Chamber Music Excerpts For Practice-Naughty bits – those tricky passages in chamber music that appear out of nowhere and which can trip you up when it was all going so well even for the violist! The 'naughty bit' might be a passage in a high position possibly in the treble clef a tricky rhythm some awkward and unexpected accidentals or a run of fast notes. But wouldn't life be better if you had had a chance to practise those passages in advance? So here's the solution: a volume of those awkward Viola passages from Beethoven and Mozart String Quartets for you to practise so that you can play them already prepared for those 'naughty bits'. SJ Music also publishes NaughtyBits for cellists from Beethoven's quartets (U1990-2) Haydn quartets (U1989-4) and from quintets sextets and octets from the classical repertoire (U1992-8) and for 2nd violinists from Beethoven quartets (one volume: U1991-2)

Each etude in this book primarily tackles one element or technique of viola playing. String crossing playing vigorously near the point of the bow trills finger exercises and double stopping are just a few of the specific topics covered.

Music Minus One Viola-Schubert's seminal chamber composition the Piano Quintet in A major D667 commonly known as The Trout or Die Forelle is certainly one of the greatest pieces of music ever penned. Its rich textures and lovely melody create an unforgettable musical experience. Its celebration of nature's beauty stems from a summer trip in the Austrian Alps which inspired the young Schubert to rework a song into this complex chamber-piece. Composed of five alternating movements The Trout uses unique orchestration (substituting a double bass for the second violin) and gives special emphasis to the piano as well. But all the instruments take an equal role and this may also be a reason for thepiece's eternal popularity. The Trout instantly brings to mind the calm serenity of the summer mountain air and its sparkling melody and gentle poignancy leave a particularly happy feeling in both player and listener. It is a joy-filled piece but at the same time is filled with a serene quality that makes it one of the most exhilarating pieces for any musician to play and one of the most important compositions for any musician to learn. This Music Minus One edition gives you that opportunity in the comfort of your own home. Contains a high-quality printed solo part with informative liner notes and digitally remastered compact disc with accompaniments indexed for ease of practice. Accompaniment: Harriet Wingreen piano The Classic String Quartet

Shades IV by Naresh Sohal makes use of harmonies generated by the open strings of the Viola which are heard pizzicato at the opening of the work accompanying a bowed melodic line. This passage recurs later after a climax which sends the player to the highest reaches of the instrument and the work ends with all four open strings plucked simultaneously.

Otakar Sevcik-Contains exercises in: changing position without jerks scales over three octaves arpeggios on one string intonation changing positions with discreet portamento double stopping intervals and harmonics.

Viola Part for George Frideric Handel's Concerto Grosso In G Op.6 No.1. The Concerti Grossi Op.6 HWV 319-330 are 12 concerti for solo instruments (usually Violins and Cello) accompanied by a four-part string orchestra and Cembalo continuo. Originally published in 1739 they were written to be played during performances of Handel's oratorios and odes and are amongst the finest examples in the genre of Baroque Concerto Grosso.

A vast and effective collection of progressive studies in Melodic Double stops by Richard Hofmann. Double stops are performed by depressing and playing two separate strings together to form a dual tone and create harmonic interest. This is a fantastic volume for students and performers enabling either to further their ability by working from simple and uncomplicated lines and building up gradually to playing simultaneous melodic lines with double stops and also triple and quadruple stops known as multiple stopping. Hofmann’s Studies have been transcribed here for Viola by Alan Arnold.

Op. 131d-The rediscovery of the original manuscripts of Max Reger's works for violin viola and cello op. 131a-d represents a minor sensation. These late works for solo strings dating from 1914 and 1915 the last of which was only published posthumously were only known from the first printed editions until now and a scholarly-critical edition based on all the sources has long been desirable. The new edition from the Max-Reger-Institut now fills this gap.

20 Progressive Pieces with Piano Accompaniment-Philip Sparke’s Starter Solos is the first volume of a progressive series of books that takes the young string player from beginner to accomplished musician. Specifically tailored for each instrument this collection of 20 solos starts with pieces based on only a handful of notes and carefully introduces new musical elements such as articulation dynamics and key signatures in a structured progression to speed the learning process. The books provide invaluable additional material to complement any teaching method. Starter Solos comes with a play-along CD. The advantages of playing either with piano or CD accompaniment are that the beginning player can now experience theimportant aspects of ensemble playing from their earliest lessons thus developing the essential skills of listening while they play and maintaining strict tempo which is not always a factor when playing alone.

The arrangements are completely compatible with each other and can be played together or as solos. Each book contains a carefully edited part that is appropriate for the Level 2-3 player. The arrangements in the string instrument books, however, are not compatible with those in the wind instrument books due to level considerations regarding keys and instrument ranges. Titles are: Breakaway * Bridge Over Troubled Water * Everything Burns * Inside Your Heaven * The Notebook (Main Title) * The Prayer * To Where You Are * Untitled (How Can This Happen to Me?) * When You Say You Love Me * When You Tell Me That You Love Me * You Raise Me Up.

20 Progressive Pieces with Piano Accompaniment-Philip Sparke’s Skilful Solos is the second volume of a progressive series of solo books that takes the young string player from beginner to accomplished musician. Following on from the first book in the series Starter Solos this collection generally contains longer pieces suitable for the developing young musician. Specifically tailored for each instrument Skilful Solos introduces the concept of phrasing by suggesting suitable breathing points and takes the player into new keys with extended instrumental ranges new notes being introduced in a gradual and logical manner. Skilful Solos comes with a play-along CD. The advantages of playing either with piano or CD accompaniment arethat the beginning player can now experience the important aspects of ensemble playing from their earliest lessons thus developing the essential skills of listening while they play and maintaining strict tempo which is not always achieved when playing alone.

Bring the excitement of traditional Latin dance to the string orchestra with this collection. Explore the 'clave,' or rhythmic groove styles, such as the Merengue, Tango, Mambo, and others in a flexible format. All instruments have the melody, a harmony part, and an accompaniment/bass line. Easy hand percussion parts are included for the string players to perform or the optional drumset part can be used. The use of piano and guitar is recommended for authenticity but not necessary. All text appears in both English and Spanish. / Alto

A fresh approach-* An approach based on self-learning and recognition of rhythmic and melodic patterns. * Original tunes rather than abstract sight-reading exercises. * 214 carefully graded pieces in a range of musical styles. * Eight sections ranging from open strings to 3rd position. * Each section concludes with a set of duets and accompanied pieces for practice of ensemble sight-reading. * Tunes progress towards all key signatures up to three sharps and flats. * Preliminary towards grade 5.

in Various Combinations of Double-Stops-Written by world renowned pedagogue Roland Vamos this collection of double-stop exercises fills a void in the literature of technical exercises for violists.These etudes feature a systematic series of fixed double-stops that enable the player to practice and master every possible combination of finger patterns across two strings without shifting.Vamos says of the book ?The most important accomplishment is the development of a strong left hand... These exercises when practiced slowly and carefully will help to develop a keen sense of pitch and intonation.? Includes a DVD with performance examples.