Viola method books

February 8, 2009 at 08:43 PM ·

What about beginning adult for viola? Any suggestion?

Thank's!

February 8, 2009 at 10:24 PM ·

When I was about that age, my teacher had me using the Wolfhart Etudes, some basic 1-2 octave scales, and Solos for the Viola Player by Paul Doktor.

February 9, 2009 at 04:40 AM ·

When I switched to viola my teacher mostly had me work through the Suzuki books.  It was hard!  Some of the pieces I knew by ear so I could blast through them.  When she knew I already knew the piece, we worked on technique a lot.  Like learning to put more weight in the string in order to rip out that nice viola sound.  By book four the books branch away from the violin books so I was actually forced to sight read alto clef.  It was ugly for awhile.

February 9, 2009 at 05:57 AM ·

Bowing is definitely much more of a challenge on viola vs. violin, not to mention learning to read alto clef if it is not the first clef learned.  The left hand and fingers are also much more extended than on violin, which makes finger exercises that much more important.

February 9, 2009 at 02:42 PM ·

if it's any help, a poster at another board tried to put together a complete list of viola etudes

February 9, 2009 at 02:49 PM ·

 Look at "Solos for Young Violists" by Barbara Barber.

February 11, 2009 at 09:31 PM ·

Solos for Young Violists is an excellent book.  Might be a little advanced though if you're trying to read alto cleff for the first time.

February 12, 2009 at 12:40 PM ·

Yeah, I think even book I of "Solos for Young Violists" is probably for people who have been playing for a couple of years (or who are coming from a background on the violin already, as I was), but it is a graded series up to 5 or 6 and it has useful info in the front cover about what you need to be able to do to play the pieces in the book. The only beef I have is with the title.  I think non-young adults can enjoy it too.

April 9, 2009 at 07:19 PM ·

Even though I am an adult beginner, my instructor put me in a book called 'ALL ABOUT STRINGS' for viola.  It literally saved me, because if it wasn't for all the nice little pictures and breakdown of the Alto Clef, I'd have probably dropped out from frustration.

April 11, 2009 at 03:21 AM ·

you know...maybe just try carl flesch?  It is of course advanced, and includes things like 8vas, 10ths etc, but you don't have to do all of them.  The basic scales can never hurt anyone to start the 3 8va scales, or even just work on the 2 8vas.  Scales are so eye opening and you can really focus on technique and such of course.  Also, a super beginning student could practice shifting and bow patterns by working like this.  Plus then you get an all purpose book, shifting, bowing, finger placement, everything without having to get separate books, and you can grow into the book.  I have trouble with beginning viola books too because I play both, but have played violin for 13 years before viola haha.  best of luck!

May 10, 2009 at 01:11 AM ·

For true beginners on viola, I use the ABCs of viola, by Janice Tucker Rhoda.  As soon as possible, I add the Hofmann First Studies (opus 86) and some simple repertory, such as First Repertoire for Viola (Faber Music), or the Doktor solos.   Then a scale book, such as the Paxton one (published by Novello).  Later I use the Wohlfahrt studies, and move on to Whistler's Introducing the Positions.  More advanced repertory can follow later on.

May 10, 2009 at 01:17 AM ·

In 2 Words-Drew Lecher!!!!!!  Go to his web sight!  He has a book that will teach you how to master the viola.

May 10, 2009 at 02:30 PM ·

I am not satisfied with anything I've looked at to help violists study treble clef and playing in positions. Shifting is a different issue for young violists, especially girls with small frames or narrow shoulders. My girls have very nice-quality small violas with wide lower bouts, which certainly helps, but weight & balance are still concerns. Sue

May 11, 2009 at 12:30 AM ·

My favourite tutorial book is "String Explorer".  It is nicely paced, has an interactive web site and a CD.  The activity pages are very interesting and the first piece is an open string pizzicato blues with acccompaniment which is quite captivating for the young kids. Actual music notation is started relatively early on which I know can be a thorny issue.  The only drawback are the cartoon style illustrations which look a bit like "Raiders Of The Lost Ark". The teacher manual is also very helpful if you are in a class situation. 

Kids love working through a book rather than being given lots of bits and pieces and I suppose any method book will do. I used to like the tunes in the Eta Cohen books but the typeface seems very dated these days. "Tune A Day" is similar and I dislike all those silly photos of how not to hold the bow or the instrument!  In general, keep in mind that every student has slightly different needs as I am sure you already know.

The Barbera Barber books ("Solos For Young Violists..." ) are really well edited and the discs are great (she is a good player on violin and viola) but I agree they are for more advanced players. I like the material that is in the Suzuki books but I don't like the editing at all and for that reason tend to steer clear of these.  I have heard that the violin books have been re-done.  The subject of editing and Suzuki has, I think, been talked about in previous posts.

Try the great early string music series from Boosey's that is edited by Sheila Nelson. Stepping Stones; Waggon Wheels; Fast Forward and Shooting Stars from this series are all written by Katherine and Hugh Colledge.  They begin in order with "Stepping Stones" and can be introduced early on as an adjunct to a tutorial book .  They are lovely pieces to learn, the piano parts are easy enough for even my terrible playing on that instrument and they are well paced that with a modicum of work a new song can be set after every lesson.

 Look also at "Jazzin' Around" for strings by Kerin Bailey (a local jazz composer in Adelaide). www.kerinbailey.com . They are easy - intermediate and provide great material for concerts as well as having a disc included.  

January 16, 2016 at 03:38 PM · Check out "Start Right Series" by Victoria Voronyansky. It's a great resource for teachers, parents involved in lesson/practice and adult beginners. PDF's can be purchased on her website at www.redviola.com, click on "Shop" tab and scroll down to the bottom of the page.

Hope this helps! :)

January 16, 2016 at 05:29 PM · If you want a key-based approach vs. positions you may contact me through theWholeString.com The site also has an outline of violin technique on my Youtube Channel at the HOW tab and info re SURE START at WHEN. Yes it is Violin info but I, for one, find that it applies to the viola. Don't forget that Nobuko Imai studied violin first!