Does Viola Size Matter?

Violas come in all shapes and sizes, usually between 15.5" and 17.5". It is often said that larger size corresponds to larger, deeper, sound. I put that theory to the test in this video by playing the same pieces on 4 different instruments:
15.5" Mittenwald
16" Tartini Model
16.25" Bodor
16.63" Moennig
Each piece I played had a specific purpose.
Bach C major Prelude: Shows basic range and clarity
Walton Viola Concerto: Shows higher register
Hindemith Sonata 11.4: Shows lower register
Bach G major Sarabande: Shows depth of sound in chords
My personal favorite is by far the 16.63" Moennig, but of course I am biased since it is my primary instrument! About 2 years ago I chose it over a 17.07" Wrona because I preferred its range of color, even though the larger instrument had an incredible sound. So does viola size matter? It's up to your personal preference of course. Let me know what you think in the comments!

[@norbzt]

Bach C Major Prelude 0:00 - 15.5" Mittenwald 0:24 - 16" Tartini 0:47 - 16.25" Bodor 1:08 - 16.63" Moennig Walton Viola Concerto 1:32 - 15.5" Mittenwald 1:58 - 16" Tartini 2:24 - 16.25" Bodor 2:51 - 16.63" Moennig Hindesmith Sonata 11.4 3:19 - 15.5" Mittenwald 3:38 - 16" Tartini 3:47 - 16.25" Bodor 4:16 - 16.63" Moennig Bach G Major Sarabande 4:34 - 15.5" Mittenwald 4:52 - 16" Tartini 5:10 - 16.25" Bodor 5:28 - 16.63" Moennig 5:48 - Violas displayed side by side

[@bishalghimirey2993]

At 174cm in height, I find my 16" viola to be the ideal size, allowing me to perform double stops and use my fourth finger with ease on the C string. Any instrument larger than this would pose some challenges. Furthermore, it's not solely about the instrument's size, but rather how one can skillfully utilize it to extract the finest tones, in my humble opinion.

[@cesca6829]

Have a 16.5" and am a 5'9" adult learner. But it's also very wide 10.55" (268mm), which is too wide for a standard viola shoulder rest. It sounds the best for my budget though. I'm sure the width as well as the length helps. Thought all the violas in the video sounded great.

[@emily_toots]

*cries in 5'5" + small fingers*

[@elizabethvalcez3417]

I am 5'0" and I have relatively small fingers but somehow I am able to play a 16" viola (actually in tune) so there is hope!!!

[@rejoycelunceford6209]

I am getting back to playing. 25 years off the viola, symphony level player. I'm not as agile as I was and today my prof told me my instrument is too big. It was my wedding gift 28 years ago. I'm super sad. It's 15.5, beautiful warm projecting tone. I picked up a 15" at a pawn shop, still too big, sound is "ok". I love the deeper, warmer, tones out of the larger violas, there is such a difference in the 16"+.

[@christianemichelberger8245]

Very interesting. I like the smallest and the largest one best. The small one has a really nice resonance for its size.

[@saharhb777]

That's strange but the smallest one has an amazing dark sound compared to larger ones! The large ones sounds just all over the place, loud and light , not deep and sustained.

[@andrewstump6138]

This is such a cool comparison! As well as comparing sizes, it's so fun to see how you as the player are reacting to each viola as you play them. It's abundantly clear that the Moennig is your own primary instrument, as you look and sound so at ease on it. I was very pleasantly surprised though by how great the Mittenwald sounded, considering how small it is, it's a nice little viola. But what was so interesting also, was noticing the drastic difference of that Tartini model vs. the other three, it's like night and day. It literally sounded like a cardboard box, and I could tell you didn't like it either just by how you played. I think it's so cool and so fascinating how a good sounding instrument will have such a strong effect and inspire you to be more musical. I love that. Always awesome stuff, James! Keep it up!

[@lovermuzak]

I liked the last two violas the best out of the four. They seemed more resonant and allowed you to do more with the musical excerpts.

[@Casutama]

Thank you for providing more insight in the description box!

[@spicytubaroll]

The two biggest ones have a really deep, resonant, and full sound that I really expect from a viola. However, with the last piece, the two smaller violas sounded the best on that piece, the sound they produced just seemed to fit the time period of that piece the best and made it feel a little more, authentic to me. Don’t know if that really makes sense lol.

