Changes

==History==

==History==

The modern viola was developed around the same time as the violin, in the mid-fifteenth century.  Originally thought to have been developed by Gaspara da Salo, earlier violas have been found proving this theory untrue.  During the classical period of music, composers viewed the viola as a lesser instrument, writing music only out of a sense of tradition.  It was not until the eighteen and nineteen hundreds that composers started to write better parts for violas, realizing the instrument could provide interesting music of its own.

The modern viola was developed around the same time as the violin, in the mid-fifteenth century.  Originally thought to have been developed by Gaspara da Salo, earlier violas have been found proving this theory untrue.  During the classical period of music, composers viewed the viola as a lesser instrument, writing music only out of a sense of tradition.  It was not until the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries that composers started to write better parts for violas, realizing the instrument could provide interesting music of its own.

==Viola Music==

==Viola Music==

Reading viola music can be difficult at first, even for experienced musicians, due to the fact that most viola music is written in alto clef (which is rarely used), rather than trebel or base clef.  The different clef is difficult for musicians to transpose without practise.

Reading viola music can be difficult at first, even for experienced musicians, because most viola music is written in alto clef (which is rarely used), rather than trebel or base clef.  The different clef is difficult for musicians to transpose without practise.

The viola is typically assigned secondary parts in music, often harmonies without significant melodies assigned to the instrument.  Chamber music, especially of the 1800s, is one notable exception, where the viola is often assigned significant parts.  Even with extensive existing music, few modern composers write viola music.

The viola is typically assigned secondary parts in music, often harmonies without significant melodies assigned to the instrument.  Chamber music, especially of the 1800s, is one notable exception, where the viola is often assigned significant parts.  Even with extensive existing music, few modern composers write viola music.

*[[John Cale]]

*[[John Cale]]

*[[Whit Schroder]]

*[[Whit Schroder]]

*[[Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown]](also a Texas [[blues]] violist and [[guitarist]]  

*[[Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown]] (also a Texas [[blues]] violist and [[guitarist]])

Many famous violinists also play, or have played, the viola as a secondary instrument, such as

Many famous violinists also play, or have played, the viola as a secondary instrument, such as

==Notable Works for the Viola==

==Notable Works for the Viola==

Some famous works for the viola include viola sonatas by Brahms, (Brahms' own transcriptions of his clarinet sonatas, op.120) and the works of English composers such as Ralph Vaughan Williams, (who studied the instrument)Benjamin Britten, Frank Bridge, Rebecca Clarke, and Arnold Bax, who used the unique tone of the instrument in their compositions.

Some famous works for the viola include viola sonatas by Brahms, (Brahms' own transcriptions of his clarinet sonatas, op.120) and the works of English composers such as Ralph Vaughan Williams, (who studied the instrument) Benjamin Britten, Frank Bridge, Rebecca Clarke, and Arnold Bax, who used the unique tone of the instrument in their compositions.

Two major compositions for the instrument with orchestra that are regularly played are Berlioz's "Harold in Italy", a musical invocation of a part of Byron's epic "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage"; and William Walton's Viola Concerto, one of the great string concertos of the 20th century.

Two major compositions for the instrument with orchestra that are regularly played are Berlioz's "Harold in Italy", a musical invocation of a part of Byron's epic "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage"; and William Walton's Viola Concerto, one of the great string concertos of the 20th century.