Meet the Viola | Omaha Symphony Virtual Instruments

What makes the viola unique, and why might you choose to play it instead of the violin or the cello? The viola is a string instrument, similar to the violin but slightly larger, about 3 inches taller than the violin, although there is no standard size for the viola. Like the violin, the viola has four strings and is played with a bow.

Omaha Symphony’s Associate Principal Tyler Sieh describes the viola, its similarities to and differences from the violin (and other stringed instruments), and explains the voice and clef for the instrument.