYouAndYouDont]

You guys look so professional and respectful and then the bloopers XD cute!

[lostangelbeata]

i love how the viola sounds

[thelaughingguitar]

Let's say you wanted to get a cello. But you don't like the low tones of it. And you don't like the high notes and "squeakiness" of the violin. What to do? You get a VIOLA! But no one knows what a viola is. So…? Get a flute.

[1Bloodbane]

i am going to get a cello

[almahurt]

Thank you so much for this video. My 9 yrs old daughter was undecided between the Violin and the Viola, but with your VERY helpful video she fell in LOVE with the richer sound of the VIOLA... THANK YOU!!!

BTW any recommendations for a student learning to play the Viola?

[xLava13itchx]

Does Alex know where to buy the cheapest Viola? Because I want to learn to play the viola, but my family is quite short on money.

[The26bolder]

@xLava13itchx Try out music outlets and find a used viola, but do your best to stay away from buying a viola (or any other instrument) off the internet. Pieces of trash are worth 10 bucks, let alone 100$...

[cassandraDT13]

Is it hard learning how to play the violin/viola?

I want to learn how to play!

[AOMCmusic]

@cassandraDT13 I do not play it myself, but I know people who do, and they say it is extremely hard, especially at first. I've heard it compared in difficulty to learning the guitar. And since I do play the guitar, I'll tell you that truly learning that thing is really hard. But learning any instrument you appreciate is immensely rewarding, so I say go for it if money allows!

[The26bolder]

@cassandraDT13 I'm beginning the viola and i can say it's difficult to learn BY YOURSELF. Fairly easy to pick up concepts from good tutors and just takes practice :3

[gothicgrowler]

I hate when people say "I like your violin!" IT'S A VIOLA, DAMMIT!! >.<

[aRedRoseFTW]

Answered all my questions thanks!

[MreenalMams]

well explained.. very easy to understand..

[diabolicdeath09]

wats better violin or viola

[gothicgrowler]

@diabolicdeath09 Viola, for sure :)

[MrSlim2024]

any recommendations on what size and brand or where i can buy a decent, but not too pricy viola? im a beginner

[franalvacad1]

VIOLAs Rock:)

[marcusunlimited]

Nice nice comparison video, answering the classic questions. Does your violist friend also have a viola?

[LianaTigra]

"The viola is a violin with a college education."

-William Primrose

[roxhawet11]

i like viola better, i want a viola more than a violin, but i'm 11, do you guys think i can play the viola?

[UltimateFlank]

@roxhawet11 Definitely. Violas get down to quite small sizes, and go up to very large. I believe the sizes are 11"-17" but I could be wrong. I'm on a small 13" and I need to upgrade to a full-size, but even though mine is small, it still gets great sound! If you put your mind to it and learn it as a passion and not a job, you can definitely learn. Good luck! : )

[soccerolmos]

@UltimateFlank Are you describing your dick

[squareenixfreak1]

I was very frustrated that the majority of violin players i knew in high school said they were the same friggin thing. Personally i like the viola more, deeper sound and like they mentioned "thicker".....also it's bigger than the violin (lol xD)

[LaughingMage]

I still can't decide. I'm LEANING towards violin though.

[AltoNicoRuso]

@Zoogo3 yeah my I have been playing the viola for five years now my family members took 2-3 years to get used to knowing what a viola was. I used to tell people exactly what you say to them but now a days I just tell them I play the Alto Violin :P

[katalyniovan]

I HAVE TWO VIOLINS...VERY GOOD SOUND!!!

[TinkerbellaDay]

Last year, when i started viola. I was looking forward to getting a violin. Instead i got viola. I was sad. But after so long. Me and my friend were the only violas in the school. We got told violin is better. Haha i actually was the worst viola there!! But what im getting at is, violas can do anything violin can

And anything a cello can. Its why they call it viola!! Sepreno to alto VIOLAS r awesome

[cougarclaw1]

Should my child going to sixth grade orchestra who has been playing the violin for a year keep playing violin or switch to viola for other reasons?

[ekalb2185]

basically it is like the equivalent like how we have guitar and bass and baritone guitar,basically the viola is the baritone it is between violin and cello

[meridalemusicmachine]

A violin burns hotter, a viola burns longer

[yumberri]

@meridalemusicmachine yes this is indeed accurate. I once threw a stradivarius violin in a campfire as well as a viola and the violin deffinitely cooked my potatoes and steak nicely while the viola managed to cook 7 cutthroat trouts. : D

[wrw28405]

I'm a pianist and violist, but violin and cello are close secondary instruments. Generally, if you can play a viola, you can almost definitely play violin, and vice versa, though going from violin to viola gives the challenge of an INCREASE in space between the fingers, which is a problem to some violinists. Cello is a different beast entirely. I like all of them however, and I would encourage any violist to learn violin and any violinist to learn viola.