[@rickotley]

Very enlightening. Thank you for taking the time etc. (Beautifully played too)

[@jakewatson668]

I am just under 6' and have a 15.5, which sounds really good to me. I have tried larger ones and they are too uncomfortable for me

[@emjeezmusic7603]

The smallest sounds sweetest while the biggest is much more velvety and richer.

[@Edcounsellor]

I love the 15 inch the best, it sounds so deep and haunting!

[@arun.kahaduwaarachchi]

15.5 one and the last the biggest one sounded great 👍 👌

[@SarumChoirmaster]

I like your video except size alone does not matter. All those violas would need the same cut and weight of bridge and sound post, same placement of bridge and post, same strings and most importantly the same thickness of plates front and back. All those added things rhen would make this vid a true comparison. Nevertheless, I appreciate your efforts! According to the science of acoustics and Carleen Hutchins, a proportionally accurate viola (violin to viola) would have to be a Wagnerian viola somewhere between 19 to 21 inches.

[@astridposey]

I'm short. My max size is 15.5" 😅 which just means I have to embrace it.

[@gabrielhenschen9665]

Mine is 15.55 in and though I could play a larger one, I really like the one I have.

[@icebox544]

I am 5’7 which is quite tall, but my fingers, especially my pinky finger, are very short so my primary instrument is only 15.5’’. I personally think my instrument has a surprisingly deep and rich tone for its size, but I do know that I gave up some tonality for ease of playing.

[@damianana]

Only a beginning violist (about 1.5 years now) but I think the Mittenwald is my personal favorite. It has a certain personality to it the others just don't really match. I like the color of its tone quite a lot. I'm also a sucker for darker wooden instruments in general, so that probably helps, hah.

[@huyen..nguyen6691]

I’m 5’2 playing 16 in. I gotta say it’s difficult to reach the high 3s but I manage lol

[@nawafamjadr]

im 5'4" and i play on a 16" viola i think it just suits me

[@jamesbell6203]

I think the 15.5 Mittenwald has a lot of character and a clear sound, it looks very fun to play. The Bodor and Moenning each have the broader, darker tone qualities. Can it be assumed the string length on all four was the same or very close?

[@deadmanswife3625]

Mine is 16.5 in

[@pauljmeyer1]

There was a definite improvement above 16" by both the Bodor and Moennig instruments.

[@johnalexander301]

Do you have difficulty with intonation when playing on different size violas? Can playing on multiple instruments become detrimental to learning the viola? Or is there a benefit?

[@johnhudelson2652]

I believe the length of ones arms is the parameter that counts rather than the height. I am 174 cm (5' 8 1/2) tall and a 406 mm (16 inch) viola suits me just fine.

[@umiviolalefut1593]

I am 5'2" I have a 15.5 for hard to reach days And a 16.5 for good days

[@ViolaKing]

5’2” playing a 16.5”? That’s incredible! Do you change your fingerings depending on which size you’re playing?

[@umiviolalefut1593]

My fingers have learned where they go based on the overall feel of the instrument... not that I'm 1st chair or soloist material. 😅 I'm happy in a section. I am an aspiring luthier... so I tinker... just simple playing.

[@paulieboy6644]

I’m an adult learner and I play a 16.5 inch one because I’m 6’3”

[@Cloxxki]

I'm a bit taller with hugely long arms, over 4" ape factor. Would I be more suited to start on a large one, or simply be more able to manage the size versus a small person?

[@paulieboy6644]

@@Cloxxki I would recommend 16.5 inch as that seems to be as large as most viola makes and models go in my research. I think Scott Cao makes a 17 incher and I do know they go even larger than that but it’s rare and probably costly. That being said, I’m renting to own from the store I’m taking lessons, which has been working well for me. A viola is a huge purchase if you don’t know whether the habit will stick! 16.5 was as large as they offered and it took a couple of days for them to get that size from their warehouse. Worth it! Remember: there are tall people who play the violin which is smaller than the viola, do you don’t absolutely have to get the largest viola.

[@ViolaKing]

I have an uncle who is 6’3” with sausage fingers who is a very successful violinist, although he started from a young age. Probably anything from 16”-17” is a good lace to start for a tall person, and you can always decide to try other sizes. Anything smaller might make your arm or fingers feel scrunched, especially past 3rd position

[@magmarok8209]

I have two viola’s right now. A 15.5 four string tuned C-A and a 16.5” five string viola tuned F-A my five string sounds better in the lows but the highs my four string is my go to. They are comparable in the mid range but I like the four strings mids a bit more.

