Hello, I am new to the whole violin and viola thing. I actually play the piano. The thing is that I recieved a violin from my auntie who passed away, but although the violin is a beautiful instrument I would like the learn how to play the viola. So I was wondering if it was possible to take a violin and turn it into a viola? I mean I was doing research on the differences between the two instruments and I found that the only difference was the notes.
Do any of you know if it's possible?

LunaSirena

Violas are bigger than violins, and they have to be able to support thicker strings.

You can easily restring a violin as a viola. Just don't imagine it will sound as good as a real viola of comparable quality.

Liz

It's not just a matter of an inferior sound. The heavier strings can damage the violin, and the smaller instrument means you'll have a reduced range.

Sorry, but you are completely wrong on both counts.

Liz

This isn't arugument; it's contradiction: Don't just say I'm wrong; explain how.

Do you really deny that viola strings are thicker? Do you really think a violin can withstand any amount of pressure?

I suppose I worded the range thing badly. A non-fretted string instrument has a theoretically unlimited upper range, but there is a practical physical limit to division. I ought to have simply pointed out that your fingering will be thrown off when you eventually move to a real viola.

Over here in the UK, violins have been strung as violas for years - until fairly recently that was the only way children ever learned, and that applied right down to half size violins.

for me, when i was starting viola, i never playedf violin but i couldn't start on a viola coz it was too big for me. i used a violin restrung as a viola, which is possible, but i had problems with the c string, coz it never sounded good coz the instrument was big enough to hold it properly. does that make sense??
the sound quality of a viola is much better, and i expect ull want to change to a viola eventually if ur serious. also the whole alto clef thing could be a problem for u, i played piano before i started viola so i no what its like. just warning u.

The viola is not used for virtuoso melodies as much, but many viola players (For example, Primrose) have transcribed the music 5 notes lower, so it's the same music, but a perfect 5th lower at all times.
In eastern european countries, the viola is considered (one of) the main instrument(s), much as the violin is in most other cultures.
The sound carries futher than a violin, and of course, it can go deeper, and doesn't have as much of a tinge to it's sound (we do not have an "e" string, and possibly because the strings are larger as well, as others are saying in this thread).
My viola teacher thinks the viola is harder (than the violin), as you have to put more effort to shift, hold on to your instrument, and get the full sound out of it.