Imagine a bird that couldn't fit in your living room because its wings were too big. That's exactly what would happen if you tried to bring the Pelagornis sandersi home -- assuming houses and humans existed back then. Scientists have identified the fossils of what could be the largest flying bird ever found. With an estimated 20- to 24-foot wingspan, the extinct P. sandersi was twice the size of today's biggest flying bird, the royal albatross, according to the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center in North Carolina.
The viola is hundreds of years old. In fact, some reports say that it is the oldest of the string family. The viola has been utilized as a harmonic (as opposed to melodic) instrument by composers for hundreds of years. This is the main reason that people are less familiar with it than the violin or cello.
Or you haven't even played the viola? If you want to start playing the viola, there are some physical considerations for youngsters. The smallest violas that are available are 12 inches, which is about the same size as a half-sized violin. Students that are 8 or 9 should be big enough to play a 12-inch viola. Smaller violins may be strung with viola strings with some success, but the sound is usually lacking.