Play the Viola for Beginners
Edited by Toradze, VisiHow, JoshOwens130, I don't know the username but I can give you the email
- 1 Overview
- 2 Choosing the Instrument
- 3 Viola Parts
- 4 Applying Resin to the Viola Bow
- 5 Holding the Viola Correctly
- 6 Holding the Viola Bow Correctly
- 7 Tuning the Viola
- 8 Achieving Good Sound
- 9 Basic Fingering
- 10 Playing Multiple Strings
- 11 Playing the C Major Arpeggio
- 12 Playing the C Chromatic Scale
- 13 Questions and Answers
- 14 Comments
Overview
You're watching VisiHow. This is a set of tutorial videos on playing the viola.
Steps
- 1In the following presentations, we are going to be conducting tutorials about viola. Sophie will be showing different viola techniques in the next 33 videos, which will include tuning the viola, holding the bow properly, many expressions, such as ponticello, legato, staccato, and detache. At the end of the tutorial series, we will be playing a sample song that will help to identify all of the techniques and expressions that we have used in our video tutorials.Sophie, a Tbilisi State Conservatory student, will demonstrate how to play the viola.
- 2The tutorials are split into two large sections:
- "How to Play the Viola for Beginners" (this set of videos);
- "How to Practice Advanced Viola Techniques".
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about any of the videos, please leave these questions, comments, or concerns in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Viola for Beginners Overview
Choosing the Instrument
This is a video tutorial on how to buy or rent a viola.
Steps
- 1Violas can cost from something as low as a hundred to thousands of dollars. Make sure the viola you are purchasing or renting is in a good condition and all of the components are intact. The F holes should be in a good shape. The soundboard, the bridge, the strings, the fingerboard, the pegs, and different components of the instrument should be in a good condition.There are several types of violas out there with a large price range.
- 2You can check the instrument by playing it at a beginner level and then at an advanced level. You need to understand the tone, color, and sound of the instrument before making the final purchase. Please note that it is important both to play and to bring somebody who knows violas well, like a professor, to make your final decision.The most important thing to note is that you need an instrument with a good sound, resonance, and acoustical value.
This has been a video tutorial on how to select a viola for yourself. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about buying or renting a viola, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Viola for Beginners Choosing the Instrument
Viola Parts
This is a video tutorial on the anatomy of the viola.
Steps
- 1There is a fingerboard, where you put your fingers to play.A viola is comprised of several components.
- 2There are four different strings above the fingerboard.
- 3The body is basically one solid piece of wood. It has a front and back decks.There is a body of the viola.
- 4The decks have resonant holes and holes that define the tone of the sound.
- 5This is where you put your chin to keep the viola in place.At the bottom, there is a chin rest.
- 6At the top, there is a scroll and tuning pegs.
- 7You can put your shoulder on it.At the bottom of the back part, there is a shoulder rest.
- 8The shoulder and chin rests keep the instrument position.
This has been a video tutorial on parts of the viola. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about the anatomy of the viola, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Viola for Beginners Viola Parts
Applying Resin to the Viola Bow
You're watching VisiHow. This is a video tutorial on how to apply resin to the viola bow.
Steps
- 1Thus, it helps to protect the viola bow from damage while playing the viola.Resin is a substance made from tree sap that lubricates the bow.
- 2Apply resin to the horse hairs, also known as the ribbon. Taking resin out of its package and start to lubricate the bow from its bottom.A bow is composed of a frog, where fingers are placed, and a head, which is the end of the bow.
- 3Move up and down. First, in order to get it smoothly across the bow.Begin with a vertical motion.
- 4Do it thoroughly but gently. Apply the resin to each part of the bow in order for the lubrication to spread across the area evenly. Always Remember to resin your bow before you begin playing to help to protect the bow from damage of excessive playing.Then, begin working in sections by rubbing the resin.
This has been a video tutorial on how to apply resin to the viola bow. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns on how to resin the viola bow, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Viola for Beginners Apply Resin to the Viola Bow
Holding the Viola Correctly
You're watching VisiHow. This is a video tutorial on how to hold the viola correctly.
Steps
- 1Make sure that everything: the fingers, the hand, the wrist, the arm, and the shoulder are completely relaxed and free.To hold a viola correctly, make sure that your right arm is loose and that your right side is at ease.
- 2When you begin to lift up your arm, bend your elbow to a 90-degree angle. Have your fingers facing your eyes and flex the fingers a little.There should be no tension or stress in your whole arm.
- 3Ensure that all the fingers are relaxed. Now, pick up the viola and place the shoulder rest upon your shoulder. Remember not to lower your chin too much on the chin rest.This is the position in which the viola is played.
- 4The fingers should be relaxed. The fingers should be curled as if you are holding an apple. This apple would be upon the strings; so, bend your fingers.Place your fingers and flex them above the strings.
This has been a video tutorial on how to hold the viola correctly. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about holding the viola correctly, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Viola for Beginners Holding the Viola Correctly
Holding the Viola Bow Correctly
This is a video tutorial on how to hold the viola bow properly.
Steps
- 1This is the hand that holds the viola bow.Raise the right hand.
- 2The whole hand should be completely relaxed.
- 3Make sure that there is no stiffness in your hand at all before holding the viola bow.All of the fingers should be completely relaxed.
- 4Once you hold the bow, the fingertips of the thumb and the second finger should touch each other in order to create a ring.
- 5The fourth finger is placed at the top of the frog also to balance the end of the bow.The first finger is extended to balance the bow.
