Online Resources
http://imslp.org/
IMSLP stands for International Music Score Library Project. This website offers access to thousands of free PDF scores and parts. This is a fabulous resource for sheet music in the public domain. http://www.sharmusic.com/
Shar Music is the recognized string community market leader in the US, providing violin family instruments, bows, cases, accessories, strings and sheet music since 1962. A family owned business, Shar Music employs over 100 people in Ann Arbor offices and workshops. This is hands down the best quality online music store around. http://www.theviolinsite.com/
A very great resource for playing the violin, teaching, finding a teacher, and free sheet music. http://www.anvilmag.com/farrier/cntwywr.htm
Changing The Way You Work: The Alexander Technique The physically demanding work of the farrier presents unique challenges. It requires awkward stances, and along with the weight of the horse can put a tremendous strain on the spine. Great resource to stay healthy as a string player. |
http://sites.lib.byu.edu/piva/viola/
The largest repository of materials related to the viola in the world, including the Ulrich Drüner Collection of Viola Music. A violist's pantheon with legacies such as those of Harold Coletta, Paul Doktor, Karen Tuttle, Emanuel Vardi, Ernst Wallfisch, and the historians Maurice W. Riley and Franz Zeyringer. http://www.viola.com/practice-tips.htm
A wonderful compilation of practice tips from numerous viola players from around the world! http://violinmasterclass.com/
An amazing resource for violin techniques. Provides videos to demonstrate multiple different articulations |
Literature Review
Andrew Holmes
1. Robert Gillespie & Pamela Tellejohn Hayes. (1994) Essential Elements
for Strings: Book 1.
This is a very well-known and widely-used book that is used for beginning string
players. This applies to violin, viola, cello, and double bass. The book covers techniques such as instrument position and posture, fingerings, and bowings. It also introduces basic music theory terms and general historical knowledge of pieces and composers. As the students progress through the book, the level of difficulty increases. This is appropriate for elementary through high-school beginners.
2. Shinichi Suzuki (published 1999): Suzuki Viola School, Volume 1: Viola
The Suzuki books are categorized by individual instruments. They typically have 8-10 volumes each, ranging in difficulty from beginner to intermediate to advanced. The pieces are very appropriately laid out in each individual book to keep challenging the student as he/she progresses. There are very relevant exercises at the beginning and end of these books that shed light on technical problems that may arise such as articulations, string crossings, fingerings, scales, and arpeggios. I would recommend using this set of books for appropriate skill sets all the way from elementary to high-school.
3. Wohlfahrt (1970) Foundation Studies for the Viola, Book 1
Wholfahrt is an amazing resource for teaching the different positions. Book 1 focuses on first position, and includes 30 studies to challenge the student to be fluent in that position. There are duets included in some of the studies, which can be a helpful learning aid if the teacher plays with the student. The book is has useful pedagogical information regarding the first position. I would recommend this book to a more advanced beginner that is comfortable reading music.
4. Wohlfahrt (1970) Foundation Studies for the Viola, Book 2
The second book of Wohlfahrt focuses on shifting up to the third position. There are 42 studies covering first, second, and third position. As with book 1, book 2 also has pedagogical information regarding shifting and how to successfully move through positions. Each exercise isolates a certain position, and there are duets at the end of the book that incorporate multiple position changes. I would recommend this book to the intermediate student that has shown fluency in first position.
5. Paul Rolland (2000) The Teaching of Action in String Playing: Developmental and Remedial Techniques
This is an excellent resource for any type of technical problem that a student may be facing. Whether it be vibrato, posture, bow hold, elbow and wrist movement, how to play different articulations, this book has it all. It has clear and concise information as well as visual representations where necessary. This is a book that I would recommend to any teacher of violin or viola. It is appropriate for all ages and skill levels, as it never hurts to review the fundamentals.
6. Rudolph Kreutzer (1999) 42 Studies for Viola
This set of viola studies is wonderful for the intermediate to advanced student. It addresses many advanced techniques such as multiple string crossings, double stops, trills, finger replacements, articulations, and bowings that are conveyed in a melodic etude. There is an abundance of pedagogical information for both student and teacher. Many of the etudes have multiple sets of bowings and articulation combinations making
this ideal for fluency. I would recommend these to the high-school student that has the ability to play in positions up to 5th, and also has the ability to read in treble clef.
7. Madeline Bruser (1999) The Art of Practicing: A Guide to Making Music from the Heart
As a violist with a degree in performance, I am always interested in learning new ways to practice. It can be exhausting to be in a practice room for multiple hours playing the same thing over and over again. This book has enlightening anecdotes and techniques that are as inspiring as they are ingenious. It teaches you how to be efficient in your time management and how to perform with confidence. These are key elements of my performance career that need focus, thus making this book a must read and re-read for me.
