Difference between viola and violin

Answer 1

The most noticeable difference between the two is that the violin is slightly smaller. The result is that the violin is higher pitched. The bow, I believe, is also smaller and the frog (the part that you hold) is squared-shaped on the violin bow. On a viola bow it is more rounded. Though size is the most noticeable difference the most important is the strings. A violin (lowest to highest string) is strung like this: G D A E A viola (lowest to highest string) is strung like this C G D A. A violin does not have a C string and a typical viola doesn't have an E string. (You can get some five string violas, but they are rare) Another major difference is that a violin is played using the G cleff, a viola however is played using the little known and little used C cleff. I have played the viola for five years and I work with a bunch of violinists (as well as cellists and [double] bassists and in fact other violists) in a string orchestra. Another note: in a typical string orchestra you have two sections of violins (The first violins and the second violins) and one section of violas.