• 🎻 Virtual Viola

    Play bowed and plucked viola notes, practice scales, explore vibrato, and record melodies online.

    1. Viola Sound Settings

    2. Interactive Viola Fingerboard

    Last Note Played — Select a note to begin

    Click or tap a position to play a note. In bowed mode, press and hold to sustain the sound. In pizzicato mode, each note rings out after being plucked.

    Positions 0–12 represent semitone steps. A real viola has no frets, allowing continuous pitch changes.

    Keyboard: A S D F G H J K L ; Q W E plays the open A string through position 12. Hold keys for sustained bowed notes.

    3. Viola Scale Practice

    Highlighted positions belong to the selected scale. Gold markers show root notes. Use the scale player to practice pitch matching and melodic intervals.

    4. Viola Melody Recorder

    No viola melody recorded yet.

    Record the notes you play, their timing, and bowed note lengths. Listen back or copy the note sequence as text. Audio and MIDI export are not included.

  • A Virtual Viola lets musicians, singers, songwriters, producers, and beginners explore the warm, expressive sound of the viola directly in their browser without needing a physical instrument.

    Whether you're practicing melodies, learning string instrument notes, or experimenting with orchestral arrangements, this free online viola provides an interactive way to make music.

    How to Use the Virtual Viola

    Click or tap the fingerboard to play different notes, or use your computer keyboard for additional control.

    Choose between arco (bowed) and pizzicato (plucked) playing techniques. Adjust the bow pressure, bow speed, vibrato, resonance, and volume to experiment with different sounds.

    Learn About Viola Strings and Tuning

    The viola is a bowed string instrument that is slightly larger than the violin and generally produces a deeper, warmer sound.

    Its four strings are tuned C3, G3, D4, and A4, from lowest to highest. Unlike the violin, which has an E string, the viola has a lower C string.

    The viola is commonly used in orchestras, chamber ensembles, and solo performances.

    Practice Bowing and Plucking

    Arco playing uses a bow to create sustained notes, while pizzicato involves plucking the strings with a finger to produce shorter, more percussive sounds.

    Use the virtual playing controls to explore how these techniques affect the character of a melody.

    Practice Viola Scales

    The built-in scale player includes major, minor, pentatonic, and chromatic scales.

    Highlight scale notes on the fingerboard to explore their positions, and adjust the tempo to practice at a comfortable speed.

    Explore Vibrato and Expression

    Vibrato is a subtle variation in pitch that string players use to add warmth and expression to sustained notes.

    Adjust the vibrato depth and speed to hear how different settings change the character of a bowed viola note.

    Virtual Viola for Singers and Songwriters

    Singers can use the virtual viola for pitch matching, interval training, ear training, and practicing melodies within the middle register.

    Songwriters and producers can experiment with viola-inspired sounds for classical, cinematic, folk, jazz, pop, R&B, and other musical styles.

    Record Your Viola Melodies

    The built-in recorder captures the notes you play, their timing, and playing techniques so you can listen back to musical ideas.

    You can also copy a text-based note sequence for reference when practicing, composing, or arranging.

    Tip: Start by playing the four open strings—C, G, D, and A—then practice a simple C major scale. Try singing along with each note to strengthen your pitch recognition and become more familiar with the viola's warm middle-range sound.

    Related Pages:

    What Instrument Should You Play? Several Choices That May Fit Your Style

    Instruments That Can Use The Vibrato Technique