The role and significance of the viola in music history

Viola is a stringed instrument which is the second member of the violin family. In this historical study, the evolution and the development of the viola, its parts, its technical and musical characteristics, its repertoire and its use in polyphonical music, have been researched. The role and the significiance of the viola in music history have also been studied. In order to obtain all this information, the evolution of the viola has been studied and ancestor instruments of the viola which are; Rubebe-Rebec and Viol Family (Viola da Gamba: Treble Viol, Tenor Viol, Bass Viol and Viola da Braccio: Lira da Braccio, Viola d'Amore) have been listed in chronological order. Pictorial evidence of the viol family began around 1500. The shape and dimensions of the viols, afterwards the violin family instruments in their present form evolved early in 16th century in Italy where Andrea Amati and other luthiers created their instruments. The viola that we use today did not start out as one kind of instrument and it is the compromise of three instruments, the tenor viol, the viola da braccio and the violin. In addition, information about the violin has been given because the present form of the viola evolved from the violin. The viola and the violin have been compared. Furthermore, the similarities and differences in playing these instruments have been explained. Key Words: Viola, Violin, Viol Family, Viola da Gamba, Viola da Braccio, Rebec, Rubebe.