A viola has several major parts, similar to a violin. The largest and most recognizable part of a viola is its body, which is divided into three sections. The fingerboard or neck of a viola is a long, narrow strip of wood that connects the body to the fretboard. Strings also run from the instrument’s body to the neck’s end. A bow is also required to rub the strings of the instrument in order for it to produce music.
A viola is a string instrument, specifically one from the violin family. The viola da gamba is a string instrument that is smaller than a cello but larger than a violin. Most violas have bodies that are about 16 inches (40.6 centimeters) long on average, but smaller versions are available.
The body of a viola is the most visible of all its components. This is a large, hourglass-shaped wooden piece at the bottom of the instrument. This part is hollow on the inside, allowing sound to vibrate. F holes in the shape of scrolls adorn both sides of the body.
The lower bout, or lower half of the body, is slightly larger than the top half. This section houses the chin rest and the tail piece, which holds the strings. The waist is the area of the body where the bridge, which holds the strings away from the body, is located. The finger board is attached to the upper bout, which is the top part of the hourglass shape.
A fingerboard is another component of the viola. The strings are strung on this long, narrow strip of wood. The instrument produces different pitches or notes when a musician presses her fingers on certain strings at different parts of the fingerboard.
The lower part of a viola’s fingerboard is attached to the body, as previously stated. The fingerboard’s upper portion extends past the body. This is also referred to as the neck. The top of the viola’s neck is where a couple of other parts of the instrument are attached.
The scroll refers to the carved end of a viola’s neck. Tuning pegs and other viola parts are attached to the scroll. Strings are threaded through these pegs, and the strings are tightened or loosened as the pegs are turned one way or the other. The different pitches required to tune an instrument are created by tightening or loosening the strings.
The strings are another important component of a viola. The four strings on a viola are typically thicker than those on a violin. The viola’s lower pitch is made possible by the thickness of the strings.
A bow is required to play the viola, despite the fact that it is not usually considered one of the instrument’s parts. A wooden rod with horsehair or synthetic horsehair stretched between each end is used for this. When you drag the bow across the strings, they vibrate, causing the instrument to make sounds.