Beginner Violas

At Antonio Strad, our beginner violas are hand-made with well-aged wood and professionally set up here in San Antonio, TX. That means the instrument plays well and stays in tune. A good sound will encourage you to play more. And the more you play the better you’ll get.

We’ll provide you with everything you need to succeed with our beginner viola outfits, so there are no roadblocks to beginning your viola journey. Expect a hand-carved French bridge, and quality, durable strings to accompany every instrument, for a clear tone without sacrificing playability or an affordable price.

All of our beginner violas include free shipping, easy 45-day returns, and the Antonio Strad 100% satisfaction guarantee. Take a look at our selection below, or get in touch if you would like a hand in choosing the best beginner viola for you.

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Beginner Viola FAQs

What are the best violas for beginners?

For a beginner, violas with ease of play and a clean, quality sound are best. If a beginner instrument sounds great and provides no obstacles to playing and learning, you’ll want to play more, and the more you play the better you’ll get!

What things should I look for when buying a beginner viola?

Finding a handmade instrument should be your priority. Handmade violas are of higher quality and therefore sound better than factory-made instruments. Additionally, beginner violas that are handmade are crafted intentionally for new violists by an experienced luthier. That means handmade beginner violas are easier to start playing on.

I’m not sure I can afford a fancy handmade instrument. What do I do?

Don’t worry, our beginner violas come at a variety of price points to help make viola playing accessible for everyone. Also, keep in mind that buying a viola is an investment, both into your own playing — because starting on a quality instrument means you’ll play more and start off as a stronger player — and financially, because you’ll get a lot more, for longer out of a quality viola. If the cost is still a concern, we at have a variety of renting options for violas of all levels, to further make picking up the viola affordable.