From Violin to Viola: Another String to Your Bow E-Book

Paul Harris

• Herausgeber: Faber Music Limited
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 23

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

The full eBook version of From Violin to Viola: Another String to Your Bow in fixed-layout format. From Violin to Viola: Another String to Your Bow is the essential guide for violinists making the transition to viola. Aimed at intermediate violinists and above, the book guides players through their first steps on the viola, covering essential topics such as reading alto clef, adjusting bow hold, developing a good sound, string crossing, vibrato and shifting. Devised by leading educators Jessica O'Leary and Paul Harris, this practical method includes carefully selected exercises, studies, solos and duos that reinforce skills and build confidence along the way. Whether you are switching to viola or simply expanding your skillset as a violinist, this book provides all the tools you need to add another string to your bow!

Leseprobe

© 2025 by Faber Music Ltd

This edition first published in 2025

Brownlow Yard, 12 Roger Street, London WC1N 2JU

Cover desgin by Chloe Alexander

Text design by Liz Ogden

Music processed by Donald Thomson

Printed in England by Caligraving Ltd

All rights reserved

ISBN10: 0-571-54349-9

EAN13: 978-0-571-54349-6

To buy Faber Music publications or to find out about the full range of titles available

please contact your local music retailer or Faber Music sales enquiries:

Faber Music Ltd, Burnt Mill, Elizabeth Way, Harlow CM20 2HX

Tel: [phone]

fabermusic.com

Thanks to the violin students from Eltham College (who now also play the viola!) and to the

various Heads of Strings who were so helpful during the conference in Birmingham.

Did you know...

The phrase ‘another string to your bow’ is not actually related to string playing but

originated from medieval archery practice. Archers carried spare bowstrings, so if one

broke, they’d have a backup to continue. By the 1600s, the idiom meant having an

additional skill, like playing the viola as well as the violin!

Introduction

4

Stage 1

7

Getting started

Stage 2

10

Reading the viola clef

Stage 3

13

Reading in D major

Stage 4

15

Rotating arms and placement of the left-hand 4

th

finger

Stage 5

17

Intervals

Stage 6

21

Control of the top and bottom strings

Stage 7

23

Vibrato

Stage 8

25

Treble clef, more shifting and high notes

Stage 9

29

Playing chromatic notes, pizzicato and double stops

Stage 10

33

What’s next?

Contents

4

Introduction

Why playing the viola is a good idea

•

The viola’s sound quality is very special! It is really beautiful and vibrant, and because

the instrument is often larger than a violin it has a deeper (literally lower), richer tone.

•

Playing the viola will make you a more flexible and useful musician – you will be able to

play first violin, second violin or viola.

•

There will be more opportunities to play in chamber music ensembles, which will help

you to develop a better understanding of inner parts in ensembles and orchestras.

•

You will be able to play violin and cello repertoire on your viola, for example all those

wonderful unaccompanied Bach works.

•

Being a viola player may also give you a greater chance of securing school or

conservatoire scholarships as there are fewer viola players about! And because you play

the less common viola, there are more chances to play in advanced groups. Sometimes

schools may be willing to buy a viola and loan it out.

The great violinist and teacher, Jascha Heifetz, encouraged all his violin pupils to play

the viola too, and playing both instruments is standard practice in several music schools,