The viola is slightly larger than the violin. As with the violin, sound is produced by drawing the bow on one of the four strings or by plucking the string with a finger. All orchestral stringed instruments produce sound in the same way. The main differences are in the size of the instruments and the pitch or level of sound of each instrument. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay A little maintenance and cleaning of violas is important. It is important to clean the instrument with a soft cloth and change the strings from time to time. The most time-consuming activity, other than playing the instrument, is tuning. The viola should be tuned daily or every time it is taken out of the case. At the beginning, teachers tune the stringed instruments for each student. Eventually, students will learn to tune their own instrument. The viola consists of only two parts, the instrument and the bow. The bow uses horsehair or a synthetic material to vibrate the strings when pulled across the strings. The bow should be tightened to the correct tension before use and loosened before storage. The viola is played with the instrument under the chin on the left side. A shoulder rest is used under the viola and above the left shoulder. Teachers can encourage the use of a simple foam pad or one that attaches to the bottom of the viola. The right hand holds the bow from below (the bottom of the bow is called the "frog") and draws the bow across the strings. The correct position of both hands as well as the posture and position of the arms are essential in the beginning. Beginners should not practice intensively without guidance from a teacher. Developing bad habits early on can be very difficult to break. The viola is a very old instrument. It has remained fundamentally unchanged for hundreds of years. The viola looks and sounds a lot like a violin. The difference is in size and pitch. Both instruments have four strings. The highest violin string is the “E” string. If you were to remove this highest string and add a new lowest string or "C" string, you would get a viola. A unique feature of student violas is the enormous variation in sizes. Buyers have the choice of a 15, 14, 13 or 12 inch viola. The correct size for each student depends on the student's arm length and overall height. Generally speaking, when students reach 6th or 7th grade, most will need a full-size or 15-inch viola. Before this age, students must be measured by a music teacher to determine the correct instrument. The viola is not as popular as the violin. Because there are fewer violists, orchestra teachers view a good violist as a very valuable asset to the group. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Violas are seen in the symphony orchestra and occasionally in popular group string sections. In experienced hands, the viola can perform beautiful solo melodies as well as the more typical harmony parts of the violin. There are many choices when it comes to purchasing a viola. Giardinelli sells some good models to get started. If a full-size viola is needed, the “Strunal” 3/90 FH model viola set is a beginner instrument. Next up in all sizes is the Schiller 501 viola outfit. Buying a used viola can be a good option if purchased with caution. Older violas or those that have not been well..