Can You Put Viola Strings on a Violin?

In this video, I explain the solutions that are available to you if you need a really small viola and some of the traps to avoid when buying a small viola.
Difference between a viola and a violin: • Difference Between Vio...
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[@edloki3057]

Okie you've convinced me. I'm switching to a viola. 2setviolin be damned.

[@natepultorakmusic928]

As a spiritual member of the viola gang, I salute the choice!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@natepultorakmusic928 A Hutchins Upright Viola isn't compromised plus playing it vertically relieves weight off your shoulders

[@Cxn1323]

you became the very thing you sought to destroy

[@user-uc9wy1sn3b]

I know and personally I love sound of Viola but to teach students I can put Viola strings in to Violin.

[@sheilaclarke3692]

Many thanks for your talk on viola C string being used on a violin. I have a German concert violin which is very loud. I think it will convert to a viola! As a violinist who loves passionate music, I get frustrated that I can only go as low as G. Thanks to you I am going to convert this violin to a viola. I will let you know how I get on. Many thanks! You are a brilliant guy! Sheilah .

[@KennedyViolins]

Let me know how it turns out!

[@rosemaryraplar8]

I'd like to do the same. How did it turn out?

[@boglarbalazs4382]

I'm going to do the same with mine. (It isn't a quality intrument though 😂)

[@margoils]

fyi, ii taught elementary string music for many years and i ''sold the viola sound'' to elem kids who ONLY KNEW OF THE VIOLIN, and i also pushed the cello, so when the kids went to ''rent'' a viiola and found either few or none, they music store tried to change the kids mind to rent a violin in stead, and they (BLESS THEIR HEARTS) insisted on renting a viola to play, and so they DID PUT VIOILA STRINGS ON A VIOILIN (0bvioiusly string size smaller so that the string tension was about the same, and i did this for many years, just so we didn't have VIIOLIN PLAYERS playing the viola part transcribed for violin because they REALLY WANTED THAT SOUND.... and it worked well, it meant that i didn't iend up with ALL VIIOLINS and no other instruments,

[@KennedyViolins]

Cool. There are many ways to create "converts" but it's always a great thing. 😉Go violas!

[@patriciajrs46]

Thank you so much. The C string acoustics are very intersting. The wider body is engagingly delightful. I like a deeper, richer tone. I don't really like the high-squeal of the violin E strings. Thank you so much for telling and teaching how to tell the difference between a violin and a viola.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

5 String Violins often have a slightly deeper body so that the E string doesn't sound too shrill

[@patriciajrs46]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 Okay. Thank you.

[@boglarbalazs4382]

Where have you found one?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Kennedy Violins Geared mechanisms designed for Violin make tuning it so much easier. Nowadays lots of people are choosing geared tuning machines for violin, this is because actual geared mechanisms for Violin, Viola, and Cello are much more affordable these days, and they produce a much more pleasant sound.

[@buibichphuong2131]

Thank you so much! This is so informative!

[@Cloxxki]

I just saw a video where a full size violin had viola octave strings and the low C seems to have been achieved!! As I'm a big guy and a total novice I might go for a viola body anyway, but awesome if indeed it can be done routinely

[@GeeGnebAb]

So informative, many thanks

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

6:52 the ribs on a Viola will usually be a bit thicker than on a Violin by at least 1/8 of an inch.

[@boglarbalazs4382]

Thank you so much! 😊 To be honest, when I asked the question in the title, I wanted a yes or no for an answer. Didn't feel like sacrificing 9 mins of my life to get one. Well, this video so worth every second!!! Along with the comment section. Very informative, pretty entertaining. (I love the way you play the instruments ❤) I'm glad I found it. 😊 Special thanks for the samples of sounds! Such a great help for me! I knew, if there was going to be even the slightest difference, I would be able to hear it, as I'm good at that. But the differences were huge! I personally don't like the sound of the wider viola at all; wouldn't go for the other viola if I had a choice ... I'm in love with the sound of that violin with those viola strings 💕 That's what I've been dreaming of 💖 You made my day 🙂 ps: What is the passage, you're playing?

