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What size viola do you play and thoughts on sizing
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Mouse
January 8, 2024 - 9:33 am
Member Since: July 8, 2021
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I was wondering what size viola you play.

I play a 15 1/2. I tried the 16 inch viola. I could not handle it, even though my measurements were in the size for a 16 inch viola. I was getting sore arms from tensing up to make the reach of a 16 inch viola. I kept reading how a smaller viola has no sound. I beg to differ, I have a Fiddlershop Fiddlerman Soloist viola made in 2020 and it is simply lovely and full ... when I play it right! It actually has the full sounds when I have issues. 

I have a 15 7/8 inch viola. I can't play it as often. That extra 3/8 inch makes a huge difference in comfort and playability. It is a little bit of a stretch, causing tension, but the 1/8 inch less than the 16 inch, does make it playable when I am just having a flexible day. That never happens with a 16 inch viola. The owner/luthier of the violin shop that I used to go to made this viola. He retired and sold the shop. New owners moved to a different location, bummer.

So, what have you experienced with different sizes of violas. It is so interesting, the different sizes of violas. 

The Bumble Bee Flies

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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AndrewH
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January 12, 2024 - 3:09 am
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I play a 15-3/4" viola. When I first switched to viola, it was on a 15-1/2" viola that I borrowed for four years. But my slightly larger viola is actually easier to play than what I had before, because it's a Tertis-pattern viola with a shorter vibrating string length and narrower upper bout than typical violas. The vibrating string length on my viola is approximately what you would expect to see for a 15-1/4" viola in a more typical shape. I have the arm length for a larger viola, but my fingers are very short, so vibrating string length matters more to me than body length.

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wtw
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January 12, 2024 - 2:27 pm
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40.5 cm, so approx 16 inch here. My previous one was smaller but with the same string length, so switching didn't change anything for me in terms of finger spacings. Sometimes I wonder if it would be easier on a smaller instrument, but I don't think so. My arms and fingers are long enough - just not flexible enough!

So Tertis-pattern violas are bigger with a shorter string length ? that's interesting. I never looked into the different types of violas.

@Mouse I'm sure smaller instruments can sound perfectly nice and 'project' the sound well. Maybe a bigger one has more power (if made right and played right), but in any case, you or I are not bound to play in a big concert hall anytime soon, so it's of no importance.

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Mouse
January 12, 2024 - 3:25 pm
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@AndrewH and @wtw Thanks for the input. 

It just seemed so odd that that little bit of size difference makes so much of a difference in my being able to be comfortable playing. Of course, I ammhaving a hard time finding a comfortable set up, too. 

I finally got a good setup for my viol8n. I am still working on my viola. When I finally hit the mark on the violin, my playing starting improving. I am not positive what chinrest I am using. I would try to match it with a viola one, at least a good starting point. I love the feel of the Holstein Freedom that I am currently using, but I cannot find a good shoulder rest to go with it, so I need to go the other way,

I think the chinrest that I have on my violin is a Vermeer (Vemeer?). Steveduff gave it to me a long time ago. It seems to work well on my violin with rhe Fiddlerman wooden shoulder rest. 

I am thinking that I will need a different set up for each viola, since they re different sizes. Maybe, if I can improve the set up on both, I will be able to switch between them more often. They each have a different basic tone. 

I would think that having two different sizes, would require slightly different set ups? I bought the larger one first because of the lovely mellow tone, but it was causing issues. I then purchased the Fiddlerman one. It is almost as mellow. I am happy with it,  very happy, but I would like to use the other one more often, too. I don't want it just hanging there. 

So, maybe I need a little higher chinrest, with a lower shoulder rest. I am thinking my stretch will be less? With the higher shoulder rest and low profile Holstein Freedom chinrest, I think it is causing more of a stretch. Too bad. The Freedom is so small, has such a soft feel, and the edges have such a comfortable curve. But, it is low profile, which I think is the issue. Bummer. 

The Bumble Bee Flies

Please ignore any typos. My typing ability on a real typewriter did not transfer to these device key pads.

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AndrewH
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January 12, 2024 - 4:09 pm
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wtw said
 

So Tertis-pattern violas are bigger with a shorter string length ? that's interesting. I never looked into the different types of violas.

  

 

Compared to other violas with the same body length, Tertis-pattern violas have a slightly narrower upper bout and a wider lower bout, and a shorter vibrating string length. They also have slightly higher ribs and slightly flatter top and bottom plates.

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