Viola Practice
The key to learning to play the viola efficiently is concentration, patience and repetition. Muscle memory can't be rushed, and knowing how something should be is very different to actually doing it.
This sounds obvious enough of course, but playing a string instrument requires you to do several independent things at the same time. Unfortunately you can only concentrate on one issue at a time, so straight bowing with a relaxed right hand has to happen without concentrating on it before you can add the left hand. A relaxed left hand with a beautiful sound is required before you can start worrying about intonation, or rhythms, or reading music while you play, etc.
My point is, when you get something right, don't assume you know it. Repeat it a few times a day for a week or so, until it is always right and beautiful before you move on to the next challenge. Rushing your foundations slows you down massively in the long run.
I am aware, everyone is different, learns at a different pace and patience isn't an infinite resource for kids or adults alike, so make sure you balance discipline with fun. Don't get bogged down in searching for perfection, but do make sure every day you feel like something became easier, something became more beautiful or something became faster.
Set yourself tiny manageable goals and spend at least the first half of your practice time on foundation exercises so you can enjoy your pieces more. A piece is just a piece, but a solid technique will help you enjoy music for a life time!
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Suzuki Method |
My Method |
ABRSM |
Trinity |
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How to hold the viola |
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How to hold the bow |
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CHAPTER 1: Introduction to straight bowing |
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Exercise 1: |
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Exercise 2: Practice smooth string changes |
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Exercise 3: Introduction of ¼ note (crotchet) and varying bow speed |
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Exercise 4: Intruduction of the 1/8th note (quaver) and varying bow length |
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Exercise 5: Combining changes of rhythms and strings |
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Exercise 6: Legato: multiple notes per bow |
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Exercise 7: Double stopping |
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CHAPTER 2: Introduction of the left hand and finger patterns. |
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Finger Pattern : Tone – Semitone - Tone |
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First finger |
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Second finger |
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Third finger |
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Fourth finger |
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Finger Pattern: Tone – Tone – Semi tone |
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First finger |
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Second finger |
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Third finger |
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Fourth finger |
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Finger Pattern: Semi tone – Tone - Tone |
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First finger |
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Second finger |
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Third finger |
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Fourth finger |
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Finger Pattern: Tone – Tone - Tone |
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First finger |
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Second finger |
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Third finger |
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Fourth finger |
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Practicing round fingers on the left hand (part 1) |
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Practicing round fingers on the left hand (part 2) |
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Scales for 2 violins |
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C Major |
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a minor |
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G Major |
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e minor |
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D Major |
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b minor |
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