Why Should I Learn Viola?

Question

The violin is the most well known string instrument in the orchestra. The viola is often seen as the awkward middle child, always there, but what does it contribute? As a professional violist, one of my passions is expanding awareness of the greatness of the viola, or as I call it, the "unsung hero."

Answer 1

The viola is the glue of the group that blends everything together. We have melodies, harmonies, and rhythmic accompaniments that really give us the best of every world! It's a much less common instrument than the violin for example, so you will always stand out more if you are an exceptional musician, and people will always want you to play for them. The viola is the most famous for its chocolatey timbre, which no other instrument can come close to imitating.

Answer 2

Adam's answer was very spot on. To add on to that, many people choose to play an instrument simply because they enjoy the sound and the repertoire. Many people enjoy the violin, that's good for them, but may not be the case for you! You may fall in love with the viola's unique, warm timbre. The viola repertoire also has some very beautiful pieces, like the Debussy trio for harp, flute, and viola.

You should play the instrument YOU want and YOU feel a connection to, not what other people like.

Answer 3

The viola is the middle voice of the string section. Although commonly overlooked, it is one of the most vital components of a strong orchestra. Without the viola section, the supporting middle voice is lost, leaving the upper voices without support. Playing the viola gives you a chance to pick up on every instruments role as the instrument's role requires you to be listening around you and balancing. If I did not play viola, I do not think that I would be so strong at playing and adjusting to other musicians around me.