What instrument is an “alto” string part in a score?
In the music score below, the bottom five parts seem to be string parts. We think the first two are violins, the last is string bass, and the second-last is cello. But what is the third-last? Is it a viola? We understand the clef is an older-style C-clef (alto or viola clef).

terminology instruments orchestral-strings
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In the music score below, the bottom five parts seem to be string parts. We think the first two are violins, the last is string bass, and the second-last is cello. But what is the third-last? Is it a viola? We understand the clef is an older-style C-clef (alto or viola clef).

terminology instruments orchestral-strings
add a comment |
In the music score below, the bottom five parts seem to be string parts. We think the first two are violins, the last is string bass, and the second-last is cello. But what is the third-last? Is it a viola? We understand the clef is an older-style C-clef (alto or viola clef).

terminology instruments orchestral-strings
In the music score below, the bottom five parts seem to be string parts. We think the first two are violins, the last is string bass, and the second-last is cello. But what is the third-last? Is it a viola? We understand the clef is an older-style C-clef (alto or viola clef).

terminology instruments orchestral-strings
terminology instruments orchestral-strings
asked Dec 24 at 0:43
LarsH
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Yes, Alto = Viola. It's the French name for the instrument, and the score shown is a part of 'Carnival of the Animals' by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Carnival_of_the_Animals#XII_%22Fossiles%22_(Fossils)
The other instrument names are easily recognisable. Note that Bb Clarinet is 'Clarinette en SIb'. The French write the scale as do, ré, mi, fa, sol, la, si, do rather than C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. In German it would be "Klarinette in B'. In Germany, 'B' is 'Bb', 'H' is 'B'. Apart from confusing foreigners, this has the advantage of letting German composers write fugues based on 'BACH'.
Alto clef is the standard clef for viola music. A particularly high passage might move into treble clef. But mostly they live in alto clef.
Don't the French still use the mediaeval "ut" for do?
– Andrew Leach
2 days ago
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Yes it is a part written for a viola. Because of its range the alto clef is standard choice for viola in all types of music.
Here is an orchestral example from Verdi's overture to II Signor Bruschino (from the textbook Instrumentation and orchestration) where the viola is marked Va.

