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VIOLA

Section: Strings
Transposing? No

Construction
Range
Bowing
Plucking
Left Hand
Mute/Harmonics
Chords
Extended
Player's Tips and Tricks

Links

 

Construction

Mike Turner explains the construction of the viola:
and the differences between a viola and a violin:
He also discusses the character of the instrument:

There are normally four strings on a viola, tuned to C3, G3, D4, A4

Scroll = curved end of the viola
Peg = device for tuning strings (by altering their tension)
Peg box = the frame that holds the pegs
Nut = the ridge on the edge of the peg box that supports the strings
Neck = the extension from the body of the viola that supports the fingerboard
Fingerboard = the wooden surface against which the fingers are pressed
f-hole = openings in the body of the viola from which the sound emerges
Bridge = a shaped piece of thin wood supporting the strings and through which sound is transmitted to the body
Tailpiece = anchors the strings
Chin rest = shaped wooden rest
End pin = attaches tailpiece to body of instrument

Tip = the end point of the bow
Hairs = the stretched horsehair (or other material) which normally makes contact with the strings
Wood = flexible, and usually supports the hairs
Frog = the heel of the bow