[KaseyB101]

I play viola. I like viola because it is in between violin, that is really high and cello, which is very low. You can also make the viola high and low. Also violin is way to common and viola is more unique!

[HickysBoy]

Good stuff! I am for some reason fascinated by the Viola. Aside from being my second favorite sounding instrument, its history, physics and such are quite interesting. Although I play only the drum, I am thinking of joining the American Viola Society to dig deeper.

[Eagleman201]

viola rocks

[Zappyguy111]

Being a violinist, I loved the sound of the viola when I had a chance to play one. But the viola does sound nicer, but there are very few pieces dedicated for them, which is a shame.

[existtraiesc]

what i like about the violin (even though it sounds like a dying cat comparing to the viola) is that it has the potential to reach the extremes of moods. It can be a very happy instrument, for folkloric, celtic, gipsy (and other) music but it can also be very tear jerking, when playing a sad song. As for the Viola, even though it sounds deeper than the violin, it doesn't give you the same energetic kind of emotion (both happy and sad) but a soothing-jazzy 1 that you will never need to stop it.

[Megapie2009]

i play viola and i'm pretty good at it :o AND EVERY TIME MY TEACHER SAYS I FORGOT MY INSTRUMENT SHE SAYS "MEGAN DID YOU FORGET UR VIOLIN" AND IM LIKE "NO IT'S A VIOLA D:<" AND THEN MY CLASS IS LIKE "OKAY JEEEEEEEEEZ" :(

[zeebdeath]

YEAH! VIOLAS 4 LIFE!!!

[CinRandom]

I have two full sized violins sitting under my bed collecting dust. They each cost 1,000 dollars and I took lessons for a year when I was younger. I want to go back at it, im fifteen now, am I too old?

[megan9987]

@CinRandom Don't let such a beautiful instrument sit lonely. And I definitely don't think you're too old, you're never too old to play music! Relive the wonder of those beautiful violins :) Good luck!

[CinRandom]

@megan9987 i will be starting lessons again, and it feels good, because my two full sized violins were gifts which i never could use because, when i started playing the violin i used half sized violins.

[Eagleman201]

@CinRandom hahahahahahahahah dude 15 omg people i know started violin and viola at 45 and 38 lol 15 is young and remember YOUR NEVER TO OLD TO PLAY INSTRUMENTS

[AznPandaFTW]

@Eagleman201 Well, like I always say...

"The best time to start violin was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

[Zoogo3]

"You play the violin, right?" "No, I play the viola." "What's that?" "Yknow. Bigger than a violin. Smaller than a cello." ".... They have those?" -- my life

[ohCorinnaBourbon]

thank you for such a video like this! i was writting about viola 'n couldn't find how does it sounds - and then i found your video! YOU HELPED ME!!!!

[Lugiaskr]

i want a 5 string violin D:

[liyanne12]

i waannaa learnn to playy the violaa soo badd cuz myy lastt namee is Viola!! :D

[Eagleman201]

@liyanne12 lol then play i hate people saying Im to OLD or IM TO YOUNG wth You never too old or too young but in ur case playing viola would be perfect

[liyanne12]

@Eagleman201 its nott thatt,,,, Myy mom wont let me playy cuz its all expensivee D:

[Eagleman201]

@liyanne12 well since you said "mom" i would think youre under 18 and going to school in which most schools have teachers that teach you how to play and in most school you can borrow an instrument for free just dont break it and also if not you can go to sites like craiglist or people in flea markets sell violin and viola for very cheap

[Notokayipromise]

Quick and informative.

[foxxy3225]

i play violin but i do want to learn viola too ooo and i know cello!!!! :D

[pandiibby]

No one EVER knows what a Viola is :'( I get so tired of trying to explain it every time I tell someone what I play >.< Gr!

I <3 Lola The Viola! :D <--- Yes, I named it.

[Zappyguy111]

@pandiibby

I feel sorry for you... I've never had to, probably I've got a violist in my friendship circle.

[pandiibby]

@Zappyguy111

I feel sorry for all of us who have to do it :'(

[OriginalZach]

@pandiibby then don't explain. Tell them to watch this video. 