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Bonjour à toutes et bon courage pour votre réponse rapide dan les amis je suis malin plaisir beaucoup partner for xviiiim toujours encore j'adore tagstion de votre réponse
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3 Answers
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3 Answers
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Yes, Alto = Viola. It's the French name for the instrument, and the score shown is a part of 'Carnival of the Animals' by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Carnival_of_the_Animals#XII_%22Fossiles%22_(Fossils)
The other instrument names are easily recognisable. Note that Bb Clarinet is 'Clarinette en SIb'. The French write the scale as do, ré, mi, fa, sol, la, si, do rather than C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. In German it would be "Klarinette in B'. In Germany, 'B' is 'Bb', 'H' is 'B'. Apart from confusing foreigners, this has the advantage of letting German composers write fugues based on 'BACH'.
Alto clef is the standard clef for viola music. A particularly high passage might move into treble clef. But mostly they live in alto clef.
Don't the French still use the mediaeval "ut" for do?
– Andrew Leach
2 days ago
add a comment |
Yes, Alto = Viola. It's the French name for the instrument, and the score shown is a part of 'Carnival of the Animals' by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Carnival_of_the_Animals#XII_%22Fossiles%22_(Fossils)
The other instrument names are easily recognisable. Note that Bb Clarinet is 'Clarinette en SIb'. The French write the scale as do, ré, mi, fa, sol, la, si, do rather than C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. In German it would be "Klarinette in B'. In Germany, 'B' is 'Bb', 'H' is 'B'. Apart from confusing foreigners, this has the advantage of letting German composers write fugues based on 'BACH'.
Alto clef is the standard clef for viola music. A particularly high passage might move into treble clef. But mostly they live in alto clef.
Don't the French still use the mediaeval "ut" for do?
– Andrew Leach
2 days ago
add a comment |
Yes, Alto = Viola. It's the French name for the instrument, and the score shown is a part of 'Carnival of the Animals' by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Carnival_of_the_Animals#XII_%22Fossiles%22_(Fossils)
The other instrument names are easily recognisable. Note that Bb Clarinet is 'Clarinette en SIb'. The French write the scale as do, ré, mi, fa, sol, la, si, do rather than C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. In German it would be "Klarinette in B'. In Germany, 'B' is 'Bb', 'H' is 'B'. Apart from confusing foreigners, this has the advantage of letting German composers write fugues based on 'BACH'.
Alto clef is the standard clef for viola music. A particularly high passage might move into treble clef. But mostly they live in alto clef.
Yes, Alto = Viola. It's the French name for the instrument, and the score shown is a part of 'Carnival of the Animals' by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Carnival_of_the_Animals#XII_%22Fossiles%22_(Fossils)
The other instrument names are easily recognisable. Note that Bb Clarinet is 'Clarinette en SIb'. The French write the scale as do, ré, mi, fa, sol, la, si, do rather than C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. In German it would be "Klarinette in B'. In Germany, 'B' is 'Bb', 'H' is 'B'. Apart from confusing foreigners, this has the advantage of letting German composers write fugues based on 'BACH'.
Alto clef is the standard clef for viola music. A particularly high passage might move into treble clef. But mostly they live in alto clef.
answered Dec 24 at 1:55
Laurence Payne
31.6k1558
31.6k1558
Don't the French still use the mediaeval "ut" for do?
– Andrew Leach
2 days ago
add a comment |
Don't the French still use the mediaeval "ut" for do?
– Andrew Leach
2 days ago
Don't the French still use the mediaeval "ut" for do?
– Andrew Leach
2 days ago
Don't the French still use the mediaeval "ut" for do?
– Andrew Leach
2 days ago
add a comment |
Yes it is a part written for a viola. Because of its range the alto clef is standard choice for viola in all types of music.
Here is an orchestral example from Verdi's overture to II Signor Bruschino (from the textbook Instrumentation and orchestration) where the viola is marked Va.

add a comment |
Yes it is a part written for a viola. Because of its range the alto clef is standard choice for viola in all types of music.
Here is an orchestral example from Verdi's overture to II Signor Bruschino (from the textbook Instrumentation and orchestration) where the viola is marked Va.

add a comment |
Yes it is a part written for a viola. Because of its range the alto clef is standard choice for viola in all types of music.
Here is an orchestral example from Verdi's overture to II Signor Bruschino (from the textbook Instrumentation and orchestration) where the viola is marked Va.

Yes it is a part written for a viola. Because of its range the alto clef is standard choice for viola in all types of music.
Here is an orchestral example from Verdi's overture to II Signor Bruschino (from the textbook Instrumentation and orchestration) where the viola is marked Va.

edited 2 days ago
Laurence Payne
31.6k1558
31.6k1558
answered Dec 24 at 0:51
Dom♦
35.4k18101217
35.4k18101217
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Bonjour à toutes et bon courage pour votre réponse rapide dan les amis je suis malin plaisir beaucoup partner for xviiiim toujours encore j'adore tagstion de votre réponse
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yahaya is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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Bonjour à toutes et bon courage pour votre réponse rapide dan les amis je suis malin plaisir beaucoup partner for xviiiim toujours encore j'adore tagstion de votre réponse
New contributor
yahaya is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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Bonjour à toutes et bon courage pour votre réponse rapide dan les amis je suis malin plaisir beaucoup partner for xviiiim toujours encore j'adore tagstion de votre réponse
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yahaya is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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Bonjour à toutes et bon courage pour votre réponse rapide dan les amis je suis malin plaisir beaucoup partner for xviiiim toujours encore j'adore tagstion de votre réponse
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answered 11 hours ago
yahaya
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