Why This Matters for Violas

Violas require particularly careful setup to achieve their characteristic warm, mellow tone. A $450 viola with professional setup produces better tone than a $1,200 instrument shipped without setup work. Students deserve instruments that produce the beautiful viola sound that inspired them to choose this instrument. Parents investing in their child's musical education deserve violas that sound warm and rich, encouraging practice. Our setup work—included in every purchase—ensures optimal performance regardless of price point. This represents our 48 years of experience since 1976 serving Melbourne's string playing community.

What size viola do I need?

Viola sizing uses body length measurements rather than fractional sizes. Young students typically start with 12"-13" violas, progressing to 14"-15" as they grow. Most adults use 15.5"-16.5" instruments. Size selection depends on arm length and hand size more than age. Extend your arm fully—if you can comfortably wrap your hand around the scroll with fingers reaching the tuning pegs, the size suits you. Larger violas generally produce richer tone but require longer reach and more physical strength. Players with smaller frames may prefer 15"-15.5" violas even as adults. Visit our Altona showroom at 4-6 Drake Boulevard for proper sizing assessment. Our staff evaluate arm length, hand size, and physical comfort ensuring appropriate sizing. Incorrectly sized violas create technical obstacles and physical strain hindering development. The most common adult sizes are 16" and 16.5", though 15.5" suits many players perfectly. Call (03) 8360 7799 to schedule a sizing appointment with our viola specialists.

How much should I spend on a beginner viola?

Beginner violas require minimum $450-$500 investment for instruments with acceptable construction, reliable hardware, and playable quality producing the warm viola tone. Raggetti violas at $450 represent our entry point, delivering solid construction with our professional setup ensuring optimal playability. Violas under $400 typically feature poor construction with cheap fittings, inadequate setup, and tone so poor it defeats the purpose of choosing viola for its beautiful warm sound. Spending $500-$900 on student violas like our Gliga models provides significantly better tone, more reliable tuning, and build quality supporting multiple years of use. However, a $450 viola with proper professional setup produces better tone than $1,000 instruments shipped without setup work. Our setup service—included with every purchase—adds value exceeding the price difference between basic and premium student models. For serious students, parents should budget $700-$1,200 for intermediate instruments featuring solid woods and enhanced tone supporting advancing technique. Adult beginners uncertain about long-term commitment can start at $450-$550, upgrading later if they continue. Remember that violas require different setup than violins to produce their characteristic warm sound—our luthiers' expertise ensures your viola sounds like a viola should, not like a dull violin.

Is viola easier or harder than violin?

Viola presents different challenges than violin rather than being inherently easier or harder. The larger size requires longer arm reach and slightly more physical strength, potentially making violas more demanding physically than violins for smaller players. Viola strings have heavier gauge requiring more bow pressure and stronger left-hand fingers. However, viola technique is fundamentally similar to violin—players using proper violin technique transition to viola relatively easily. The alto clef used for viola music requires learning new note reading beyond treble clef, adding initial complexity. However, many students find alto clef logical once understood. Viola's warmer, mellower sound is more forgiving of slight intonation errors compared to violin's bright, exposing tone. Viola parts in orchestras and ensembles are often less technically demanding than violin parts, though they require solid intonation and rhythmic reliability. Students with prior violin experience often find viola relatively approachable, while complete beginners face similar challenges to violin beginners. The viola's unique voice and high demand in ensembles make it rewarding for students willing to invest practice time. Adult beginners succeed on viola just as they do on violin, though physical size considerations matter more. Our staff assess individual physical proportions and musical goals helping determine if viola suits you.

What's the difference between student and professional violas?

Student violas ($450-$900) typically feature laminated woods or solid tops with laminated back and ribs, factory construction with basic finishing, and hardware meeting minimum functional standards. These instruments provide the warm viola sound for beginners developing fundamental technique. Intermediate violas ($900-$2,500) incorporate solid spruce tops with solid maple backs and ribs, hand-carved elements with refined finishing, and superior hardware including ebony fittings. Enhanced tonal warmth, complexity, and projection support advancing students and adult amateurs. Advanced/professional violas ($2,500+) feature premium aged tonewoods selected for acoustic properties, hand-crafted construction by experienced makers, superior varnish enhancing tone and appearance, and meticulous setup supporting advanced technique. Professional instruments offer the rich, complex tone, dynamic range, and responsiveness demanded by serious players. The setup quality matters enormously for violas—our professional setup on student violas ensures they produce proper warm, mellow viola tone rather than sounding like dull violins. A well-set-up $800 Gliga viola sounds better than a $2,500 viola with poor bridge fitting and incorrect soundpost position. Setup work—included with every Angkor Music purchase—ensures your viola produces the beautiful sound that makes this instrument special regardless of price point.

