The viola (/ viˈoʊlə / vee-OH-lə, [1] (ⓘ) Italian: [ˈvjɔːla, viˈɔːla]) is a string instrument of the violin family, and is usually bowed when played. Violas are slightly larger than violins, and have a lower sound.

Explore the viola’s rich, warm sound, its role in ensembles, and what makes this soulful string instrument essential to musical expression.

Viola, stringed musical instrument, the tenor of the violin family. It is built in proportions similar to those of the violin but has a body length of 37 to 43 cm (14.5 to 17 inches), about 5 cm (2 inches) longer …

Known as the "big fiddle," the viola serves as the middle voice because of its mid-range in the stringed instrument family, between the upper lines played by the violin and the lower lines played by the cello …

Sep 30, 2025 · We are an organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting the viola and those who love it.

The viola is a plucked string instrument belonging to the string family; it is similar in size to the violin (slightly larger) but has a deeper tone. Its history is long and fascinating, dating back to the Middle …

ViolaOnline.com offers free viola sheet music and free online viola lessons and viola instruction for all ages.

The viola, a key string instrument, offers rich, resonant tones. Learn about viola tuning, types, and history, explore viola music and chords, and discover its meaning and price. Whether you're starting …

She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for reprising her role in the 2016 film adaptation of Fences. She was Oscar-nominated for playing a complex mother in Doubt (2008), a …

15 hours ago · Oscar award-winning actress Viola Davis spoke on the deadly shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island less than a day after the tragedy took place. Davis grew up in Rhode …