The music theory for viola students on this page correlates with the Flipped Strings Viola Book 1 and the Flipped Strings Viola Apple iBook 1 with embedded media.
Navigating this page
Click on the topic you wish to view to go to that section of this page. Teachers, you can show the videos to your class and print as many of the PDF worksheets as you wish. Students, you can work through each of the lessons, print and complete the worksheets and then play each of the exercises on your instrument, so you better understand how not only how to write music for your instrument but also how to play what you have written. This might even lead you to compose and perform your own music.
Contents – click on the topic to go to that section on this page
- About the Viola
- The Alto Clef
- What are Open Strings
- 1. Writing & Reading Basic Note Values on Open Strings
- 2. Writing and Reading Rests
- 3. Writing and Reading Rhythm in Different Time Signs
- 4. Writing & Reading Rhythm – Barlines
- 5. Sharp Signs – Raising a Note by a Semitone
- 6. Writing & Reading Notes Using 1st Finger
- 7. Writing & Reading Notes Using 2nd Finger
- 8. Writing & Reading Notes Using 3rd Finger
- 9. Writing and Reading D Major Scale & Arpeggio
About the Viola
The Viola is the ‘middle instrument’ of the orchestra as it is in a register between the violin and the cello. It plays a very important harmonic part in ensembles such as the string quartet and also in the orchestra but has a beautiful tone as a solo instrument as well. Music for the Viola is written in the Alto Clef.
The Alto Clef
Music for the Viola is written in the Alto Clef. Let’s look at the notes on the lines and spaces of the Alto Clef.
About the Alto Clef
Drawing the Alto Clef
What Are Open Strings?
The very first thing we must learn about the viola is the open strings. What is meant by “Open Strings?”
An open string on any stringed instrument is when you draw the bow across the string without placing a finger on fingerboard to change the pitch. There are 4 strings on the viola – therefore there are 4 definite fixed pitches that we can play on the viola without having to use the fingers in our left hand.
Here is the video from the Flipped Strings Level One iBook – Viola, showing how we bow crotchets on the open strings of the viola.
1. Writing & Reading Basic Note Values on Open Strings
Click Here to Revise Note Values
Reading and Writing Semibreves or Whole Notes
Reading and Writing Minims or Half Notes
Reading and Writing Crotchets or Quarter Notes
Reading and Writing Quavers or Eighth Notes
Reading and Writing Dotted Minims or Dotted Half Notes
Free Download – Worksheet # 1 Open Strings
Teachers, you can download these free worksheets and print as many copies for your students as you wish.
2. Writing & Reading Rests
Writing & Reading Rhythms using minim or half note rests
Writing & Reading Rhythms using crotchet or quarter note rests
Writing & Reading Rhythms using quaver or eighth note rests
Writing & Reading Rhythms using a mixture of rests and notes
Free Download – Worksheet # 2 Rests
Teachers, you can download these free worksheets and print as many copies for your students as you wish.
3. Writing & Reading Rhythm in Different Time Signs
Writing & Reading Rhythms in 4-4 time
Writing & Reading Rhythms in 3-4 time
Writing & Reading Rhythms in 2-4 time
Free Download – Worksheet # 3 Time Signatures
Teachers, you can download these free worksheets and print as many copies for your students as you wish.
4. Writing & Reading Rhythm – Barlines
Placing Barlines in 4-4 time
Placing Barlines in 3-4 time
Placing Barlines in 2-4 time
Free Download – Worksheet # 4 Barlines
Teachers, you can download these free worksheets and print as many copies for your students as you wish.
5. Sharp Signs – Raising a Note by a Semitone
Using a Sharp to Raise a Note by a semitone
Using Sharps with Crotchets in a 4 – 4 Bar
Free Download – Worksheet # 5 Sharp Signs
Teachers, you can download these free worksheets and print as many copies for your students as you wish.
6. Writing & Reading Notes Using 1st Finger
Writing & Reading the 1st Finger on C String
Writing & Reading the 1st Finger on G String
Writing & Reading the 1st Finger on D String
Writing & Reading the 1st Finger on A String
Free Download – Worksheet # 6 Using 1st Finger
Teachers, you can download these free worksheets and print as many copies for your students as you wish.
7. Writing & Reading Notes Using 2nd Finger
Writing & Reading the 2nd Finger on C String
Writing & Reading the 2nd Finger on G String
Writing & Reading the 2nd Finger on D String
Writing & Reading the 2nd Finger on A String
Free Download – Worksheet # 7 Using 2nd Finger
Teachers, you can download these free worksheets and print as many copies for your students as you wish.
8. Writing & Reading Notes Using 3rd Finger
Writing & Reading the 3rd Finger on C String
Writing & Reading the 3rd Finger on G String
Writing & Reading the 3rd Finger on D String
Writing & Reading the 3rd Finger on A String
Free Download – Worksheet # 8 Using 3rd Finger
Teachers, you can download these free worksheets and print as many copies for your students as you wish.
9. Writing & Reading D Major Scale & Arpeggio
Writing & Reading D Major Scale
Writing & Reading D Major Arpeggio
Free Download – Worksheet # 9 D Major Scale & Arpeggio
Teachers, you can download these free worksheets and print as many copies for your students as you wish.
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