Editing Viola (section)

== Form ==
{{See also|Violin construction and mechanics}}
[[File:Viola Bridge.jpg|thumb|Viola close up of bridge]]
The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between {{convert|25|and|100|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} longer than the body of a full-size violin (i.e., between {{convert|38|and(-)|46|cm|in|abbr=on|disp=sqbr}}), with an average length of {{convert|41|cm|in|abbr=on}}. Small violas typically made for children typically start at {{convert|30|cm|in|abbr=on}}, which is equivalent to a [[violin#Sizes|half-size violin]]. For a child who needs a smaller size, a fractional-sized violin is often strung with the strings of a viola.<ref>{{cite web| title =Violin and Viola| publisher =Oakville Suzuki Association| year =2009| url =https://oakvillesuzuki.org/osa/content/violin-viola| access-date =2013-07-13| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130927060546/https://oakvillesuzuki.org/osa/content/violin-viola| archive-date =2013-09-27}}</ref> Unlike the violin, the viola does not have a standard full size. The body of a viola would need to measure about {{convert|51|cm|in|abbr=on}} long to match the acoustics of a violin, however it can only be played vertically like a Cello, hence the name [[Vertical viola]].<ref>{{cite web
  | title = The Violin Octet
  | publisher = The New Violin Family Association
  | date = 2004–2009
  | url = http://www.nvfa.org/8tet.html
  | access-date = 2011-05-18}}</ref> For centuries, viola makers have experimented with the size and shape of the viola, often adjusting proportions or shape to make a lighter instrument with shorter string lengths, but with a large enough [[sound box]] to retain the viola sound. Prior to the eighteenth century, violas had no uniform size. Large violas (tenors) were designed to play the lower register viola lines or second viola in five part harmony depending on instrumentation. A smaller viola, nearer the size of the violin, was called an ''alto viola''. It was more suited to higher register writing, as in the viola 1 parts, as their sound was usually richer in the upper register. Its size was not as conducive to a full tone in the lower register.

[[File:Oak Leaf viola.jpg|thumb|right|Oak Leaf viola, Eric Benning, [[Benning Violins]]]]
Several experiments have intended to increase the size of the viola to improve its sound and harmony. [[Hermann Ritter]]'s ''viola alta'', which measured about {{convert|48|cm|in|abbr=on}}, was intended for use in [[Richard Wagner|Wagner]]'s operas.<ref>{{cite journal| last =Maurice| first =Joseph| title =Michael Balling: Pioneer German Solo Violist with a New Zealand Interlude|journal=[[American Viola Society]]|issue =Summer 2003| url =http://www.americanviolasociety.org/JAVS%20Online/Summer%202003/Balling/Balling.htm| access-date =2006-07-31| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20060823210842/http://www.americanviolasociety.org/JAVS%20Online/Summer%202003/Balling/Balling.htm| archive-date =2006-08-23}}</ref> The [[Lionel Tertis|Tertis]] model viola, which has wider bouts and deeper ribs to promote a better tone, is another slightly "nonstandard" shape that allows the player to use a larger instrument. Many experiments with the acoustics of a viola, particularly increasing the size of the body, have resulted in a much deeper tone, making it resemble the tone of a cello. Since many composers wrote for a traditional-sized viola, particularly in orchestral music, changes in the tone of a viola can have unintended consequences upon the balance in ensembles.

One of the most notable makers of violas of the twentieth century was Englishman [[A. E. Smith (violin maker)|A. E. Smith]], whose violas are sought after and highly valued. Many of his violas remain in Australia, his country of residence, where during some decades the violists of the [[Sydney Symphony Orchestra]] had a dozen of them in their section.

More recent (and more radically shaped) innovations have addressed the ergonomic problems associated with playing the viola by making it shorter and lighter, while finding ways to keep the traditional sound. These include the Otto Erdesz "cutaway" viola, which has one shoulder cut out to make shifting easier;<ref>{{cite journal|last=Curtin|first=Joseph|author-link=Joseph Curtin|title=Otto Erdesz Remembered|journal=[[The Strad]]|issue=November 2000|url=http://www.josephcurtinstudios.com/news/strad/nov00/Erdesz_bio.htm|access-date=2006-07-30|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017162129/http://www.josephcurtinstudios.com/news/strad/nov00/Erdesz_bio.htm|archive-date=2006-10-17}}</ref> the "Oak Leaf" viola, which has two extra bouts; [[viol]]-shaped violas such as [[Joseph Curtin]]'s "Evia" model, which also uses a moveable neck and maple-veneered [[carbon fibre]] back, to reduce weight:<ref>{{cite journal|last=Curtin|first=Joseph|author-link=Joseph Curtin|title=Project Evia|journal=American Lutherie Journal|number=60|date=Winter 1999|url=http://www.josephcurtinstudios.com/innovation/project_evia.htm|access-date=2006-10-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061228071625/http://www.josephcurtinstudios.com/innovation/project_evia.htm|archive-date =2006-12-28}}</ref> violas played in the same manner as cellos (see [[vertical viola]]); and the eye-catching [[Salvador Dalí|"Dalí]]-esque" shapes of both Bernard Sabatier's violas in fractional sizes—which appear to have melted—and David Rivinus' ''Pellegrina'' model violas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rivinus-instruments.com/Pellegrina.htm |title=The Pellegrina – David L. Rivinus Violin Maker|website=Rivinus-instruments.com|access-date=2013-04-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515105318/http://www.rivinus-instruments.com/Pellegrina.htm |archive-date=2013-05-15 }}</ref>

Other experiments that deal with the "ergonomics vs. sound" problem have appeared. The American composer [[Harry Partch]] fitted a viola with a cello neck to allow the use of his 43-tone scale, called the "adapted viola". Luthiers have also created five-stringed violas,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Five String Violas: What is special about a 5-string viola? |url=https://fivestringfiddles.com/five-string-violas/ |access-date=2023-09-11 |language=en-US}}</ref> which allow a greater playing range.