Alternative Violin Family Instruments: Relative Sizes and Shapes of Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Range Instruments

This article, which includes a photo essay, is about the different “form factors” of various “alternative” or “non-standard” violin family instruments, all of which are made by Don Rickert Musical Instruments. With a few exceptions, the images in the photo essay part of this post are of actual instruments made in the workshop of Don Rickert Musical Instruments, located in Hiawassee, Georgia, USA by the hands of me (Donald Rickert).

The exceptions are as follow:

• Standard 4/4 Violin: This image is of a vintage (circa 1900) restored fiddle, shown as a visual reference.
• Standard Full-size Viola: This is a stock image, also shown as a visual reference.
• Full-size Cello: This is a stock image, shown as a visual reference as well.

All images are scaled to illustrate close to true relative sizes. The first column of images contains an image of a 4/4 violin to make visual comparisons of relative size easier, as most readers have a pretty good idea about the size of a violin.

With the exception of the stock images (4/4 Violin, Full-size Viola and Cello), NONE of these unique instruments are to be found in a modern orchestra. The Violoncello da Spalla IS becoming common in historically-oriented Baroque period ensembles, however.

Click on images for large views.

Standard Violin (4/4)	Travel / Backpacker Violin	5-String Violin	Octave Violin
Modern Full-size (16") Viola	Travel / Backpacker Viola	5-String Viola	Modern Tenor (tuned G2 D3 A3 E4) Viola
Violin size reference	Octave Viola (aka "Chin Cello" – tuned C2 G2 D3 A3)	Petite Violoncello da Spalla	Violoncello da Spalla

Do you wonder about what all of these alternative bowed instruments are for? See:

• Alternative Violin Family Instruments: What Are They For?

See also:

• Brief Descriptions for Various Alternative Violin Family Instruments

Contact Information

The web address for the “Cool Instruments for Hep Cats” video podcast is: @Cool_Instruments_for_Hep_Cats – https://www.youtube.com/@Cool_Instruments_for_Hep_Cats/podcasts

Don Rickert’s main website, ‘D. Rickert Musical Instruments’, is https://www.RickertMusicalInstruments.com.

Online store, ‘Don Rickert Musician Shop’, is https://www.DonRickertMusicianshop.com.

Don Rickert on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/donrickert. This link gets you to ALL of my detailed contact information, my websites and social media.

Email: don@donrickertdesign.com; doctorfiddle@gmail.com

Phone (in US): 706-896-0909 or 706-400-1481 (mobile)