[@yurybatsyuro8293]

Mine is 16", but I'd like a 16.5" one. Unfortunately left-handed silent violas are produced only by Yinfente, so no choice.

[@Edcounsellor]

Hey there fellow left handed player. Have you considered having a viola costume made by a good luthier? I know it can be a bit of an investment but having a couple costumes luthier instruments of my own... I can tell you it is totally worth it.

[@carolinehowell5203]

@@Edcounsellor what is a viola costume?

[@Edcounsellor]

@@carolinehowell5203 whoops! so sorry, that is a typo. I meant to say custom.

[@artemi-music]

Thanks a lot for you comparison 🙏

[@gogotrololo]

I came into this thinking i was going to like the biggest one, but i ended up liking the smallest one best! even against bias, it sounds the best to me. Of course, the largest one sounds really good, and the second largest has a very interesting character. The second smallest sounds like it may have been a student grade or something, it just wasn't doing it for me like the others.

[@srinitaaigaura]

Did no one ever think of sitting on a chair, placing the scroll on a cushion mounted on a stand and play the bigger ones?

[@GiaGDixon]

Of course size matters! 😉

[@cerebrummaximus3762]

New to this channel. Couldn't but not notice the frame in the background. Dvořák's American?

[@Dansback21]

where do I find the sheet music for those "test" scales that you use?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

How about a Vertical Viola?

[@clefthis]

16.63”

[@VCMD]

5’6 but i play a 16.5, because it just sounded much better. At least in my budget range. I also heard that 16.5 is the minimum requirement for a good orchestra?

[@ViolaKing]

I have never heard of that size requirement, although you need a high quality instrument to win an audition. Size could help with that, although it’s possible to win an audition with a smaller viola that still has a nice tone

[@chrismengos8379]

​@@ViolaKing do you think that bigger violas would be preferable in an orchestra audition than a smaller one like the 15.5? Thanks

[@thomassicard3733]

I hear that's what she said.

[@karshbandicoot5037]

I'd be interested in hearing a 20 incher, or at least a 17.5 or 18. The main issue is with me is volume on the lower register, so wondering if having a big whopper might help. Using thicc gut strings might too.

[@aaliyahSharpe]

i have the viola i think the one i have is at 0:50

[@vegaskelvin6632]

La viola 15.5 se ve muy cómoda

[@oddfellow8366]

Yup... 16.5 is what I'm getting.

[@gasisthepastendoil]

will it djent?

[@vladrian91]

❤

[@jackplaysviola6428]

Hey I’m not sure if you are aware or not, but while you are playing I see that you are breathing in a lot of air but not releasing as much. I had a problem of actually getting light headed sometimes because I would breathe in so much!! 😅

[@ViolaKing]

Intriguing observation. I’ve noticed this in my recordings once in a while. I’ve never felt lightheaded when playing, but I do think working on breathing evenly could help my playing. Do you have any exercises that work for you?

[@elissahunt]

@@ViolaKing I'm a wind player, so my advice might be off, but you might try breathing with the phrasing like we have to do. Deep breath in at the start of the phrase and gradual breathing out as you play through it. Breathe with your diaphragm, not your chest. It's something you can try, anyway.

[@jackplaysviola6428]

@@ViolaKing Similar to Elissa Hunt, I also breathe with the phrase, but instead of breathing in at the beginning of the phrase I actually breathe in then out then play. I don’t have any exercises that I can suggest, but I would be interested in finding any so let me know if you have any success! Food for thought, breathing evenly throughout helps keep the heart calm which helps blood flow to the muscles which in turn leads to a flush of released tension. Some of my body pains have been resolved by simply fixing my breathing.

[@thomassicard3733]

Breathing is SO overrated, ESPECIALLY for wind instrument players, ... and/or for living mammals, etc...

[@achen5689]

The larger the body of the viola, the richer the dark tone; and themore pronounced the volume.

[@achen5689]

That's what I got out of this video's demonstration. ^^^

[@brandonrobins1221]

I got tex rex arms so 😂

[@nellyd9280]

The first for me

[@IsaacParkViolin]

!

[@ninjalife8467]

Mitt smallie has `em all😅

[@robertoortiz2922]

Compared to the others Tartini sucks.

[@zec2006]

What shoulder rest are you using for the biggest viola?