About Viola Lessons
No one is too old to learn to play the viola!! Of course the earlier the better, but even if you
didn't have the opportunity to learn when you were younger, it's not too late!
Beginning viola students are first taught to read music notation. I'm sure by now you've heard
of the Suzuki method where the child learns first by ear, and then learns to read music. If this
is what you're looking for, then I'm not the teacher for you. I do teach from the books, but I am
not a traditional Suzuki teacher. I believe that if a child can read simple words and count, they
can read music. Beginners are taught from the first book of the "EssentialElements 2000" series.
This book is the basic "how to" manual.
After the student has completed this book he or she is then "graduated" to the Suzuki series.
In the Suzuki books they will gain much of the technique required to play many styles of
music and join the school orchestra. I do not make any student memorize Suzuki pieces. The
student will memorize what they like or have to memorize. The Suzuki books are not the end
all, be all of my teaching, however. Like I said before, I want the student to also have fun with
music. Every student is encouraged to bring books, sheet music, and CDs (I can learn songs by
ear and teach them) of his or her choosing and interest. I also can recommend some great books
as supplements to Suzuki. I don't like to play from the same book all the time, so I don't expect
my students to either.
The main style I teach for viola is classical, because that is where they are learning the
techniques necessary to be a successful violist. I do like to add other styles such as Celtic
fiddle, jazz, blues, rock, heavy metal, and gypsy to name a few. Why? Because these days
classical string players, like violists, need to be more versatile than just reading notes from a
page (and it's fun!). For a list of books I use see the booklist.
This brings me to another thing that many viola teachers don't teach, and that's improvisation.
When one hears the word improvisation (or improv), one usually thinks of jazz. It is used
extensively in jazz music, but just about every style uses imrov- even classical. Classical? Yes!
Viola soloists generally have a solo or "cadenza" at the end of the first movement of a piece
(usually a concerto). An average violist will just play what's written in the music, but the great
violist will improvise at least part, if not all of the cadenza. This is also where the violist gets
to express his or her self in the music, more so than playing expressivly throughout the piece.
So, do I teach songs that the student learns by ear? Yes! However, they are not Suzuki songs
or pieces. I teach styles like Celtic or folk songs by ear because that is the way they were (and
still are) handed down from generation to generation. I do encourage memorization of these
songs because it is easier to play them in different keys like they may have to in a band or open
jam situation.
I try to prepare my students of both instruments for whatever they may run into in any type of
musical situation. From the different styles to overcoming stage fright, I feel any musician
should be prepared to handle whatever comes their way, and I help my students achieve that in
every way I can.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
To see what times I have available, view my Calendar.
didn't have the opportunity to learn when you were younger, it's not too late!
Beginning viola students are first taught to read music notation. I'm sure by now you've heard
of the Suzuki method where the child learns first by ear, and then learns to read music. If this
is what you're looking for, then I'm not the teacher for you. I do teach from the books, but I am
not a traditional Suzuki teacher. I believe that if a child can read simple words and count, they
can read music. Beginners are taught from the first book of the "EssentialElements 2000" series.
This book is the basic "how to" manual.
After the student has completed this book he or she is then "graduated" to the Suzuki series.
In the Suzuki books they will gain much of the technique required to play many styles of
music and join the school orchestra. I do not make any student memorize Suzuki pieces. The
student will memorize what they like or have to memorize. The Suzuki books are not the end
all, be all of my teaching, however. Like I said before, I want the student to also have fun with
music. Every student is encouraged to bring books, sheet music, and CDs (I can learn songs by
ear and teach them) of his or her choosing and interest. I also can recommend some great books
as supplements to Suzuki. I don't like to play from the same book all the time, so I don't expect
my students to either.
The main style I teach for viola is classical, because that is where they are learning the
techniques necessary to be a successful violist. I do like to add other styles such as Celtic
fiddle, jazz, blues, rock, heavy metal, and gypsy to name a few. Why? Because these days
classical string players, like violists, need to be more versatile than just reading notes from a
page (and it's fun!). For a list of books I use see the booklist.
This brings me to another thing that many viola teachers don't teach, and that's improvisation.
When one hears the word improvisation (or improv), one usually thinks of jazz. It is used
extensively in jazz music, but just about every style uses imrov- even classical. Classical? Yes!
Viola soloists generally have a solo or "cadenza" at the end of the first movement of a piece
(usually a concerto). An average violist will just play what's written in the music, but the great
violist will improvise at least part, if not all of the cadenza. This is also where the violist gets
to express his or her self in the music, more so than playing expressivly throughout the piece.
So, do I teach songs that the student learns by ear? Yes! However, they are not Suzuki songs
or pieces. I teach styles like Celtic or folk songs by ear because that is the way they were (and
still are) handed down from generation to generation. I do encourage memorization of these
songs because it is easier to play them in different keys like they may have to in a band or open
jam situation.
I try to prepare my students of both instruments for whatever they may run into in any type of
musical situation. From the different styles to overcoming stage fright, I feel any musician
should be prepared to handle whatever comes their way, and I help my students achieve that in
every way I can.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
To see what times I have available, view my Calendar.
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