Chapter 1
The physical secrets of the middle child
Chapter 2
The science of the smoky sound
Chapter 3
The unsung hero of the orchestra
Chapter 4
Solo superstars and global stages
YOUR GOAL
Master of The smoky soul of the viola
Ch 1 · The physical secrets of the middle child
maestro The Viola's Acoustic Design
Squeezed to fit right under your chin, that's how we get this deep, warm voice.
maestro Violists read music in a rare, specialized clef that keeps notes centered on the staff.
maestro The viola's lowest string adds a rich, dark dimension that violins cannot reach.
BETA
maestro Resize the viola's body to discover how its unique size creates its warm, deep sound.
Fun Fact
Stradivarius violas: Antonio Stradivari made only about ten violas in his lifetime, making them incredibly rare and far more expensive today than his famous violins.
Glossary
resonance (noun)
The reinforcement or prolongation of sound by reflection or by the synchronous vibration of a neighboring object. To achieve perfect acoustic resonance, a viola would need to be an unplayable 21 inches long.
The reinforcement or prolongation of sound by reflection or by the synchronous vibration of a neighboring object. To achieve perfect acoustic resonance, a viola would need to be an unplayable 21 inches long.
Quiz
If a viola were built to be acoustically perfect for its pitch, how large would it have to be?