This viola method is intended for students from the age of 7. It is written in such a way that no specific musical prior knowledge is required. The method can be used individually and in group lessons.
Those who get to work with Viola World will discover how refreshing the new approach is. Every page brings a new surprise to the student. Students learn different things every time and not one page is the same in terms of content. The teacher will also be pleasantly surprised by the well thought-out structure in rubrics and their cohesion.
You will immediately notice that the student is initially not guided by notes but by playing assignments and that this method offers more texts, photos and fingering charts than other teaching materials. Only after a few months do students start with the musical notation. In addition to the book, the method includes a website. Demo and accompaniment tracks can be downloaded here, as well as demonstration videos and PDFs with accompaniment parts for viola and piano.
In fact, Viola World thus bridges the gap between traditional musical notation learning and learning by ear, as is the case in Suzuki education and in pop, jazz and folk music.
The following books by Dezaire is a stand-alone series, which, however, fits in well with Viola World 2 for the further development of viola playing
Volume 1 covers the four finger positions of the first position. The relationship between these finger positions and the different keys - up to and including three accidentals - is also discussed. The book contains 38 exercises for the different finger positions, 7 scale and triad exercises and 68 attractive playing pieces in various musical styles. The pieces can be performed with both CD accompaniment (found on CD1 and 2) and piano accompaniment. The piano accompaniments are in PDF format on CD 2.
Volume 3 is an instructive and pleasant introduction to the 3rd position for violists who have some playing experience. With 10 exercises and 27 pieces in different styles – with CD accompaniment – an excellent foundation is laid. This consists of being able to play the grip “whole-whole-half” on the 4 strings individually and on combinations of 2 adjacent strings. In addition, elementary position changes are discussed. To allow the student to concentrate on reading and playing in 3rd position, dynamic cues have been almost completely omitted. These can of course be added at your own discretion.
Volume 2 is an instructive and pleasant introduction to 2nd position for violists who have some experience playing in 1st position. It is not necessary to learn 3rd position before starting this book. With 12 exercises and 27 pieces in different styles - with CD accompaniment - an excellent foundation is laid. This consists of being able to play the grip “whole-whole-half” on the 4 strings individually and on combinations of 2 adjacent strings. Finally, in “Final Theme” all strings are combined. In addition, elementary position changes are discussed. In order to allow the student to concentrate on reading and playing in 2nd position, dynamic indications have been almost completely omitted. These can of course be added at your own discretion.
Position Shifts is an instructive and pleasant introduction to the different ways of changing position. The changes between the 1st, 2nd and 3rd position are systematically taught and applied in this book. With 22 exercises and 36 playing pieces in various styles - with CD accompaniment - you learn almost all possibilities regarding positions 1, 2 and 3. This book is a logical continuation of the books Position 3 and Position 2.
Positions 3, 2 & ½ is an instructive and pleasant introduction to the different finger positions as they occur in the third, second and half position. The book consists of three chapters and contains 14 scale and triad exercises in third and second position, as well as 3 exercises for the half position and 32 playing pieces in various styles - with CD accompaniment. This release is a logical continuation of Position 3 and Position 2, which lays a foundation for playing in third and second position. Positions 3, 2 and ½ go further in terms of the different finger positions and reading and playing skills. Position changes hardly occur in this book; Position Shifts was created for this purpose.
Positions 4 & 5 is an instructive and pleasant introduction to the 4th and 5th position for violists who master the first 3 positions. The book consists of 2 parts: first the 4th position is discussed, and then the 5th. With a total of 18 exercises and 32 pieces in different styles – with CD accompaniment – an excellent basis is laid, both for playing in the 4th and 5th position and for the combination with the first 3 positions. For a good concentration on reading and playing in the 4th and 5th position, dynamic indications have been almost completely omitted. These can of course be added at your own discretion.
