Best Beginner Viola (Student Outfits Compared)
The best beginner viola for most students is the Stentor 1038 student viola outfit in 15.5 inches, a solid-wood outfit with bow and case that is sized for most teens and many adults. The Cecilio CVA-500 is the lower-cost 16 inch pick, and the Scherl and Roth Arietta and Yamaha AVA7 are the step-ups for a player who is committed.
Our top pick Stentor 1038 Student Viola Outfit, 15.5 Inch Hand carved from solid tonewoods with a spruce top and maple back and ribs, a wood bow and a lightweight case with music pockets. Under $300 Check price on Amazon Best Beginner Violas Compared
| Pick | Best for | Budget tier | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha AVA7-150SG 15 in Student Viola Spruce top, maple back, ebony fittings, 4 fine tuners | A viola to keep through high school and beyond | $1,000+ | Check price |
| Scherl and Roth Arietta 15.5 in Viola Solid spruce top, ebony fingerboard and pegs | A step-up that holds its value better than a kit | $1,000+ | Check price |
| Stentor 1038 Student Viola, 15.5 in Solid carved spruce and maple, bow and case | Most beginners, teens and adults | Under $300 | Check price |
| Cecilio CVA-500 Viola, 16 in Ebony fittings, 4 fine tuners, bow, case, rosin | Taller adults on a smaller budget | Under $300 | Check price |
Tiers show the Amazon price band at the time of the last update, not a quoted price.
Choose the Size First
A viola that is too big is the most common beginner mistake, because the instrument is measured by body length and few shops stock every size. A viola that is too large makes the left arm reach, tires the shoulder and spoils intonation. One that is too small sounds thin and cramps the hand. The usual guide is arm length from the neck to the middle of the palm, and a teacher can check it in a minute.
- Children: use a smaller size, or violin sizing with a violin until the child is ready. See the violin size chart and size chart by age.
- Teens and shorter adults: 15 to 15.5 inch violas, such as the Stentor 1038 or the Yamaha AVA7 in 15 inches.
- Taller adults: 16 inch violas, such as the Cecilio CVA-500.
Stentor 1038: Best for Most Beginners
The Stentor 1038 student viola outfit is the one we would start most players on. Amazon lists it as hand carved from solid tonewoods, with a solid carved spruce table and solid carved maple back and ribs, a blackened rosewood fingerboard and rosewood pegs, reliable wood bows and lightweight cases with an integral shoulder rest and music pockets. It is offered in several sizes, so match the size to your arm before you order. Stentor is a long-standing student brand that appears in school programs. It is a sensible first purchase that you can sell on if you move up. We compare the maker's violins on the Stentor vs Cecilio page.
Cecilio CVA-500: Best for Taller Adults on a Budget
The Cecilio CVA-500 is a 16 inch viola with a solid hand-carved spruce top, flamed maple back and sides, ebony fingerboard, pegs, chinrest and tailpiece with four fine tuners. The listing says it includes a Brazilwood bow with Mongolian horsehair, a hard case with pockets and a strap, a rosin cake, a bridge and an extra set of strings. For an adult who needs the larger size and wants a complete kit in the lowest tier, it is a straightforward choice. Plan for a check-up by a violin shop after it arrives, as the bridge and strings on any budget outfit may need adjusting.
Scherl and Roth Arietta: Best Step-Up
The Scherl and Roth Arietta in 15.5 inches is listed with a solid spruce top, maple back and sides, an ebony fingerboard and pegs, a composite tailpiece and a maple bridge. It is a student outfit at a higher tier than the kits above, and the price difference buys a better setup and better resale. Choose it when a student has played for a year or two and a teacher says the instrument is holding them back.
Yamaha AVA7-150SG: Best to Keep
The Yamaha AVA7 15 inch student viola outfit has a spruce top, maple back and sides, an ebony fingerboard, pegs, tailpiece and chin rest, four fine tuners and a maple bridge, according to its listing. It is the top tier on this page. It is the answer for a student in a serious program who wants a viola that will not need replacing for years.
Quick Comparison
| Viola | Size listed | Top and back | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cecilio CVA-500 | 16 in | Spruce top, flamed maple | Taller adults, low cost |
| Stentor 1038 | 15.5 in (other sizes sold) | Solid spruce top, solid maple back | Most beginners |
| Scherl and Roth Arietta | 15.5 in | Solid spruce top, maple back | Step-up students |
| Yamaha AVA7 | 15 in | Spruce top, maple back | Committed students |
What a Violist Needs Besides the Viola
- Rosin. See the best violin rosin guide; the same rosin family works on viola, but ask your teacher for the right grade.
- A shoulder rest or sponge, sized to the viola.
- A music stand and a tuner. The music stands and tuners guides cover options.
- A practice mute. A viola is loud in a small room; our noise level chart lists the quiet-practice options for strings.
Related Guides
Weighing viola against violin or cello? Read the violin vs viola and violin vs cello comparisons, the best beginner violin and best beginner cello guides, and the school band guide if the school has a string program. The beginner instrument cost chart shows what the first year of a string instrument costs.
Product notes are general guidance drawn from manufacturer and Amazon listings. Check the listing for size, what is included and return terms before you buy.
Sources
- Manufacturer and Amazon listing specifications: Stentor 1038, Cecilio CVA-500, Scherl and Roth Arietta, Yamaha AVA7
- Standard viola sizing, measured by body length in inches
- Amazon product listings, checked for availability when this page was updated
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best viola for a beginner?
For most beginners the Stentor 1038 student viola outfit is the best choice: solid carved spruce top and maple back, a bow and a lightweight case, in a 15.5 inch size that fits many teens and adults. Taller adults can look at the 16 inch Cecilio CVA-500.
What size viola should I buy?
Violas are sized by body length in inches. Most adults play a 15 to 16.5 inch viola and children use smaller sizes. The right size depends on arm length and hand size, so measure with your teacher or at a shop. Our instrument size chart by age gives the general bands, and the how to measure for a violin guide shows the arm measurement method.
Is viola harder than violin?
Viola is a little bigger, with wider finger spacing and a heavier bow, and music is read mostly in alto clef. The technique is the same family as violin. Many students find the lower, darker sound easier to live with than a violin's high pitch. See our violin vs viola comparison.
Should I rent or buy a beginner viola?
Many school programs and shops rent violas, and renting is the sensible way to find the right size as a child grows. For adults, a student outfit is a reasonable first purchase. Use our rent vs buy calculator to compare.
Can I learn viola on a violin?
A violin helps with the basics of holding and bowing, but a viola has thicker strings, a lower C string and different clef reading, so most teachers want you on a viola as soon as you commit. Some start on a violin strung with viola strings only as a stopgap, which is not the same as a viola.
What does a beginner viola outfit include?
An outfit normally includes the viola, a bow, a case and rosin. Listings differ: the Cecilio CVA-500 lists a hard case, rosin, bridge and an extra string set, and the Stentor outfit lists a wood bow and lightweight case. Check the listing for the exact contents.
Not Sure Which Instrument?
Take our free 2-minute quiz and get a personalized recommendation based on your child's age, interests, and your budget.
Take the Free QuizFree, no email required
