My daughter is a grade 5 violinist. Last friday she had her first ever viola lesson and then played viola in a chamber music workshop over the weekend. Her teacher lent her his own viola for this so it was a lovely instrument and had a good bow. Unfortunately she's had to give that viola back now.
After half term he's going to get her a county instrument to borrow so that she can learn a bit more gently (it was a bit of a crash course !! - I don't mean literally - she didn't drop the viola!!) I don't for one moment expect that the bow will be particularly good, but her own violin bow is a very good bow.

Question: Can she use her violin bow on the viola or does the viola need a different bow? We'd rather not buy another one if we don't have to, particularly as we're only borrowing the viola.

Thanks for any advice!

Jane

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Sorry but you need a viola bow for the viola. It's a bigger, heavier instrument so it really does need a bigger, heavier bow.

Violinia

Thanks Violinia - I thought that might be the case - we'll have to wait and see what comes with the instrument!

Jane