8. Betty Edwards (2012 edition) Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
This book completely changed how I approached creating and thinking about art. Not just visual art, but even music. This book is filled with so much knowledge that has been beneficial for my success in music. Every time I read it I find something new. Everything from the anecdotes to the ingenious exercises meant to throw off your perception have really resonated with me. This book can be interpreted in so many different ways other than as an "art" or "how to draw" book.
9. Adam M. Crane (2006) Audition Mastery Guide
I plan to audition for a symphony orchestra in the future. I have always battled with stage fright and nervousness. This book is a comforting read in that it provides useful information on dealing with this topic. It has advanced visualization techniques that have changed the way that I approach a high stress situation, be it music related or not.
I like the contrast that this book has in comparison to the Madeline Bruser book "The Art of Practicing". Madeline's book has great practice techniques, but is some what lacking in the performance aspect. In contrast, Adam Crane's book primarily deals with performance anxiety and how to overcome them without the use of "beta-blockers"
for Strings: Book 1.
This is a very well-known and widely-used book that is used for beginning string
players. This applies to violin, viola, cello, and double bass. The book covers techniques such as instrument position and posture, fingerings, and bowings. It also introduces basic music theory terms and general historical knowledge of pieces and composers. As the students progress through the book, the level of difficulty increases. This is appropriate for elementary through high-school beginners.
2. Shinichi Suzuki (published 1999): Suzuki Viola School, Volume 1: Viola
The Suzuki books are categorized by individual instruments. They typically have 8-10 volumes each, ranging in difficulty from beginner to intermediate to advanced. The pieces are very appropriately laid out in each individual book to keep challenging the student as he/she progresses. There are very relevant exercises at the beginning and end of these books that shed light on technical problems that may arise such as articulations, string crossings, fingerings, scales, and arpeggios. I would recommend using this set of books for appropriate skill sets all the way from elementary to high-school.
3. Wohlfahrt (1970) Foundation Studies for the Viola, Book 1
Wholfahrt is an amazing resource for teaching the different positions. Book 1 focuses on first position, and includes 30 studies to challenge the student to be fluent in that position. There are duets included in some of the studies, which can be a helpful learning aid if the teacher plays with the student. The book is has useful pedagogical information regarding the first position. I would recommend this book to a more advanced beginner that is comfortable reading music.
4. Wohlfahrt (1970) Foundation Studies for the Viola, Book 2
The second book of Wohlfahrt focuses on shifting up to the third position. There are 42 studies covering first, second, and third position. As with book 1, book 2 also has pedagogical information regarding shifting and how to successfully move through positions. Each exercise isolates a certain position, and there are duets at the end of the book that incorporate multiple position changes. I would recommend this book to the intermediate student that has shown fluency in first position.
5. Paul Rolland (2000) The Teaching of Action in String Playing: Developmental and Remedial Techniques
This is an excellent resource for any type of technical problem that a student may be facing. Whether it be vibrato, posture, bow hold, elbow and wrist movement, how to play different articulations, this book has it all. It has clear and concise information as well as visual representations where necessary. This is a book that I would recommend to any teacher of violin or viola. It is appropriate for all ages and skill levels, as it never hurts to review the fundamentals.
6. Rudolph Kreutzer (1999) 42 Studies for Viola
This set of viola studies is wonderful for the intermediate to advanced student. It addresses many advanced techniques such as multiple string crossings, double stops, trills, finger replacements, articulations, and bowings that are conveyed in a melodic etude. There is an abundance of pedagogical information for both student and teacher. Many of the etudes have multiple sets of bowings and articulation combinations making
this ideal for fluency. I would recommend these to the high-school student that has the ability to play in positions up to 5th, and also has the ability to read in treble clef.
7. Madeline Bruser (1999) The Art of Practicing: A Guide to Making Music from the Heart
As a violist with a degree in performance, I am always interested in learning new ways to practice. It can be exhausting to be in a practice room for multiple hours playing the same thing over and over again. This book has enlightening anecdotes and techniques that are as inspiring as they are ingenious. It teaches you how to be efficient in your time management and how to perform with confidence. These are key elements of my performance career that need focus, thus making this book a must read and re-read for me.
8. Betty Edwards (2012 edition) Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
This book completely changed how I approached creating and thinking about art. Not just visual art, but even music. This book is filled with so much knowledge that has been beneficial for my success in music. Every time I read it I find something new. Everything from the anecdotes to the ingenious exercises meant to throw off your perception have really resonated with me. This book can be interpreted in so many different ways other than as an "art" or "how to draw" book.
9. Adam M. Crane (2006) Audition Mastery Guide
I plan to audition for a symphony orchestra in the future. I have always battled with stage fright and nervousness. This book is a comforting read in that it provides useful information on dealing with this topic. It has advanced visualization techniques that have changed the way that I approach a high stress situation, be it music related or not.
I like the contrast that this book has in comparison to the Madeline Bruser book "The Art of Practicing". Madeline's book has great practice techniques, but is some what lacking in the performance aspect. In contrast, Adam Crane's book primarily deals with performance anxiety and how to overcome them without the use of "beta-blockers"