I'm going to get this out of the way first: I'm a guitarist. I know that the viola is nothing like the guitar but I have an interest in it for its uniqueness and its sound. I don't know much about it and I know there's differences between violins and violas but I don't know of all of them except that the viola is a bit bigger, doesn't have as large a repertoire, and is (usually?) used for adding harmonies. I think I would like the viola more than the violin because I hear it has a deeper and darker sound and that sounds appealing... Anyway if anyone wants to enlighten me I would appreciate it.

Some questions I have: Is it capable of playing two or more notes at once using a bow or do you have to use pizzicato (sp?)

I'm 18 and I'm planning to major in music later this year when I go to college- I LOVE classical, baroque, romantic, and renaissance composers. I've been really into Vivaldi lately. I think playing the viola would give me a greater appreciation and understanding of orchestral music and the like...

Rant is done.

Ok there is a major differnece between a viola and violin

-Violist are better period
-We read alto clef which is better than any clef
-Were not nasally and bright like a violin we are dark and melancholy
-Are bass bars are bigger
-Yes we can play two notes at once its called a double stop and no you dont have to play pizz. no sp.
-I dont know about guitar but quality matters no cheap instruments!!!!!!!!!!


Shawn

Thank you Shawn, that helps a lot. It will be a while before I can afford one but I'm looking forward to it.

A great viola is a Andreas Eastman model number it has a nice dark melancholy tone that i think is aboutsoulutely great i own a Andreas Eastman viola number 405 with a poplar back