[@KennedyViolins]

Thanks for the nice remarks and I'm glad the video was helpful. Regarding the "music" I was playing, it wasn't an excerpt from any music. It was just scale excerpts with a couple corresponding double stops. 😉

[@rlilac643]

Hey I see you watchin' twoset!

[@diegoserrato4016]

*if you can play it slowly, you can play it quickly*

[@diegoserrato4016]

#TwoSetGang

[@petromic1947]

Good info thanks. Can I put violin strings on a 15” viola and will it sound better do I need to change the bridge thanks

[@ggccdde3743]

I have an interesting question: What if I put violin strings on a 14 inches viola sounds like?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I have seen Viola Conversions & also a 20 in Alto Violin which is an Upright Viola

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

The 7/8 Size Violin is 13.5 inches, a good halfway point between a 3/4 size Violin & a 4/4 Size Violin. Those are common among musicians w/ smaller hands.

[@boglarbalazs4382]

Thank you! I was wondering if there was any option, like this.

[@KennedyViolins]

Hello Sherry, I'm not sure why guitar strings cannot be used but I do know that a very high level of acoustic engineering goes into developing violin strings. They are wound in a very specific way and very expensive materials are often used like tungsten, titanium silver or gold. Every year I find a new crop of strings have been invented by new companies and 98% of the time the strings are inferior to the strings that are produced by the 3 big string companies. Even the Chinese, who are very good at copying just about everything, have to date as far as I know, never been able to produce a decent quality violin string, despite many years of trying. So apparently, it's quite difficult to create a good violin string! 🤔

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/il7KYamCgLyZa8U actually you can use Guitar Strings on Violin like N719

[@ralphkruger9996]

This was an excellent explanation of the possible problems putting viola strings on a violin. But why do octave violin strings work okay on a violin?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

They've been formulated to work well

[@gabriellepeacock2709]

I tried to string a violin as a viola, but using it's own violin strings. But it didn't work :) I loved the sound you made on all the ones you just played, but there was a huge difference when it was the proper viola.

[@boglarbalazs4382]

You mean you just tuned your violin strings lower?

[@gabriellepeacock2709]

Yeah, it's ok I bought a viola two years ago:) @@boglarbalazs4382

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

There are 5/4 & 6/4 Size Violins

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

3:27 That C String can hit the Fingerboard as it vibrates if put on a violin

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

3:39 Very sour sounding low c, they make 5 string Violin C strings.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Funny thing Bowed instruments always come strung w/ Flatwound Strings

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

I have an Electric Violin. I was thinking of putting high tension Viola strings on it (to compensate the shorter scale length of the Violin) and make it sound like a Viola. I think the sound will be 'flabby' if I use medium or soft tension viola strings on a 14inch electric Violin. An Electric Violin does not rely on its body for tonal quality. The electronics and pickup are the ones that do; so the low C string will still sound big and round on it.What do you think?

[@KennedyViolins]

You probably have the right idea in regards to putting high tension strings on. That'll probably help quite a bit. Helicores are pretty high tension and might be a good option. However, your C string will probably still hit the fingerboard when you play more forcefully. If I were you, I'd install all violin strings, except for the C. This way you'll only have 1 "bad" string. Good luck!

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

@@KennedyViolins thx buddy....but I want to have VIOLA tone....so with High Tension or Short Scale Viola strings, I should sound closer to a Viola. I dont like Violin as much as Viola tone.

[@KennedyViolins]

@@empireentertainmentevents1353 As a violist myself, I can't blame you for having that sentiment! 🤪

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@KennedyViolins They make a 5 string Violin Low C String

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

3:39 Violin Low C 3:54 Viola Low C

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

You can hear the difference in tone more easily

[@gregmonks9708]

The "chin cello" strings you buy for violin and viola are just short cello strings for short-scale cellos. I was using 1/10 cello strings on my violas many years before "octave strings" were "invented".

