Today's Violas
You can pay some very hefty prices for a viola - it certainly pays to shop around. It should always be on a web shopper's list to check ebay - not only will you save money on used violas, but the prices on new ones can be well below what you find elsewhere, even on the net. Merchants use ebay as a way to sell excess, last year's models, etc.
Why mess around with a lesser brand, when you can pay the same low prices you pay for an inferior viola, but get the higher quality model you really want? On ebay, you'll find trusted sellers who specialize in string instruments- check their feedback ratings, experience, etc before you buy, and you'll have virtually no risk.
About Violas
The viola (French, alto; German Bratsche) is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the upper lines played by the violin and the lower lines played by the cello.
The casual observer may mistake the viola for the violin because of their similarity in size, closeness in pitch range (the viola is a perfect fifth below the violin), and identical playing position. However, the viola's timbre sets it apart: its rich, dark-toned sonority is more full-bodied than the violin's. The viola's mellow voice is frequently used for playing inner harmonies, and it does not enjoy the wide solo repertoire or fame of the violin.
The name of the instrument is properly pronounced "vee-oh-la" (but often incorrectly pronounced "vie-oh-la" as the woman's name "Viola" is spoken).
Historically, the viola was used less often for solo concerti and sonatas than the violin and the cello. This was often attributed to its sound, which, being mellower and perhaps less sharp than that of the violin, was said to be less suited to virtuoso display.
Sheet music written for the viola differs from that of other instruments in that it primarily uses alto clef (sometimes called "viola clef"), which is otherwise rarely seen. Viola sheet music also employs the treble clef when there are substantial sections of the music written in higher registers.
The term violist is not universally used in English; some players, generally British, prefer viola player, since the word "'violist" is used in the UK to mean "player of the viol".
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