How has the viola changed over time?

Answer 1

There have been many. Originally, the violin design was an improvement upon a viola de gamba family. From there, it's shape has been significantly refined.

Aside from technological improvements in strings, mass production, etc., there are many other improvements.


Using a standard of a baroque violin (the really old-school style), I'll list the major updates.


The two most notable structural changes have been the sound-post and the bass bar.

The sound-post (also known as the soul-post) is a small wooden post that is placed inside the violin, somewhat tightly between the front and back. The theory is that it helps both "plates" resonate together, with a focus on the higher frequencies.


The bass bar is tacked to the inside of the top of the violin, running about half the length and about as wide as a pencil. The bass bar brings out the lower frequencies.


External updates from a baroque violin to a modern one include the chin rest, and the shoulder rest.


The chin rest is firmly clamped to the bottom edge of the violin, allowing the player to either rest their chin, or use their chin to hold the violin between the chin and shoulder, which allows for greater freedom of the left hand, which no longer needs to support the violin.


The shoulder rest is a completely external system, used in conjunction with the chin rest. Some players will opt to not use a shoulder rest at all, some will use a very small pillow, or a cloth, or a combination. Generally, though, a shoulder rest lifts the violin and allows it to fully project sound, where a pillow, cloth, or no shoulder rest may result in a more muted sound (albeit unintentionally).


More recently, fine tuners have been added to the tailpiece for a greater degree of control in tuning.


There are also very modern changes, including electric pickups for a traditional violin (for electric amplification), and completely electric violins, some with pretty wild shapes, and some versions have more strings, allowing for a complete range of cello, viola, and violin on a single instrument.

Answer 2

As far as I am aware, the violin has not changed much structually over time. Aside from being made in different woods and getting smaller. The strings and bow strings have been altered somewhat too.:)

Answer 3

One significant change was the addition of the chinrest. In the early era of music (e.g. baroque era), the violin was placed somewhat below the collarbone. Gradually, as violin technique changed, the chinrest was added so the violinist could hold the violin between his chin and shoulder.

Other changes include the shape of the f-holes in the violin, the shape of the body of the violin, and the curvature of the violin bow.

Answer 4

Just to name a few changes:

• The tuning has changed from A = 415Hz to A = 440Hz
• The bow has become inwardly curved and is heavier
• The chinrest and shoulder rest have been invented (in the 19th Century)
• They have become larger.

Answer 5

It has been changed over time because the viola is used in different ways, and it

Answer 6

The violins SHAPE has not changed much over time, but it has altered in size, by becoming smaller.

Answer 7

yes originally it was played like a cello and the bow was curved while held differently.