How to Play the Viola: 9 Steps (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

The viola is a fantastic instrument and learning to play it can be beneficial in many ways. First of all, in the musical field, knowing how to play the viola is a sign of intelligence and, for this reason, viola players are among the most sought after musicians for symphonies, orchestras, chamber ensembles and recording studios. In addition, universities love hosting musicians and may offer you a scholarship to play in the university orchestra. If you follow this article and take the time to learn to play the viola, you will be able to enjoy the fruits of your choice for years to come.

Steps

Step 1. Take lessons

Some schools offer a music program from elementary school. Many middle schools offer music lessons or, once you reach a certain age, you can consider enrolling in the conservatory. If your school does not offer a music program or if you are no longer a student, however, you can always take private lessons. Search for available teachers in your area. You could also buy a beginner music book.

Step 2. Learn the parts of the viola

• The main wooden part of the viola is the body;

  

• The oval-shaped piece of wood or plastic, brown or black, found at the bottom of the viola is the chin rest.

  

• The long thin piece, brown or black, of wood or plastic that is attached to the chin rest and is thin on the bottom and thick on the top is the tailpiece;

  

• The four colored circles, silver, gold or black, found on the tailpiece are the tuners;

  

• The holes on the front of the viola are the sound holes at f;

  

• The silver strings are the four strings of the viola;

  

• The light brown piece of wood that holds the strings near the bottom of the viola is the bridge;

  

• The upper part of the viola where the wood curves upwards is the upper branch;

  

• The long piece, black or brown, which is a few inches from the bridge is the keyboard;

  

• The long thin piece of wood where you hold the instrument, near the top and attached to the body, is the neck;

  

• The curved piece of wood on the top of the instrument is the head or hedgehog;

  

• The oval-shaped pieces of wood, brown or black, that protrude from the head are the tuning keys;

  

• The point where all the strings meet, near the tuning keys, is called the nocetta;

  

• The button is a small circle, brown or black, which is located on the bottom of the instrument, near the chin rest;

  

• Finally there are the sides of the tool.

  

Step 3. Get to know the parts of the headband:

• The long branch of various colors (it can be black, brown, red or blue) that is on the bow is called, precisely, a branch;

  

• The white hairs are the bow hair;

  

• The piece of rubber, usually black or brown, found at the bottom of the bow is the snail;

  

• The rectangle, usually black or brown, with a piece protruding near the bow hair, is called a frog;

  

• The piece that protrudes from the frog is the ferrule;

  

• The black and silver screws found at the bottom of the arch are the tension screws;

  

• The top of the headband is the tip.

  

Step 4. Grab the neck of the instrument with your left hand

Don't hold it too hard, but not too weakly - try to relax. Rest the chin rest under your jaw - even though it's called the chin rest, it actually has to be placed here. The chin rest should be on top of the instrument (use the diagram below to help you). Hold the tool parallel to the ground. Your wrist should remain straight and not pinched against the tool. Then turn the viola to its side.

Step 5. Learn the different techniques with which you can play the viola:

• To play the pizzicato just pluck the strings of the instrument: place the thumb of the hand with which you are not holding the instrument on the corner of the fretboard and pluck the strings with your index finger. If, on the other hand, you are playing in the guitar position (i.e. you are playing the instrument like a guitar, so that it is impossible to play it with the bow), you will have to pluck the strings with only your thumb.

  

• You can also play the strings with the bow: hold the bow with your right hand, placing it on the bottom with your thumb inserted into the ferrule; the middle and ring fingers are placed on the handle and on the frog, turned slightly towards the keys; the index finger, on the other hand, should be positioned on the silver part above the handle or on the handle itself, gently bending the bow; the little finger, on the other hand, must be positioned above the arch, on the top of the keys. Then place the hair of the bow on the strings of the instrument, in the space where the fretboard is not present, keeping them in the raised position; then position the bow by folding the hair sideways, turning it slightly towards the head. Lower and raise the bow keeping it as straight as possible to play the viola.

  

Step 6. Get to know the strings

The strings on the viola are, from left to right (from the thickest and lowest string to the thinnest and highest string):

• --------------------------------------- Su
• --------------------------------------- Sol
• --------------------------------------- Re

• --------------------------------------- The

  • In other words, the lowest and thickest string on the left is the Do, the next string is the G, then we find the D and finally the A, which is the last string, i.e. the highest and thinnest. The King is probably the most used string of all.

    

    Step 7. Learn the chords

    When taking lessons, you may want to ask your teacher to help you mark the finger positions with tape or stickers. If you prefer not to take lessons, buy an electric tuner. Play with the bow (placing it on the D) and with your index finger, staying a short distance from the finger of the instrument, until the tuner says it sounds like an E. Then move on to making an F, placing the middle finger a couple of centimeters from the index and playing the sound until the tuner says it sounds like a G. Attach the stickers in the right places, to remember the correct position to take.. The positions of the three fingers will correspond to those to be assumed on the King, only that they will be on a different string.

