16.5 inches is the largest readily available viola size. Bigger violas are certainly available, but you may have to look harder to find them.
The generally accepted norm is 16.5." If you could easily reach 16.25" and are planning to get a good viola to last you, I would strongly suggest taking the jump to a 16.5" viola. You will get a noticeably better sound. That being said, it also depends a lot upon your particular instrument.
The larger the viola, the richer and louder the produced tone would be. However, many modern violas no longer play by these rules. While a larger instrument will still project more than a smaller one, most modern violas will produce a full, rich tone regardless of size.
Violas of between 16 and 16 ½ inches [40.6 to 42 cm] are considered as medium size, with small violas sometimes being as short as 15 inches, [38.2 cm] with large violas occasionally reaching 18 inches.
The 14-inch viola is the same length as the full-size (4/4) violin... BUT put it under your chin. It's deeper, measuring from front to back. This requires a shallower shoulder pad.
Viola sizes are defined by measuring the reverse side length from the side of the button to the centre line at the base. Violas of between 16 and 16½ inches (40.6 to 42cm) are classed as large-sized and suitable for most adults.
The smallest viola measures 12 inches. The largest is 16 ½ inches, and is used by professional players. Professional players prefer a bigger viola for deeper sound.
Usually, violas are more expensive than violins within the same quality range. Since the viola is larger than the violin, it costs a bit more, though usually not that much more. A slightly more expensive price might be also caused by supply and demand since not as many violas are sold compared to violins.
The left hand is then extended out under the instrument with the Scroll resting in the palm of their hand. If the arm is at a 90° angle or less, the instrument is too small. If the arm if stretched out straight or close to straight, the instrument is too big.
They are used as a children's size originally. They are also used as an easy way for violinists to play viola: the distances between the fingers are the same. The most regular viola sizes are 15 and 16 inch. For large people viola's even come in bigger sizes: 17 and 18 inch…
Body and Neck Length
Finding the appropriate sizes of violas can be challenging. Add the back and neck length to determine how far you will need to stretch your arm while playing. Then, deduct the length of the strings from the result to know how far you need to stretch your right arm.
To evaluate the violas, test them with different bows, play scales, play different passages (both fast and slow ones), play all strings in all registers, and play with and without vibrato. Check the tone of different violas.
The best way to tell is to play it and see if you like the sound, but there are other clues, such as the material the wood is made from. What is the best viola to buy? You should always choose a suitable instrument for your size and budget, and check out some reviews online.
Good Quality Beginner Violas ($700-$1500) Intermediate Violas ($1500-$5000) Advanced Violas ($5000-$10000) Professional Violas ($10000+)
If you have small hands, it does not make you a lesser viola player. In fact, it can make you more conscious of staying flexible and loose, and you will always be looking for better technical solutions, without ever becoming complacent.
The range of a viola is three and one third octaves. The range goes from one octave below middle C to the E note that is two and a half octaves above middle C. This range is considered a moderate one for a stringed instrument.
Cello. The cello looks like the violin and viola but is much larger (around 4 feet long), and has thicker strings than either the violin or viola. Of all the string instruments, the cello sounds most like a human voice, and it can make a wide variety of tones, from warm low pitches to bright higher notes.
String instruments that use bows, such as violins and violas, may need an upgrade if the bow hair becomes worn down and makes the instrument too difficult to play. Many “beginner” model instruments simply degrade in quality as they age.
Typically, if you're playing your instrument on a regular basis, we advise that you change your strings every 3-6 months. If you only play infrequently, it's possible that your strings will last up to a year. If you can't recall the last time you replaced your strings, you're likely ready for a fresh set.
As previously stated, there's a rumor that the viola is for musicians who want to avoid the dedication it takes to play the violin. However, the viola is actually often more difficult to play than the violin. Some of the reasons for this are the viola's larger size and commensurate heavier weight.
MacDonald Stradivarius Viola – $45,000,000
In the number one spot for the most high-priced instrument of all time is the MacDonald Stradivarius. But surprisingly, it's not a violin, but a Viola and part of the reason it's so expensive is that there are reported to be only ten Stradivarius violas in existence today.
Viola and violins are tuned differently – with the viola being tuned a fifth lower than the violin. This lower range of sound is more attractive to some, and it is the most common reason violinists switch to the viola.
Range. There are four strings on the viola which are tuned a Perfect 5th apart. The lowest is C then G, D and A is the top string. The lower strings have a richer, darker sound and to exploit this it is quite common for composers to write that a particular phrase should be played on a particular string.