The viola (/ viˈoʊlə / vee-OH-lə, [1] (ⓘ) Italian: [ˈvjɔːla, viˈɔːla]) is a string instrument of the violin family, and is usually bowed when played. Violas are slightly larger than violins, and have a lower sound.

Viola, stringed musical instrument, the tenor of the violin family. It is built in proportions similar to those of the violin but has a body length of 37 to 43 cm (14.5 to 17 inches), about 5 cm (2 inches) longer …

In the popular realm, bands including Velvet Underground, The Who, Van Morrison, The Goo Goo Dolls, and Vampire Weekend have featured the viola prominently on various songs and albums. The viola …

Known as the "big fiddle," the viola serves as the middle voice because of its mid-range in the stringed instrument family, between the upper lines played by the violin and the lower lines played by the cello …

ViolaOnline.com offers free viola sheet music and free online viola lessons and viola instruction for all ages.

Dec 16, 2025 · We are an organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting the viola and those who love it.

In this series you'll learn about violas, bows, strings, and many other related topics. The idea behind this series is to give you a good synopsis of what you need to know about the viola, from what to look for …

The viola section tends to be a little smaller than the violin section, but they play a very important role to the orchestra. The viola fills the role of the alto voice that fits beautifully between the violin and the …

The viola is a stringed instrument of the violin family, known for its rich, deep sound, which is lower than that of the violin but higher than the cello. Over the course of history, the viola evolved from …

Discover the characteristics, sound, and history of the viola, the older sibling of the violin. Learn more about the topic on Handmade Sound.