[02baritone]

@pandiibby i play the euphonium and i have to explain that ITS NOT a mini-tuba all the time, i know what you mean

[pandiibby]

@02baritone

Aaahhh its so annoying, isnt it?

[UltimateFlank]

@pandiibby I always just say "It's a manly violin" haha.

[pandiibby]

@UltimateFlank

Yeah I hear yeah. Most of the time i just say its looks like a violin but with the strings of a cello :)

[ILikeFryz]

@pandiibby Same here! I tell them "I play the viola!" then they say "you mean violin?" and im like "NO I KNOW WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT!"

[brainblast4207]

@pandiibby Same I love the viola



[pandiibby]

@brainblast4207

Glad Im not alone *sniff* I thought I was the only one who had that problem. x)

[MALVIDEOS1]

@pandiibby ikr ever one always asked me wat the viola is VIOLAS RULE!

[pandiibby]

@MALVIDEOS1

I feel your pain brother (or sister). Stay strong.

Continue to fight the good fight! :P haha

Violas Rule!

[linkfreak117]

@pandiibby hahaha i know exactly what you mean man! i hate it too

[MrZoaboy2]

i play viola and im 12 itz fun i like being in a song when we back up the violins but my orch. has more violins

[lolzhai28]

@MrZoaboy2 same here lol same age and everything

[Swimmingmania]

Viola at heart, forever and always (: <3

[jhark515]

this is cool

[DBoVolente]

:D You seem to be some funny guys, nice video and thanks for the comparison! :) Is there a difference if you take a look at the price? ( I am a beginner and after watching this video, the viola seems to be the better choice for me :P )

[psychosuey]

Help please... i love folk / classical violin. but i also love the sound of the 'max payne' theme; which i assumes a viola..... im a total begginer im not sure what to buy :/ im thinking violin because of the folk. but im unsure. not sure what my queestion is...but advise?

[jr33dav]

Violas better it's a cross between violin and cello plus I'm a viola

[chaoticemo6]

no one ever know what a viola is

[Aeto22]

2:27...hahahahahaha so funny lmao

[ILOVEmangaandanime1]

people are like "u play violin" im like "pfftt no viola" there just like "the fuck is that" and im like "well its bigger and thicker than the violin, and it has lower stings with its lowest note being c and not g, the neck is shorter and it is heavier, its more of an 'alto' whereas a violin is a 'soprano' " there like, "what the fuck?" im like "=.= its a big funny soundin violin"

[c00lryguy]

You guys rock.

[naruhina0827]

my instrument brings all the boys to the yard and they're like, it's bigger than yours

:)

[TheADK1994]

hahahahahaha 3:00 i cracked up

[dappledbaybeauty]

viola sounds heaps better

[morpheus9494]

this video makes me feel bad

i play violin,i wanted to play viola at first but we had a violin so i went with that

i feel sad D: (did i alrdy post a comment like this?)

[diamond3187]

@morpheus9494 But through knowing how to play the violin, you can transfer to the viola (you can see how Paul managed to). I mean, it's not like you wanted to play the viola but chose to play the saxophone (which of course has no relation)... So don't worry, be happy...

[MsHarryPotterGeek]

i love viola, but its so under appreciated

sometimes i translate violin parts to alto clef, because their music rocks and ours is uhhh no so fun to play :/

[TheADK1994]

@MsHarryPotterGeek well there are not much Viola players so they can give most solo to viola but i like viola cause we get enough solo considered there is only 2-3 players out of like 45 players

[Kuoted]

I played Violin for such a long time, and I actually want a Viola, deeper and richer sounds always > sharp and edgy.... same thing with girlfr-............

And yes, I totally agree with "My instrument's bigger than yours"

[Tritan2095]

Viola player here! Viola's rule! (don't worry... still love the violin, cello and bass!)

[pamelareno00]

i was going into the orchestra and i didnt know what the difference is between a violin and viola. I has to choose one. After watching this video, I decided to go with viola. Great vid!

[FireTacoRed]

Violas are way better! We're so under-appreciated, my mom still calls my viola a violin sometimes! OTL

[centavraalfa]

My instrument is bigger then yours :)

[Opeth15cool]

Looks like I'm going with the Viola.

[6Dahlia6]

i play violin but my vote goes to the viola. i would really like to play it!!

[jdavidgaviria]

Thanks man, good comparison!

[MamaPalma]

Thanks - I just started playing the violin and this little video helped me understand the difference between the two instruments. I must admit, I like the richer deeper tones of the viola.

[zetsway121]

its sad, because all of the violins still the spot light.