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Honorary tenured advisor
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Since we don't have a functioning Violaman.com in which to share this, I thought I'd post this interesting performance here. I'd like to see Christen Lien and Zoe Keating do some sort of duet.
Talent and a few looping pedals make for a nice performance.
Beautifull, Keith
What is the playing length of viola string's and could you put them on a violin ?
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Fiddlestix said
Beautifull, KeithWhat is the playing length of viola string's and could you put them on a violin ?
you can put viola strings on a violin as violas come in a quite a few sizes, I believe what they call the 14 in viola is the same size as a 4/4 violin
There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart
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She's looks to be playing a full-size viola, which would be 2-3 inches longer than a full-size violin.
I suppose if you put viola strings on a violin, you'd be making the equivalent of a 14" viola. I really don't know what other physical differences there are between a 14" viola and a full-size violin are. Perhaps Pierre might know.
I do know that you shouldn't expect the same richness of sound from the smaller body of a violin that a viola can create for the lower notes, though.
EDIT: Barry beat me to the 14" viola info. 
13" playing length, I'm almost possitive. Honorary tenured advisor
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From: http://www.feinviolins.com/inf.....php?ID=115
Already have a violin, but don't don't what size it is? The following chart displays various violin measurements and their corresponding violin size.
| Viola Size Chart All measurement are given in inches (1 inch = 25.4 millimeters) |
|||
| Viola Sizes | Body Length | Total Length | Max. Width |
| 16.5" viola | 16.5" | 27" | 9" |
| 16" viola | 16" | 26.5" | 8.75" |
| 15.5" viola | 15.5" | 26" | 8.5" |
| 15" viola | 15" | 25" | 8" |
| 14" viola | (4/4 VI) | 23" | 7.5" |
| 13" viola | (3/4 VI) | 21.75" | 7" |
| 12" viola | (1/2 VI) | 20.5" | 6.75" |
Straight from D'Addario, website.
Zyex Violin String Set, 4/4 Scale, Medium Tension
Zyex synthetic core strings produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Zyex strings are made from a new generation of synthetic material, creating strings that are incredibly stable under drastic climatic conditions. Within a matter of hours, Zyex settles in on the instrument with a sound that is warmer than most other synthetic core strings. Zyex is also an excellent choice for use on bright sounding instruments.
Scaled to fit 4/4 size violin with a playing length of 13 inches (328mm), these medium tension strings will allow for greater projection and volume potential. The D string included with the DZ310A set is aluminum wound, and the D string included with the DZ310S set is silver wound. Packaging in uniquely-designed sealed pouches provides unparalleled protection from the elements that cause corrosion.
- 4/4 scale violin with a playing length of 13 inches (328mm)
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Ah... we are BOTH right - just about different things. I was focused on the SIZE of the instrument, and your original question was the playing length, which I presume is the length between nut and bridge.
Sorry about the confusion.
I gottcha,,, the total length of the body is 14", on both mine, Chinese and Cremora.
The height of the ribs on a viola is considerably greater than a violin giving the viola a larger volume and producing a more mellow tone.
Totally understandable.... there's more room for more air, for resonance.
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That was a really beautiful piece. I'm really really digging the sound of the viola.
But I'm a little ignorant...can any of you viola players tell me what music you play on it or can you just play a tune written for a violin or fiddle, as if you were playing the fiddle? Then the notes played would actually be lower. Or do you have to have tunes specifically for the viola and if so, are they difficult to come by?
Now I really want a viola. Man this is so addicting!
Thanks
Helvetika (Cindy)
@Helvetika I believe the Viola actualy uses an alto clef. Basically meaning that the lines and spaces on the staff represent different notes on a different area of the piano for comparison.
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I thought the strings were c, g, d, a. just 5 notes lower than violin. So wouldn't the D and the A be on the treble clef. I realize the notes would be different, I just thought that maybe you could still play a tune meant for the fiddle, and it would still sound ok, just lower, if you used the same finger placement as if you were playing the fiddle. if you know what I mean.
Thanks, Wookieman. 
Cindy
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On a viola on its C string one can play notes at lower pitches inaccessible to a violin, as the violin´s voice only starts at the G a "fifth" above the C string that is on the viola. Hence a viola can produce C C# D D# E F and F# which are all in a range beneath the lowest pitch of a violin.
Viola music is generally written using the alto clef, but in exceptional circumstances it uses the treble clef (temporarily) for high pitched passages. Otherwise music publishers would have to waste more paper and cut down more trees because of the extra blank space that would appear on music between the staves if viola music was regularly printed in the treble clef. (Not sure this is the real reason.)
I tried transfering the Jacky Tar score from treble clef for violin to alto clef for viola (take a blank piece of music manuscript paper and copy the violin score by moving every note in the treble clef version down by one unit). I do not regard the outcome as a success. I did it because I could not find the Jacky Tar in a viola version online (free).
You can mostly play violin music on a viola "as is". But if you do so, you will find there is no need for the viola to have the C string, as you would never use it if you confined yourself to violin scores. But on a viola you will not be able to play some of the double stops that violinists can play by bowing the violin´s A and E strings simultaneously.
Some violinists are suspected to be rather jealous of the viola´s C string. And the viola can produce double stops on the C and G strings, which a violin cannot.
You might also ponder whether cello music can be played on a viola ? Cello music uses the bass clef.
That was lovely. Great use of the looping machine on that. I'd say that's probably a skill in and of it self.
HeadCheese said
From: http://www.feinviolins.com/inf.....php?ID=115Already have a violin, but don't don't what size it is? The following chart displays various violin measurements and their corresponding violin size.
Viola Size Chart
All measurement are given in inches (1 inch = 25.4 millimeters)Viola Sizes Body Length Total Length Max. Width 16.5" viola 16.5" 27" 9" 16" viola 16" 26.5" 8.75" 15.5" viola 15.5" 26" 8.5" 15" viola 15" 25" 8" 14" viola (4/4 VI) 23" 7.5" 13" viola (3/4 VI) 21.75" 7" 12" viola (1/2 VI) 20.5" 6.75"
So theoretically, I could tune my violin down to viola standard tuning, and play 14" viola parts. Essentially, I could, if understanding the alto clef, play my own violin/viola duets without actually owning a viola. Very interesting....
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