The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.
The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin but is larger in size and more variable in its proportions. A "full-size" viola's body is between one and four inches longer than the body of a full-size violin (i.e., between 15 and 18 inches (38 and 46 cm)), with an average length of about 16 inches (41 cm). Small violas made for children typically start at 12 inches (30 cm), which is equivalent to a half-size violin. Often, a fractional-sized violin will be strung with the strings of a viola (C, G, D and A) for those children who need even smaller sizes^. Unlike the violin, the viola does not have a standard full size. The body of a viola would need to measure about 21 inches (53 cm) long to match the acoustics of a violin, making it impractical to play in the same manner as the violin. For centuries, viola makers have experimented with the size and shape of the viola, often tweaking the proportions or shape of the instrument to make an instrument with a shorter scale length and lighter weight, but that still has a large enough sound box to create an unmistakable "viola sound."

Playing the viola

Playing a 17" viola in 3rd position.

A person who plays the viola is called a violist or in other words, viola player. While it is similar to the violin, the technique required for playing viola has many differences. The difference in size accounts for some of the technical differences, as notes are spread out farther along the fingerboard often requiring different fingerings. The less responsive strings and heavier bow warrant a somewhat different bowing technique. The viola requires the player to lean more intensely on the strings compared to the violin.

Saif Bin Suleiman Bin Marhoon Al-Mayahi (The Leader)

Born in 1973, Saif joined the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra in 1985 during the initial recruitment exercise.

Making quick progress, Saif fuethered his playing by studying with Malcolm Layfield, Roger Bigley and Rodney Slatford at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. he has been awarded the Advanced Recital Certificate and most recently the LRSM.And he won many prises. Also, he has been choesen to play with the world Fullharmonic Orchestra

Upon his return to Oman, Saif formally became the Leader of thr Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra and as result has worked with many international conductors and soloists. Recently, he successfully obtained ascholarship in Canford, Uk, where he was chosen by the Dean of the college as a Leader of the Orchestra.

The violin

The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello.The violin is sometimes informally called a fiddle. Someone who plays the violin is called a violinist or a fiddler. The violinist produces sound by drawing a bow across one or more strings (which may be stopped by the fingers of the other hand to produce a full range of pitches), by plucking the strings (with either hand), or by a variety of other techniques. The violin is played by musicians in a wide variety of musical genres, including Baroque music, classical, jazz, folk music, and rock and roll. The violin has come to be played in many non-western music cultures all over the world..The parts of a violin are usually made from different types of wood (although electric violins may not be made of wood at all, since their sound may not be dependent on specific acoustic characteristics of the instrument's construction), and it is usually strung with gut, nylon or other synthetic, or steel strings.