Viola Course

Lesson 1 • Care and Maintenance Fundamentals

Establish daily and long-term care routines for the viola and bow. Proper maintenance preserves tone quality and extends instrument lifespan.

Lesson 2 • Selecting and Setting Up the Instrument

Choose an appropriate viola size and configure it for playability. Proper setup prevents injury and supports tone production from the first lesson.

Lesson 3 • History and Role of the Viola

Trace the viola's evolution from Renaissance string families to modern orchestral use. Establishes context for why the instrument's technique differs from the violin.

Lesson 1 • Body Mechanics and Injury Prevention

Apply principles of efficient movement to avoid overuse injuries common in viola players. Students learn self-monitoring strategies for long-term health.

Lesson 2 • Right-Hand Bow Hold

Form a flexible, balanced bow grip using the Franco-Belgian or Russian approach. The bow hold directly governs tone quality and dynamic range.

Lesson 3 • Standing and Seated Playing Posture

Align the body for balanced, sustainable viola playing in both positions. Correct posture reduces fatigue and prevents repetitive-strain injuries.

Lesson 1 • Basic Bow Strokes

Execute détaché, legato slurs, and staccato as foundational articulations. Each stroke serves distinct musical functions introduced through targeted exercises.

Lesson 2 • Dynamic Control and Tone Colour

Vary dynamics from pianissimo to fortissimo through bow variables rather than pressure. Students explore tone colour by adjusting contact point and speed.

Lesson 3 • String Crossings and Arm Levels

Navigate all four strings with fluid arm-level adjustments and minimal tension. Clean crossings are prerequisite for scales, arpeggios, and repertoire.

Lesson 4 • Bow Distribution and Division

Control bow length across whole, half, and quarter strokes in all bow regions. Efficient distribution ensures consistent tone through long musical phrases.

Lesson 1 • Finger Placement and Intonation

Place fingers accurately using auditory feedback and tactile landmarks. Reliable intonation in first position underpins all future positional work.

Lesson 2 • Reading Alto Clef in First Position

Decode the alto clef and map its pitches to first-position fingerings. Fluent clef reading is essential for all viola repertoire and ensemble playing.

Lesson 3 • Scales and Arpeggios in First Position

Play one-octave major and minor scales and arpeggios in first position. Scales integrate bow distribution with left-hand accuracy in a structured framework.

Lesson 1 • Connecting Positions Fluidly

Integrate multiple positions within phrases for seamless melodic lines. Fluid connection is assessed through musical context rather than isolated drills.

Lesson 2 • Third Position Fundamentals

Establish third position on all strings with reliable intonation. Third position is the most common shift destination in standard viola repertoire.

Lesson 3 • Principles of Shifting

Understand the mechanics of guide fingers, thumb release, and arm motion in shifting. Correct mechanics make shifts silent and accurate from the start.

Lesson 1 • Expressive Devices in Repertoire

Apply portamento, messa di voce, and colour changes within studied pieces. Expressive devices are practised in context rather than as isolated exercises.

Lesson 2 • Foundations of Vibrato Motion

Isolate the arm, wrist, and finger vibrato motions before combining them. Understanding each source enables conscious control of vibrato character.

Lesson 3 • Phrasing and Musical Line

Shape melodic phrases with intentional bow distribution, dynamic arcs, and agogic emphasis. Phrasing transforms technically correct playing into musical communication.

Lesson 1 • Ricochet and Thrown Strokes

Control the ricochet stroke for rapid repeated-note and multi-note groupings. Thrown strokes appear in Romantic and virtuosic solo literature.

Lesson 2 • Sautillé and Fast Passage Work

Execute sautillé as a rapid, self-propelled off-string stroke for virtuosic passages. Sautillé differs from spiccato in its reliance on bow momentum.

Lesson 3 • Spiccato and Off-the-String Strokes

Develop a controlled, bouncing spiccato from the natural bow bounce point. Off-the-string strokes add lightness and clarity to fast passage work.

Lesson 1 • Classical and Romantic Repertoire

Interpret Classical clarity and Romantic expressivity in major viola works. Students balance structural transparency with emotional depth in performance.

Lesson 2 • Practice Strategies for Repertoire

Apply deliberate practice methods to learn, memorise, and refine performance pieces. Structured practice accelerates progress and reduces error reinforcement.

Lesson 3 • Contemporary and Modern Works

Navigate extended techniques, graphic notation, and new tonal languages in modern scores. Contemporary repertoire expands the viola's identity as a solo instrument.

Lesson 4 • Baroque Repertoire and Style

Perform Baroque viola works with period-appropriate articulation, ornamentation, and bow style. Stylistic accuracy requires understanding rhetorical phrasing conventions.