The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.
The casual observer may mistake the viola for the violin because of their similarity in size, closeness in pitch range (the viola is a perfect fifth below the violin), and nearly identical playing position. However, the viola's timbre sets it apart: its rich, dark-toned sonority is more full-bodied than the violin's. The viola's ...
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The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.
The casual observer may mistake the viola for the violin because of their similarity in size, closeness in pitch range (the viola is a perfect fifth below the violin), and nearly identical playing position. However, the viola's timbre sets it apart: its rich, dark-toned sonority is more full-bodied than the violin's. The viola's mellow voice being frequently used for playing inner harmonies, it does not enjoy the wide solo repertoire or fame of the violin. The name of the instrument is properly pronounced /vɪˈoʊlə/ vee-OH-lə, but often pronounced /vaɪˈoʊlə/ vye-OH-lə, as the word "violet" is spoken. This may be considered incorrect although it follows the pronunciation of violin ( pronounced /vaɪˈoʊlin/ vye-OH-lin ), and the female name Viola, a variant of Violet, can properly be pronounced both ways. Not to be confused with voila.
The viola is similar in material and...
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