10 Facts About Viola

Viola is a string instrument that is bowed, plucked, or played with varying techniques.

Viola was popular in the heyday of five-part harmony, up until the eighteenth century, taking three lines of the harmony and occasionally playing the melody line.

Viola often plays the "inner voices" in string quartets and symphonic writing, and it is more likely than the first violin to play accompaniment parts.

Viola is similar in material and construction to the violin.

Viola probably intended to give the viola a brighter tone so the rest of the ensemble wouldn't overpower it.

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Viola music employs the treble clef when there are substantial sections of music written in a higher register.

Indeed, Viola I has a solo in the last movement which is commonly found in orchestral auditions.

Viola occasionally has a major role in orchestral music, a prominent example being Richard Strauss' tone poem Don Quixote for solo cello and viola and orchestra.

Viola is sometimes used in contemporary popular music, mostly in the avant-garde.

Viola is an important accompaniment instrument in Slovakian, Hungarian and Romanian folk string band music, especially in Transylvania.