Vienna Symphonic Library Viola Ensemble KONTAKT

It is constructed using the same components as the violin, the only difference being the larger size. Its stately and dark timbre contrasts sharply with that of the violin and makes the viola perfectly suited as the violin family’s middle voice.
Its bow is a little heavier than the violin bow and the horsehair a little broader.
The characteristic sound of the viola is a result of the following factors:
The viola is tuned to a fifth lower than the violin (C3 = 4th string, G3 = 3rd string, D4 = 2nd string, A4 = 1st string). This means that the frequencies of the two instruments are in a ratio of 2:3. If this ratio were applied to the actual size of the instruments the viola’s body would have to be 12 cm longer (i.e. around 54 cm) than it actually is (around 42 cm).

In other words, the viola is too small in proportion to its tuning and this is the reason for its distinctive timbre. The ratio of the natural resonance of the body to the tuning is different on the two instruments: on the violin the natural resonance is about six half notes above the lowest note, on the viola eleven half notes.

20th century composers helped the viola to escape from the shadow of the brighter-sounding violin by writing solo works for it.

Classification
Chordophone, necked lute, stringed instrument

Head
Scroll, pegbox, 4 side-mounted pegs

Neck
Top nut, fretless fingerboard

Body
Length: approx. 39–42 cm, box form. Belly with F-shaped sound holes, back, ribs.

Strings
Length of the vibrating strings: approx. 37–38.9 cm, 4 strings, tuned to intervals of a fifth: C3, G3, D4, A4. Material: gut, silver or aluminum-wound, often steel.

Bow
Length: 74 cm; rod, point, adjustable frog

Mute
Comb-shaped device made of metal or maple which damps the vibration of the bridge.

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