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Before we begin our discussion
of the viola section, listen to
what the solo viola sounds like:
While a solo viola
has a more fragile tone than a full viola
section, its sound is more intimate
Usage
The violas often
double the violins' melody, one
octave lower. But they are often called upon to play the melody by themselves.
The following example demonstrates the violas
in a very comfortable register:
With the addition of atmospheric harmony from the violins, we can create a satisfying
musical moment:
The combination of violas
and cellos creates another fulfilling
musical blend:
In this example, the violas
harmonize the cellos' line, an
octave and a third higher. Because of the cellos'
rich overtones, this distance allows the music some breathing room.
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