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Step 1
Look at the two side by side. The viola is longer than the violin. When set next to each other, the viola's neck stretches past the violin.
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Step 2
Listen for the deeper sound of the viola. The sound is much stronger and lower in pitch than a violin making it the alto voice in the family of instruments.
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Step 3
View the bow of the viola. Because the instrument is bigger, the bow is a little longer, and a viola player must stretch his arms more to properly play the viola.
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Step 4
Tune them differently. The viola tunes with a scale to C, D, G and A; while the violin tunes to G, D, A and E.
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Step 5
Pick up both instruments. The difference in weight is noticeable. The viola being the heavier of the two.
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Step 6
Notice a viola player's movements. When performing, the violist must make larger motions with his or her arms to stretch the bow back and forth across the strings.