- 6Now, raise your left hand to imitate holding the viola. This is how you should play it.Remember to have not a completely firm hand and to be able to balance the bow properly.
This has been a video tutorial on how to hold the viola bow. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about holding the viola bow, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Viola for Beginners Holding the Viola Bow
Tuning the Viola
This is a video tutorial on how to tune the viola.
Steps
- 1You can tune a viola by using pegs at the top of the scroll or by using fine tuners below the bridge. Let's start with fine tuners below the bridge.There are two ways to tune the instrument.
- 2This is owing to the fine tuners being able to adjust the pitch only a half step higher or lower. But the pegs on the scroll of the viola adjust the pitch freely. They go whole steps.Adjusting the fine tuners below the bridge is the easiest way to tune your instrument if your instrument is a half tone down or a half tone up.
- 3If your viola is out of tune, use the pegs in order to tune the pitch of the string up or down.
- 4Most professional players use fine tuners to tune their instruments.The fine tuners is the easiest way.
This has been a video tutorial on how to tune the viola. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns on how to tune the viola, please leave them in the space below.
Video: Play the Viola for Beginners Tuning the Viola
Achieving Good Sound
This is a video tutorial on how to develop a good sound on the viola.
Steps
- 1Make sure your hands, head, neck, and shoulders are relaxed and free. Your body should be loose. Make sure that your feet are shoulder-width apart and that your shoulder blades are completely relaxed and free on your bow arm. Your bow arm should be very fluid and loose and have a certain type of freedom, as it needs this flexibility to bend and hold the bow and to play all of the different types of expressions. Don't press down on your bow too hard, or else it will make a terrible sound. You ought to have a good sound while playing. Listen to what you are playing. Remember not to press down onto your bow too hard, as it interferes with the sound. The pressure should be soft and light in order to produce a good sound. Your hand should be relaxed. It should not be stiff, and it should be very flexible. Also, vibration helps a lot.In order to create a good sound on the viola, there are several things you must remember.
- 2You can correct the pitch if the note is not in tune.Playing long tones will help you to identify the color and tone that you are making.
- 3They give the acoustic tone to the note, and you need to understand and feel this. Absorb this titanic information in order to produce better quality of sound. Let's try again.To make a good sound, feel the resonance through the F holes.
- 4The notes should be full, and they should be in harmony with one another in order to sound complete and well.
- 5To get a good sound, you must also have full control of your fingers and bow.
This has been a video tutorial on how to achieve a good sound on the viola. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about this tutorial, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Viola for Beginners Achieving Good Sound on the Viola
Basic Fingering
This is a video tutorial on how to apply basic fingering to the viola.
Steps
- 1Make sure that your fingers are relaxed and free. They should be curled up above the strings. Ensure that your thumb is loose, so it can move with the rest of your fingers.There are fifteen different positions, including half tones, on the viola.
- 2Use the same technique for every note.Ascertain that you press down on the note hard in order for it to ring.
- 3You should be firmly pressing down on the note.
This has been a video tutorial on how to apply basic fingering to the viola. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about basic fingering on the viola, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Viola for Beginners Basic Fingering on the Viola
Playing Multiple Strings
This is a video tutorial on how to play multiple strings and notes at the same time on the viola.
Steps
- 1You can build chords, octaves, or any other different types of accords. To play a chord or interval, place two or more fingers on the notes that you are going to play. Place the fingers firmly and remember to have your bow arm relaxed and to have your fingers curled in a proper hand position. Remember to press firmly down on the strings when you are using multiple fingers at the same time.On the viola you can play up to four notes on the instrument.
This has been a video tutorial on how to play multiple strings on the viola. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing multiple strings on the viola, please leave these questions, comments, or concerns in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Viola for Beginners Playing Multiple Strings on the Viola
Playing the C Major Arpeggio
This is a video tutorial on how to play the C major arpeggio on the viola.
Steps
- 1Let us play a three-octave arpeggio to demonstrate arpeggios on the viola. Remember to continue practicing to play your C major arpeggio perfect.This is an arpeggio starting at C that ascends from C to E, G, and C and goes back down again from C to G, E, and C.
This has been a video tutorial on how to play C major arpeggio on the viola. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing the C major arpeggio on the viola, please leave them in the space provided below.
Video: Play the Viola for Beginners Play the C Major Arpeggio on the Viola
Playing the C Chromatic Scale
This is a video tutorial on how to play the C chromatic scale on the viola.
Steps
- 1Remember to keep a good tone and color and to achieve a good sound. Let's begin.Play the C chromatic scale by ascending and descending in half steps.
- 2Continue practicing and making the C chromatic scale perfect.
This has been a video tutorial on how to play the C chromatic scale on the viola. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about playing the C chromatic scale on the viola, please leave them in the space provided below. Thank you for watching VisiHow!
Video: Play the Viola for Beginners Playing the C Chromatic Scale
Questions and Answers
How do you make an animal noises on the viola? I am wondering if You could give me how to do a donkey noise?
I can't find any site that has how to make an animal noise on the viola. if you give me one please give me a easy one. I am not very advanced yet. you could give my a cow pig or horse noise that you can play on the viola. I really want to know how to play a horse noise so can you please give me that noise. I would really appreciate it if you would please give me how to do that. I can't find any other sites that can give that info
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Article Info
Categories : Music
Recent edits by: JoshOwens130, VisiHow, Toradze
