Viola Rental

What Is a Viola?

The viola is a wooden instrument in the orchestral string family, alongside the violin, cello and double bass. It is larger and lower-pitched than the violin but smaller and higher-pitched than the cello. In orchestras and chamber ensembles like the string quartet, it often serves a vital supportive role, blending with other instruments to create harmonies, but it also sounds beautiful carrying a melody. The viola is found in genres outside of classical music as well, turning up in folk and Americana, pop, indie, experimental music and more. Compared to the higher voice and bracing tone of the violin, the viola has a darker, warmer sound.

How Do You Play the Viola?

The viola is held much like the violin, with the body of the instrument resting between the musician’s shoulder and chin. The left hand presses the strings onto the fingerboard to change pitch, while the right hand uses a bow for sustained notes or plucks the strings to create short, percussive sounds.

Why the Viola Is a Great Instrument for Your Child

The viola is an ideal instrument for children. It’s available in multiple sizes to suit young learners as they grow, and when you rent through Music & Arts, you can upsize your child’s instrument with no additional fee. Its role as a supportive instrument, providing an essential source of harmony to the ensemble, teaches kids the importance of collaboration. At the same time, its striking, full-bodied timbre will excite and inspire your child as they learn to perform melodies. Learning to play the viola will also improve their coordination and focus — and can even have mental-health benefits.

Renting a Viola vs. Buying a Viola

When considering a viola rental, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of renting vs. buying an instrument. If your child is already dedicated to the viola, purchasing may be the better route. For beginners, renting is a low-risk way to discover an instrument without a big initial investment.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Viola?

Viola rental rates at Music & Arts are consistently affordable across the country, with pricing that varies by location and school. Special introductory offers make it even easier to get started. Considering that a top-quality student-level viola with accessories can cost over $1,000, renting a viola from Music & Arts is a smart, budget-friendly alternative.

Optional Viola Products and Accessories

Your viola rental comes with everything you need to start playing, including a case, a bow and rosin. Rosin is a sticky substance that helps the bow grip the strings so that they vibrate and produce sound.

Additionally, your child’s music teacher at school will recommend key accessories that you’ll be able to purchase during the rental process, as well as a method book.

To keep your instrument in great shape, we highly recommend adding the Strobel Viola Starter Pack. This cost-effective, all-in-one kit includes essential accessories to support your child throughout their first year of lessons or orchestra.

A streamlined Strobel Viola Care Kit is also available.

Learn more about the accessories your child needs in this Buyer’s Guide.

Next Steps for Your Viola Rental

Private lessons: As the leading provider of private music lessons in the United States, Music & Arts is the ideal place for your child to learn to play the viola and supplement their school instruction. Visit our Music Lessons page or find a store near you.

Continue renting: If your child is enjoying the instrument, you can extend your viola rental period with Music & Arts.

Buy an instrument: Music & Arts rental fees act as credit toward the purchase of an instrument. If you wish to buy a rentable, student-level viola, your accrued rental payments can cover up to 100 percent of the instrument’s purchase price. Buy early, before your rental term expires, to receive a discount of up to 30 percent.

Viola Rental FAQs

How do I rent a viola from Music & Arts?

You can rent online in just a few simple steps. First, visit our Instrument Rentals page. Then, search for and select your school. Choose your instrument, confirm or select your trial period, and add any method books or supplies. Finally, enter the student and renter information, choose your delivery method and complete the billing details.

What comes with my viola rental?

Your viola rental includes the instrument, a case, a bow and rosin. To ensure you have the essential accessories and maintenance products, we highly recommend adding the Strobel Viola Starter Pack.

Will my rental viola be new?

Most rental instruments are like-new. We recommend renting a previously used instrument, as each one is professionally adjusted for optimal playability. A young learner with a poorly maintained instrument may struggle to progress.

How long will it take to receive my viola?

If you choose Ship to Home, orders are processed within 48 hours and typically arrive within one to five days, depending on your location. For Pick Up at School, delivery is arranged by your child’s music teacher. If you select Pick Up at Store, the store will contact you when your instrument is ready — usually within 48 hours.