Why does viola setup matter?

Professional viola setup is even more critical than violin setup because violas require specific adjustments to produce their characteristic warm, mellow tone rather than sounding like dull violins. The bridge must be cut and fitted precisely to the top's curve with dimensions appropriate for viola's heavier strings and lower pitch range. Bridge height and positioning affect the warm midrange tones violas are prized for. The soundpost position dramatically impacts whether a viola sounds rich and warm or thin and harsh—slight adjustments of millimeters change the instrument's voice significantly. Soundpost fitting for violas requires matching the post's ends to the top and back's inside curves precisely, creating proper pressure balancing the viola's larger body. Tuning pegs must handle greater string tension than violin pegs, requiring precise fitting preventing slipping under the stress of heavier gauge strings. Nut grooves require different spacing and depths than violins to accommodate viola string gauges and wider finger spacing. Online retailers and general music shops typically ship violas without this critical work, providing generic violin bridges not suited to viola dimensions, soundposts positioned approximately without fine adjustment for viola tone, and pegs fitted inadequately for heavier string tension. The result: instruments that technically function but produce inadequate tone missing the warm, rich character that defines the viola. Our luthiers perform complete viola-specific setup on every instrument ensuring optimal tone and playability regardless of price point.

What makes Gliga violas special?

Gliga violas, handmade in Reghin, Romania, represent Europe's finest workshop instruments at accessible prices, particularly excelling at producing the warm, rich tone violas require. The Gliga workshop uses select spruce and maple from the Carpathian Mountains—the same region supplying tonewoods to master makers. Traditional construction methods including hand-carving and oil varnish combine with modern quality control ensuring consistency. Gliga's viola range spans student-grade Genial series ($799+) through professional Maestro models, each receiving individual attention optimizing the characteristic warm viola voice. The Genial I at $799 provides student violas with solid wood construction, proper dimensions for viola tone production, and reliable playability supporting years of development. Gama series instruments ($1,400-$2,200) suit advancing students and adult players seeking enhanced warmth with European craftsmanship. Maestro models approach professional grade with premium aged woods producing complex, rich tone. Unlike Asian factory violas mass-produced without attention to the instrument's unique tonal requirements, Gliga violas come from experienced Romanian luthiers understanding how violas differ from violins in setup and voicing. The result: instruments producing genuine warm, mellow viola tone rather than sounding like dull violins. Combined with our professional viola-specific setup, Gliga violas deliver exceptional value for students requiring reliable instruments and advancing players seeking quality European craftsmanship.

Should violin players learn viola?

Violin players often benefit from learning viola, adding versatility, ensemble opportunities, and musical understanding. Violinists already possess fundamental bowed string technique, making viola transition relatively straightforward compared to learning entirely new instruments. The primary adjustments include larger size requiring slightly longer reach, heavier strings needing more bow pressure, alto clef reading beyond treble clef, and mental adjustment to viola's inner harmony role versus violin's melody focus. Many professional violinists double on viola for chamber music, orchestra substitute work, and recording sessions where viola skills increase employment opportunities. Violists are consistently in demand—orchestras and chamber groups always need competent viola players while violinists face intense competition. The unique warm, mellow voice attracts musicians seeking different tonal character than violin's brightness. Students finding violin too competitive or wanting ensemble focus over solo spotlight often thrive on viola. However, violinists should respect viola as a distinct instrument requiring dedicated practice, not just "big violin." Proper viola technique, tone production, and musical style differ from violin despite technical similarities. Adult violinists exploring viola should budget for quality instruments with proper setup—using poorly set-up violas creates frustration rather than musical satisfaction. Visit our showroom to try violas if you're a violinist considering the transition. Our staff—working string players themselves—provide honest assessment of whether viola suits your musical goals and physical proportions.

