So, you're interested in learning to play the viola? That's fantastic! You might have heard that it's really difficult and requires years of practice just to create beautiful sound. However, that's not true. Sure, if your aim is to become an expert with exceptional technical skills, it'll take 10,000 hours of focused practice with a top-notch teacher. But, you can learn to play the viola, produce beautiful sound, and most importantly, enjoy the process relatively quickly. All you need is a good-quality viola, the Learn Viola Fast method books, and a positive attitude along with a strong work ethic. Practicing a little bit but frequently will help you progress significantly. I know this method works because I've helped hundreds of students who now love playing the viola, have fun learning new music, and enjoy playing solo, in small groups, or in larger ensembles like youth and community orchestras.
To make this learning process effective, it's important to follow a specific order. First, you need to grasp some musical concepts and the mechanics of the viola so you can understand how everything works. If you skip this essential step, you might feel overwhelmed and frustrated when trying to learn more complex techniques like shifting and playing with flats and sharps, and you could even give up. I've seen this happen many times. This foundational knowledge is crucial for learning to play the viola well and quickly.
Each of the three Learn Viola Fast books contains detailed explanations, key highlights, visual diagrams, and quizzes to test your understanding. Images of specific steps and techniques visually demonstrate how to perform various tasks. When you understand the how and why behind each action, your body, hands, and fingers will more easily adapt to new and unfamiliar movements. Here's a summary of what you'll learn in each book:
Book 1 - Basics: You'll learn how music and the viola work, how to play simple songs, and how to understand music notation.
Book 2 - Right Hand: This book mainly focuses on using the bow to create beautiful sounds, altering sound to convey meaning, and playing with the second/middle finger.
Book 3 - Left Hand: You'll learn all about left finger placements, shifting, vibrato, chords, and more.
Are you prepared to learn one of the most enchanting instruments in the world? If so, join me on this exciting journey to learn the viola quickly!
