Viola Tutorials - Mark Pedus' Violin and Viola practice manual

CHAPTER 1: STRAIGHT BOWING EXERCISES

This chapter contains 9 progressive playlist to practice straight bowing, string changes and basic rhythms. It finishes with slurring across strings and double stopping.

The first six exercises were composed by Nicolas Laoureux. The last one was originally written by Charles de Beriot and edited by me.

Before you begin

Basics of bow hold

Exercise 1: Introduction exercises on Straight Bowing

Exercise 2: Smooth Bow Changes

Exercise 3: The Quarter note

Exercise 4: The 1/8th note

Exercise 5: The 1/8th note and complex string crossings

Exercise 6: The Legato

Exercise 7: Double Stopping

Chapter 1 playlists

Sheet music chapter 1

CHAPTER 2: INTRODUCING BASIC FINGER PATTERNS

Here I offer 6 playlists where I slowly introduce each of the basic finger patterns one note at a time. The last finger pattern comes with two different versions. One starting with a low first finger and one with the normal first finger.

These exercises are a development of an exercise from Méthode de violon, Op. 102 by Charles de Beriot. They have been adapted to cover the four basic finger patterns:

Preparatory exercises

Introducing the First Finger Pattern
Tone – Semi-tone – Tone

Introducing the Second Finger Pattern
Semi-tone – Tone – Tone

Introducing the Third Finger Pattern
Tone – Tone – Semi-tone

Introducing the Fourth Finger Pattern
Tone – Tone – Tone

chapter 2 playlists

Sheet music chapter 2

CHAPTER 3: SCALES IN FIRST POSITION

Charles de Beriot wrote 18 duets for student and teacher to help his students with their scales. He limited himself to the most common Major and Melodic Minor scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats.

The duo parts make it easier to improve intonation and it develops musicianship at the same time in a more relaxed way. Now scales are no longer so boring!

Chapter 3 playlists

sheet music chapter 3

Sheet music chapter 3 - with note names

CHAPTER 4: THE INTERVALS

Until now all exercises went step-wise up or down. All you had to worry about was if the distance is a tone or a semi tone.

Here I present 8 progressive playlists that will teach you how to play larger intervals. Two little pieces by Nicolas Laoureux have been included to see how your new skills allow you to make beautiful music.

Once you master this chapter, you are well prepared to finally begin your first real pieces! Enjoy!

THE THIRDS: Exercising Thirds across all four finger patterns

THE THIRDS: Exercising Thirds with String Crossings

Intervals in Practice – Dance by N. Laoureux

THE FOURTHS: Exercise on placing Fourths

Intervals in Practice – N. Laoureux

THE FIFTHS: Exercise on Diminished Fifths

THE FIFTHS & SIXTHS Introducing the sixths and exercise on placing fifths

THE SEVENTHS & OCTAVES Introducing the 7ths, Octaves and Arpeggios

chapter 4 playlists

sheet music chapter 4

Sheet music chapter 4 Landscape

PIECES IN FIRST POSITION

On this page you will find the list of repertoire in first position. Each piece will link to an individual page that will offer the playlist for the piece and a few essential supporting foundation exercises.

I have grouped the repertoire by method so it is easier to navigate.

Thank you all for helping out!

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