Many people constantly think that these two are the same thing. But us musicians (and ones in the know) know that they are not! For way too long these two have been confused as twins, not siblings, but let me help with debunking what they are and what they aren’t.

First off, the violin is like that preppy, popular, and vibrant sibling that is constantly in the spotlight. Because of their popularity, it is incredibly obvious that they are widely recognized no matter what your clique is. On the other hand, the viola is the chill, laid-back, down-to-earth sibling. But don’t get it twisted, the viola can be just as powerful as the violin.

Physical Attributes

Physically, the violin is smaller in size ranging from 7”–14” at the body (18 cm-36 cm) while the viola ranges from (typically) 10”–16.5” (25 cm–42 cm). Full sized violas are also made thicker, meaning that the ribs (the space between the top and bottom plates) is larger in comparison to the violin. A  viola bass bar is also thicker and longer than the one in a violin.

Since violins are smaller, their range goes very high. Violins are set up and tuned with GDAE strings which are a fifth above the viola, tuned at CGDA. By simply listening to the two, one’s ear can tell apart the violin and viola. Have a listen for yourself!

Violin:

https://youtu.be/I03Hs6dwj7E?si=ZOPxzyVAySg1EtsN&t=22

Viola:

https://youtu.be/74k3q8_VrBg?si=wXZoW_45lpDFs6-V&t=85

Shout out to these performers. Big fan! Anyways, notice how the viola is deep and rich sound, while the violin is higher and lighter.

What about mini violas? Are they the same as violin?

No. A ton of people think that smaller violas in the 10”- 13” range are the same as 1/16 – 3/4 violins, and that’s simply not true! Although some people sneakily get away with setting up a violin with viola strings, that would not classify the instrument as a “viola.”  The components that make up a viola as mentioned in the “Physical Attributes” section would also apply to smaller violas. The easiest way to tell if you have a violin with viola strings would be to measure the thickness.

So… which is the right one for me?

Honestly, both instruments come with their own sack of goodies, as well as their annoying bits. A violin being widely recognized has more of a positive view from people. The sound is captivating and everyone wants to play it! The nice, high range is generally more charming to the general public. But I’ve heard comments that a violin sounds like a mosquito flying near your ear when played above 8^th position.

Many people enjoy the deeper sounds of the viola as is, but also enjoy that they are versatile and can play both in a violin’s register as well as its own. Violas are sadly usually out of the main spotlight, so they are lesser known to regular folks, but are incredibly underrated for that reason. If you want to be niche and underground, make sure to pick up a viola!

Deciding whether to play the violin or the viola comes down to personal preference. Although the two instruments are similar, their differences are what make each one unique. The violin has a bright, expressive sound, while the viola produces a deeper, warmer tone. All in all, both instruments are beautifully crafted and capable of creating incredibly beautiful music, making either one a great choice to learn.