What is the difference between the violin and the viola?
I would like to know... so if you could tell me that would be great!
Thanx
-aKari

They sound different too. The viola is more resonant, and its tone tends to be more reedy (slightly like an oboe or English horn). Since, as you mention, the viola's size isn't standardized, this will vary according to the viola (as well as according to the player).

Why isn't the viola's size standardized? Because the ideal size would make it too big to be held under your neck yet not big enough to be played on the floor like a cello.

An easier way to put it is.... The Viola is slightly larger than a Violin.

I believe it is one scale lower that the Violin. Or deeper.
They are used for different purposes... The Viola is the harmony and violin is the lead.



XD

I sound smart. (looks at the date. o-o.)

Another big difference is that the violin uses the Treble Clef and the viola uses the alto clef.

the violin and viola are two totally different animals or should i say instruments. The viola overall is a larger instrument with a deeper richer sound and tends to sound displeasing in higher octaves unless a skilled musician is playing. The violin is smaller and sounds better higher. Ask a violinist and a violist to play their g string, the violas' sounds clearer while the violins' almost sounds congested. I play both so i have a pretty good handle on the difference. the strings are different as well violin being e a d g and the viola being a d g c. Also the players are different, violists are way cooler than violinists.