    • Below you will find the most common chords for the viola: {all those written in capital letters are suitable for a beginner; the notes in parentheses indicate the alternative name of the note).
    • A string: first finger (near the nocella) - B flat (A sharp)
    • FIRST FINGER - B natural (C sharp)
    • Second finger (next to the natural B) - Natural C
    • SECOND FINGER - DO DIESIS (D flat)
    • THIRD FINGER (a little above, about 1-1.5 cm from C sharp) - NATURAL RE
    • Third finger (a little above, about 1-1.5 cm from D natural) - D sharp (E flat)
    • D string: first finger (near the nocella) - E flat (D sharp)
    • FIRST FINGER - E NATURAL (F flat)
    • Second finger (near E NATURAL) - F natural (E sharp)
    • SECOND FINGER - F DIESIS (G flat)
    • THIRD FINGER (RIGHT NEXT TO THE FA DIESIS) - NATURAL SOL
    • Third finger (a little above, about 1-1.5 cm from natural G) - G sharp
    • Corda del G: first finger (near the nocella) - A flat (G sharp)
    • FIRST FINGER - THE NATURAL
    • Second finger (near E natural) - B flat (A sharp)
    • SECOND FINGER - B NATURAL (C flat)
    • THIRD FINGER (NEAR THE NATURAL SI) - DO NATURAL
    • Third finger (a little above, about 1-1.5 cm from C NATURALE) - C sharp (D flat)
    • C string: first finger (near the nocella) D flat (C sharp)
    • FIRST FINGER - NATURAL KING
    • Second finger (near the NATURAL RE) - E flat (D sharp)
    • SECOND FINGER - E NATURAL (F flat)
    • THIRD FINGER (NEAR THE NATURAL E) - FA NATURAL (E sharp)
    • Third finger (a little above, about 1-1.5 cm from NATURAL F) - F sharp (G flat)
    • Remember that there is no space in between for two fingers on C, G, D and A.
    • Remember that placing four fingers on the C produces a G, while four fingers on the G make a D. Four fingers on the D make an A and four fingers on the A produce an E.

    

    Step 8. Learn vibrato

    It is a matter of personal preference, but most violists tend to produce an arm vibrato. A vibrato with the arm produces a slower, richer sound, frequently used in the largo andante tempo. This way you will avoid looking crazy by frantically trying to make the string vibrate at 50 beats per minute.

    

    Step 9. Learn to tune the instrument yourself

    Some people think they will never succeed, but it is inevitable. You have to become able to recognize the courts and to know how to grant them. Be careful: tuning too tight due to a hard key to turn can cause the strings to break. Using the tip of a pencil to turn the keys can help loosen them. However, try to insert the tip ONLY into the tuning keys that need to be loosened. You can also use a lubricant on the keys, but be careful NOT TO GET ANY SUBSTANCE CLOSE TO THE PURPLE'S BODY, AS IT MAY BUCK A HOLE IN THE WOOD.

    Advice

    • Clean your instrument at least once a week, preferably every time you play. Rosin tends to dry out on the strings and instrument, become sticky and affect the sound if too much of it builds up.
    • Violinists who previously played the violin are used to the smaller measures and tight fingering, while real violists (who started with the viola) often use a larger viola (at least size 16). Be careful not to choose one that is too large, a size 17 may be excessive (and is typically used by large-bodied players).
    • The viola is larger than the violin, so it requires more effort to produce its distinctive, rich and deep sounds. Remember to press the strings correctly and position the bow correctly.
    • Violinists and violists play differently: on the violin it is necessary to keep the fingers raised, straight up or down; on the viola, on the other hand, it is preferable to keep the fingers inclined towards you, so as to play on the side of the fingers closest to the thumb.
    • Violets don't always use the key of G, which is the most common. They often use a treble clef. If you intend to continue playing the viola, it is advisable to learn the clef of G as well, since playing the viola is very common to find yourself changing clef suddenly.
    • It is very important to relax the left hand, thumb and fingers.
    • If your fingers can't cover the range from natural B to natural E on the A string, your instrument may be TOO big. On smaller violins and violas (15.5 or less) it is possible to reach these notes by bending the wrist (although it is not recommended), while on larger violas bending the left wrist can cause injury (such as carpal tunnel) and lead to developing painful syndromes. If you feel bad somewhere, stop and talk to your teacher. Prevention is the best way to avoid getting hurt. Never keep your wrist completely straight!
    • Make sure you have the right amount of rosin (rosin) on your bow - it varies for each player. Remember that it is better to have too much rosin than to have too little.
    • You can take violin lessons and still play the viola in an orchestra.
    • Many violists began by playing the violin. It may be easier to start with the violin and move on to the viola, but in that case remember to take lessons from a violist, or you will continue to play like a violinist and hurt your wrist. Violinists may choose to switch to the viola because they were advised by their teacher, because a violist was needed, because their hands are too big for the violin, or because they simply prefer the viola.
    • Even if you are a violinist, it is advisable to know how to play the viola. The same goes for a violist with regard to the violin.

    Warnings

    • People will confuse your viola with a violin. Correct them politely.
    • One of the most common misconceptions is that violists are less good than violinists. This is not true at all, quite the opposite: even though both are equally capable from a technical point of view, violists tend to be more adept at the harmonic level.
    • When talking to a non-player about the instrument you play, be prepared to explain what a viola is.
    • If you find yourself playing in a youth orchestra, expect to be in a small group (or be the only violist).
    • The sound made by a viola can be very loud - people might complain. A silencer can help in this type of situation.
    • Musicians like to make jokes about the viola and who plays this instrument. Don't be discouraged.