Viola

The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.

Violin Vs. Viola

It is easy to mistake the viola for the violin due to the similarity in size, closeness in pitch range (the viola is a perfect fifth below the violin), and nearly identical playing position. The viola's timbre sets it apart: its rich, dark-toned sonority is more full-bodied than the violin's. Unlike the violin, the viola's mellow voice being frequently used for playing inner harmonies, it is not used for wide solo repertoire.

More information

Sheet music for the viola is primarily read in the alto clef. The alto clef is not used very often and since it is used mostly by the violas it is referred to as the viola clef.

It is used mostly in contemporary pop music, orchestral music, and folk music.

Uses in popular music

Kansas' "Dust in the Wind", as well as other tracks by the band, features a viola melody. Robby Steinhardt played violin, viola, and cello on the song, and he or David Ragsdale plays at least one of these on most Kansas songs.

The Who's "Baba O'Riley" from the album Who's Next features an extended viola solo played by Dave Arbus of East of Eden.

The Goo Goo Dolls featured the viola in "We are the Normal".