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The viola is a bit bigger than the violin and makes a deep, rich sound. It has two jobs in the orchestra; it plays harmonies, but also gets great solos from time to time.   It can be played by bowing, plucking and can also be strummed! Listen to the Viola Instrument Range Listen to it played from its lowest to highest note Special Effects Plucked / harmonic / wood of bow / Hear it in action Hear the viola in Vaughan Williams' Tallis Fantasia          Meet the Orchestra! Rebecca Chambers plays the viola with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Read about her below.       Rebecca Chambers, Viola How old were you when you first started playing? I started learning the violin at seven and switched to viola at ten. Why did you choose this instrument? I really wanted to give up the violin and take up the double bass but was steered towards the viola by my parents! Do you play any other instruments? Piano - very badly. I'm also taking my grade 3 cello at Christmas! What do you like most about playing in an orchestra? The variety of music I get to play. Do you play any other kind of music? I play in a string quartet. What is your favourite piece of music? Bach's B minor Mass. Do you have any other hobbies? I'm into amateur radio. What would you have been if you weren't a musician? Normal!                   All pictures are copyrighted - picture credits     Flute Trumpet Oboe French Horn Clarinet Trombone Bassoon Tuba     Violin Tuned Viola Untuned Cello Timpani Double Bass   Harp   LEARN AN INSTRUMENT Which instrument, which age, finding teachers, buying guide and the perils of practice   Get help Listening

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