What accessories do I need with a new viola?

Essential viola accessories include a quality bow sized for viola, hard case for protection, rosin for bow hair, shoulder rest for comfortable playing position, and spare strings. Most complete outfits include basic versions, though upgrading components improves performance. A quality viola bow—slightly heavier and longer than violin bows—dramatically affects tone and playability. Budget additional $120-$250 beyond the viola price for proper bows featuring genuine horsehair, correct weight and balance for viola playing, and reliable frog mechanisms. Hard cases protect instruments from damage during transport—quality cases with hygrometer humidity monitoring preserve violas in Melbourne's variable climate. Shoulder rests create comfortable playing positions reducing neck and shoulder strain, particularly important for violas' larger size and weight. Rosin maintains bow hair grip on heavier viola strings—darker, stickier rosin suits viola better than light violin rosin. Fine tuners on the tailpiece facilitate precise tuning before developing peg-tuning skill, though many adult viola players use pegs exclusively. Viola stands provide safe storage during practice. Humidification systems protect instruments during dry winter months. Clip-on tuners help students develop pitch awareness. Music stands support proper playing position. Cleaning cloths remove rosin dust preserving varnish. Alto clef method books support music reading development beyond treble clef. Our staff recommend appropriate viola-specific accessories matched to instrument quality and player level—call (03) 8360 7799 for complete outfit pricing.

How often do violas need maintenance?

Violas require regular maintenance ensuring optimal performance and preserving tone quality. String changes every 6-12 months depending on playing frequency maintain tone and intonation—viola strings deteriorate losing warmth and response. Bow rehairing every 12-18 months replaces worn horsehair maintaining proper grip on heavier viola strings. Professional setup checks annually verify bridge position hasn't shifted, soundpost remains properly fitted for viola tone, and peg fitting maintains appropriate friction under viola string tension. Melbourne's humidity variations particularly affect violas—summer humidity can swell wood causing soundpost loosening and affecting tone, while dry winter air can cause seam openings. Humidification during dry months prevents cracks and maintains stable dimensions. Small adjustments—fine tuner replacement, peg compound application, bridge position correction—should be performed by experienced luthiers familiar with viola-specific requirements rather than attempted by players. Major maintenance including crack repair, neck resetting, varnish touch-up, fingerboard dressing, and nut replacement requires specialized luthiery work. We provide ongoing maintenance for all violas purchased from Angkor Music, with our luthiers available for setup checks, adjustments, and repairs. Regular professional maintenance preserves instrument value and ensures violas continue producing the warm, rich tone that makes them special. Contact our viola specialists at (03) 8360 7799 to discuss maintenance schedules and current service pricing.

Where can I try violas in Melbourne before buying?

Visit Angkor Music at 4-6 Drake Boulevard, Altona to try our complete viola selection in comfortable, unpressured environments. Our showroom features violas across all price points from student Raggetti instruments at $450 through professional-grade Gliga models and restored European violas. Unlike online retailers offering no hands-on evaluation, our in-store trial allows you to hear the warm, mellow tone differences, feel playability variations across sizes, and assess comfort across multiple instruments. Our staff—working string players with decades of combined experience including viola players—provide expert guidance based on genuine playing knowledge rather than sales pressure. We assess players for proper sizing ensuring comfortable arm reach and hand position. Adults receive honest recommendations matching skill level, musical goals, physical proportions, and budget constraints. Violinists exploring viola get specific advice on size selection and transition considerations. Private testing areas allow evaluation without distraction. We maintain proper humidity control preserving instrument condition and ensuring accurate tonal representation of each viola's warm character. Our professional relationships with Gliga, Raggetti, Sandner, and other manufacturers mean we understand each brand's characteristics and can explain how different violas produce varied warm tones. Regional Victorian customers unable to visit can call (03) 8360 7799 for phone consultations, though we strongly recommend hands-on evaluation when possible given how significantly individual violas vary in tone and feel. Remember: every viola purchased from Angkor Music receives complete professional viola-specific setup by our experienced luthiers, ensuring optimal warm tone and playability—a critical service online retailers omit.

Visit Us: 4-6 Drake Boulevard, Altona VIC 3018
Call: (03) 8360 7799
Serving Melbourne since 1976