Reverse viola jokes: violists get their revenge

Viola players are traditionally the butt of musical jokes – and we’re guilty of a chuckle at their expense too. But we think it’s time for viola players to get their own back. Here are some of our favourite reverse viola jokes.

1. Violinists

Why are viola jokes so short? So violinists can understand them.
2. Violins

Why are violins smaller than violas? They're actually the same size – it's the violinists' heads which are larger.
3. Soprano

If you threw a violist and a soprano off a cliff, which one would hit the ground first? The violist. The soprano would have to stop halfway down to ask directions.
4. Alto clef

What's the difference between the alto clef and Greek? Some conductors actually read Greek.
5. Conductor and viola

A violist and a conductor walk in front of your car and you cannot avoid them both. Which do you hit? The violist. Business before pleasure.
6. French horn

How do you get your viola section to sound like the horn section? Ask them to miss every other note.