How to Size an Adult for a Viola

Thinking about switching from violin to viola?! 🎻 In this video Doug explains how to choose the right size viola and demonstrates how we size an adult player for a viola in the store.
Sizing an adult for a viola can be somewhat subject and particularly tricky if you don't have a few different sizes in front of you to see how they feel.
This is why it is always best to go into a store to be sized, and to seek advice from your viola teacher before coming in.
In the video we give two examples of players of different heights, however you also have to consider a player's neck length, arm length, hand size and overall build.
The world needs more violists! So, if you're thinking about starting, please email us at [e-mail] to setup a time to come in to be sized.
The Sydney String Centre
314 High St.
Chatswood
NSW 2067
www.violins.com.au

[@TragoudistrosMPH]

Exceedingly useful! Visual demonstrations, measurements of the models used. I could hardly ask for more, Thank you!

[@rw218]

James has the same measurements as I do, so this was especially useful.

[@reigenlucilfer6154]

great video, very informative

[@angel-hg4wz]

Thank you

[@angamus1]

Fantastic video - great examples with sizing, with reasons explained well.

[@sydneystringcentre]

Thanks for the comment! Glad it was helpful

[@magmarok8209]

I’m 171 cm and I play a 16.5 five string low F viola or a 15.5 four string viola. I find for the low F to get it to sound good I need a larger viola. I would have gone 17 if I could comfortably play a 17

[@johnw6610]

Thank you!

[@sydneystringcentre]

John W you’re very welcome!

[@gybx4094]

I have a viola that has the exact fingerboard of a violin, but a thicker body. It's just a fat bass violin. So, my finger spacing is the same as my 4/4 violin. It's nice to switch between viola and violin with the same fingering.

[@empireentertainmentevents1353]

yes but with such a small Viola body, there will be a lot lesser resonance especially when you play the C and G strings. That's why Big Violas sound so amazing and full compared to small violas.

[@parismilane51]

Hey. That’s not always true. I use a smaller 18th century, French viola (15”) and it sounds amazing! Prior to that, I used a modern Italian 16” viola and ended up with a serious injury. It’s not the size of the viola that is important- it’s the sound coming from it.

[@user-do5hd7zb4x]

🎉dear heather what do you think about J.J. Augeneaue bows of France? Im getting skating issues from most of my bows ive tryed rubbing alcohol seems to help but i remember i once used acetone and realy got the strimgs chirpy! Do you think acetone superior to methanol or do you even have an opinipn on bow hair cleaners? And in reply to your question about where your friends should start in searching for new violin or viola , I have for several years wondered about Gliga violins. I have not run accross any in my area but the woods reputed to be be used to build Gligas is supposedly from Carpathian mountains around Transylvania and Rumania.

[@loveloreal]

I have a viola that is 15inch, but I think my arms are too long for it. I bought it from a friend for a really good deal. I am a beginner, so I'm thinking of starting on it to see if I get into it enough to earn myself a correct size... I'm am still wondering if I should just get the correct size now. I'm thinking 16 or 16.5 is going to be better. My arm length to mid palm is 28inch/71cm

[@sydneystringcentre]

Hi there :-) yes it sounds like a 15" might be too small. In terms of arm length you probably could manage a 16" or 16.5", however it also depends on your hand size, neck height and overall stature. My brother's arm length is 73cm however he finds 16" and 16.5" too cumbersome and heavy so he plays 15.5". I would recommend renting a 16" to see how it feels before you decide to purchase anything 🙂 it's much easier to learn on something that is too big than too small. Good luck!

[@karlin7747]

hi my armlenght from my neck to my index finger was 75 cm what size am i?

[@kyanhall]

Don’t quote me on this, but I’m pretty sure that’s a 16.5 viola. There should be size charts if you google it

[@Smoke---]

My arm is 33.5 inches long (85 cm), so I think I might go for either a 17” or a 17.5”. I’m only 14 why am I upgrading from 16.5”? 😭😂

[@sydneystringcentre]

We’ve got some small cellos that might do the job?! 😂😂😂 17 and 17.5 are hard to find! Are you an advanced player? If not I’d say stick to 16.5” 😎

[@Smoke---]

@@sydneystringcentre yeah this is my sixth year playing and I just made it into the top group available to me until college as a freshman, so I’ll end up having to upgrade in the next four years

[@sydneystringcentre]

@@Smoke--- wow, well done! Hopefully you find an instrument that you fall in love with. :-)

[@concertmasterntl]

Do not get a bigger viola unless you can play thirds and octaves comfortably. Bigger just makes things harder. 16.5 is plenty large.

[@Smoke---]

@@concertmasterntl yeah 7 months later I still have the same one, and as I’m getting more advanced I’m starting to see that it’s really not way too small. It makes spacing pretty easy which is nice. Imma keep it for a few more years probably

[@Miffopro]

One of my violas is at 20,7 inches - that one requires gibbon monkey arms! 😉

[@alanaliyev456GT]

its a Viola or a quinton ????? even my with my 5'10" height 6'4" arm wingspan (my favorite viola is a 16") i never play or just see one a 20,7 inches ... my taller Viola is my collection is a 17,3 ( 44 cm )

[@uhoh007]

show how to tell what you have, please

[@sydneystringcentre]

Hi there, do you mean - how can you tell what size viola you already have? - If so, you can measure the body length of the instrument (don't include the neck or scroll) and this will give you a measurement in inches which will be the size of your viola 🙂

[@uhoh007]

@@sydneystringcentre I wish your video showed this measurement being made on a bench. TY for your reply

[@TragoudistrosMPH]

1:02 shows where to measure :)