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

3:42 I don't know if the camera can pick it up

[@colinwrubleski7627]

Would you be able to comment on the slightly unorthodox case of high-class professionals who use a single viola string for a certain effect on their uber-valuable Strads, "del Gesu" Guarneris, etc.-? The clearest example is that of violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, who apparently uses a viola A-string (Savarez / Corelli-?) in place of a more conventional violin-specific string. What does she achieve by so doing, and are there any risks of premature wear or breakage with a string that is too long for the instrument body length? Any info or commentary you can offer would be appreciated. Thanks...

[@KennedyViolins]

I do not have personal knowledge of players such as Mutter using a viola A on their violins because I have not spoken to them directly. However, my guess is that anybody who does this, is probably working with the theory that the sound may be warmer because of the thicker string, and because of the increased tension, it may make it easier to play really strong fortes without some of the mechanical issues that may come along with a string that is of lesser tension (hitting the fingerboard, sound giving out, etc). I would imagine that the compromise may be less projection, responsiveness, and a slightly different feel under the fingertip, but it's all just conjecture. It'd be interesting to play around with this idea!

[@boglarbalazs4382]

If you ever get round to experimenting with that, I'd like to hear the difference it would make, just like in this video! Thank you :)

[@lonniepaulson7031]

I play both violin and viols. A number of years ago before I got my viola a friend purchased what he called a child's violin. He had just gotten it repaired because the back had a hole in it. He showed to me in the case. The first thing I noticed was two viola bows in the case. I measured his instrument with mine and it was 14 inches the same size as my full size violin. I tuned it and started playing it. The strings looked like violin strings. I noticed the sound was different, it did not sound like a violin. The sound seemed muffled. Could this be a violin with viola bows or could it be a 14 inch viols with violin strings? What happens when you put violin strings on a 14 inch viola?

[@boglarbalazs4382]

I'd like to hear the difference!

[@irlandesarette9776]

Than Kshatriyas

[@neopagan1976]

I definitely have a few questions for you, but they pertain to holding a violin bow. My questions are these. What's your position on the use of a PinkyHold for Violin and Viola - Rose Pink - Bowing Aid? Does this device actually help with developing muscle memory when it comes to holding a full size violin bow correctly? Is this device actually worth the money? Would using this device be a good habit for an adult beginner to get into? I'm an adult beginner who's having a lot of trouble with getting my fingers and thumb to relax. Every time I try to hold my violin bow correctly using the franco-Belgian method, My fingers and thumb seem to cramp up. I've tried the Russian method, but the cramping seems to get worse with that particular bow hold. I thought that the bowing aid might help with that. Would this bowing aid be a good investment or would it be just a complete waist of money?

[@KennedyViolins]

I'm aware of the device and I know that a fair amount of teachers use it. I don't know how successful it is because I never needed to use it. I developed a way of teaching the bow hold that worked without any other products. However, I'd say as a general rule, if it works, then use it. You can try it. If it works, then great. If not, it's not a huge investment of money, so why not? The most important thing is that you are aware of the issue/challenge and that's half the battle.

[@neopagan1976]

@@KennedyViolins Thank you so very much for getting back to me, Sir. If there are teachers currently using it, then it must be a pretty good product. I'm going to go ahead and get the device and see if it works for my particular problem. Thanks again.

[@lindapoling3987]

Do I need to change the bridge of the violin that I put viola strings on?

[@ApplepieFTW]

Short answer: yes. Long answer: contact your luthier and ask him. He will give you the short answer: yes.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

4:07 Ok so that's 2 points, one will be the sound and the other is physically the string needs more room to move around.

[@WorshipGuitarist4life17]

0:01 exactly what I'm wondering. I want to play I'm cgda. But I don't know if anyone makes a c string for violin

[@KennedyViolins]

As far as I know, there is no such thing as a "violin C string" but if you want to go that route, I'd advise getting the thinnest C string you can. You'd want it to be the tightest tension possible, so that means it should be a steel core, not a synthetic core. The most obvious option would probably be the thinnest Helicore C string you can get. 👍

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

5:08 Passage name?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

3:11 So this Thicker string needs more room to move.

