Funny, I was thinking the same thing about her and the cello.

Interesting way that bow is held. Would not want to pop for a set of strings for that.

@Leaviathan The cello bow is much shorter than a viola or violin bow. You may find the cello bow a little short to play the viola with. I also recall reading someplace or hearing on a viola instructional video, that a cello bow on a viola requires open string playing only, can’t remember why that article or video said that. Another place said the placement of the cello bow on a viola in relation to the bridge is important because in the wrong place the viola will sound like a “cat in pain”. Not sure where I heard or read that either, it has been a year sine hearing or reading these comments.

Can’t hurt to try, but as you get further along and have not learned to play the viola with a viola bow, you may have to relearn the viola bowing if you find out the cello bow really does not work. Viola bowing is a different feel from bowing a violin, a little more “work” is involved to bring release the sound. I am not saying force or weight, just a little more involved?

I used to use my viola bow on my violin when I started. It weighed a tad more than my violin bow. I could control the viola bow easier. The lighter weight was an issue because I was used to the weight of my cello bow, which I did first. I was told many violinists use a viola bow. I have since acquired a little heavier a violin bow and now use the violin bow on my violin. That said, they are very similar, but the viola and cello bows are quite different.

I would caution using a cello bow on a viola while learning to play viola because of the significant difference in length and width of the cello bow vs viola bow. To my thinking, it will create issues bowing the viola properly and create bad bowing habits that will cause issues when you need to go to a viola bow. 

There may be professionals using cello bow on a viola, I don’t know, but that would most likely have been after they learned the proper way. The differences between a cello and viola bow is far greater than the differences between the viola and violin bow. 

Just something to consider. Also, the cello bow hold is different than a viola or violin bow hold and that a may affect the quality of bowing a viola with a cello bow.