This is an introductory book that shows the first steps of learning how to play the viola. The book is organized with ascending level of difficulty into nine chapters; each chapter has a theme of different viola techniques or theory concepts. With author's own learning tips, each technique is usually demonstrated with concrete verbal explanation as well as photos and diagrams. Additionally, various kinds of pieces, ranging from popular tunes to scales, etudes, concert pieces are selected, adapted, or composed by author as exercises to demonstrate the concepts in each chapter.

As Mr. Ventre, head of the Department of Music, Choate Rosemary Hall said "This is indeed a very fine method for young violists, with wonderful instructional photos and a clear and precise text, which explains so carefully, creatively and eloquently every aspect of how to play the viola."

CONTENTS:

Chapter One Background Information and Skills

1.1 Sheet Music

1.2 Appearance and Mechanism of the Viola

1.3 How to Hold the Viola and Its Bow

Chapter Two Open String and Simple Fingering

2.1 Open String

2.2 Left Hand Fingering

Chapter Three Slur and Maintaining Fingering

3.1 Slur

3.2 Maintaining Fingering

Chapter Four Scale, Key Signature, and Accidental

4.1 Major and Minor Scales

4.2 Key Signature

4.3 Accidental

Chapter Five Dash, Staccato, Dynamic and Accent

5.1 Dash

5.2 Staccato

5.3 Dynamic

5.4 Accent

Chapter Six Triplet and Grace Note

6.1 Triplet

6.2 Grace Note

Chapter Seven Higher Positions and Shifting

7.1 Second Position

7.2 Shifting

7.3 Third Position

Chapter Eight Advanced String Crossing and Double-Stop

8.1 String Crossing

8.2 Double-Stop

Chapter Nine Review