[@patriciajrs46]

Where is your store located?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

That video (please turn the comments back on & turn off the made for kids action):kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmW1ZJ-Yl8aFqbc that explains why Violins don't have machine head tuners like a Guitar does is now "Outdated". The interest of using machine head tuners on a Violin, Viola, or Cello has actually gone back up for 3 new reasons 1) they're much lighter weight than they were years ago, 2) they're much more affordable these days, & 3) the different look isn't considered "different from the traditional design" anymore, it's now an "ergonomic" variation of the traditional design meaning that more ideas are being thrown back in. So if you were a maker making your living building instruments w/ "ergonomic" variations of the traditional design the audience actually would love those instruments due to how much more fun they are to play.

[@KennedyViolins]

Yes, "times, they are a changin..."

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@KennedyViolins I replaced the friction pegs on my 5 String Cello w/ Machine Heads:kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHeqaH6eo61oiqs & what's really cool about them is that in playing position the knobs will point over your shoulder.

[@richardallen6552]

What does a viola sound like if it’s strung up like a violin with G, D, A, E?

[@KennedyViolins]

The E will suffer. It will probably not be as "brilliant" or project as well as it would on a violin.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@KennedyViolins A 5 string Viola might work better

[@crochetqueen6440]

So I'm sure elsewhere in the comment section will have already asked what occurs to me... What about then, putting violin strings on a viola? will the strings be long enough?

[@KennedyViolins]

Generally speaking, violin strings will not be long enough to fit most violas.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

3:29 Bartok Pizz

[@prakashgupta8191]

Can we use guitar strings on violin

[@gutbucket260]

Tension might be to much for the top.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@gutbucket260 They might have to be special made to work

[@vegan.violist]

Curious, what would happen if you put a viola's G, D, and A strings on a violin and use a violin's E string?

[@KennedyViolins]

It would sound quite dull and the action would be very loose. The Viola strings are thicker gauge and they would not "sing" and would sound muted.

[@vegan.violist]

Thin gauge?

[@KennedyViolins]

@@vegan.violist Gauge refers to the diameter of the string. Violins have thinner gauge strings than violas. 😉

[@vegan.violist]

@@KennedyViolins I meant, would thinner-gauge viola strings be comparable to medium-gauge or even thicker-gauge violin strings?

[@KennedyViolins]

@@vegan.violist I suppose it's possible that the thickest gauge violin string could be comparable to the thinnest gauge violin string but it'd really come down to the manufacture and style of the string. Every manufacturer uses different specifications and it really matters what material the string is wound in, the style of winding on the core and if the string is even a wound string at all. Perhaps the best luck would be if the viola strings were exactly the same manufacturer and type (prelude to prelude, Helicore to Helicore for example). If this exact match occurred it may be possible to replicate one string for another but those are details that I'm not privy to for sure. The manufacturer may keep it a secret. Hard to say. Interesting question though. 😃

[@michaelblaney4461]

You know you could also join the 21st century and put truss rods in a violin neck to set neck relief . ( as well as geared pegs 😮)

[@KennedyViolins]

Unfortunately, it's been tried many times over the years. It makes the violin too heavy and kills the sound.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

3:42 I don't know if the camera can pick it up

[@ggccdde3743]

I have an interesting question: What if I put violin strings on a 14 inches viola sounds like?

[@KennedyViolins]

Probably mostly just smaller sound but there's only one way to find out!

[@ggccdde3743]

@@KennedyViolins would you like to try it on camera and show us? 😃😃😃

[@KennedyViolins]

@@ggccdde3743 Well, that's an interesting idea. Perhaps when I get my mic situation figured out, I'll do a vid like that. I'm not very happy with the sound right now. 🤪

[@ggccdde3743]

@@KennedyViolins I will certainly enjoy your vid. 😄