Assignment 20: How to...Keionna Bailey

How to play the Viola.
1. Realize that the Viola and Violin are two different instruments.
2. Acquire a shoulder rest or another device like a sponge so that the viola is comfortably positioned on your chest.And  place your chin on the chin rest.
3. Sit on the edge of your seat with a straight back. No slouching.
4. Hold the viola in your left hand your bow in your right hand.
5. Put the viola on your left chest with the neck of the viola positioned in between your thumb and index finger.
6. Make sure your left forearm is positioned so that you reach different points along the fingerboard.
7. In order for you to make music you must put rosin on the bow or it won't play.With the bow in your right hand, place your index, middle, ring, and pinkie on top of the bow with your thumb in between the top of the bow and "frog". Make sure the bow hairs are not too tight and the bow is not too straight because it will snap. It should have a little dip like in the picture below
8. Do not grip the bow tightly you should grip it loosely.
9. Names of the strings from thinnest to thickest. A, D, G, C.
10. The music is in alto clef for violas.
11. Make sure your nails are cut short so you're able to grip the strings.
12. If you place one finger on the A string that is a B, 2 fingers C, etc.
13. Make sure the instrument is in tune using the fine tuners and tuning pegs as necessary.
14. You can pluck the strings in the area towards the end of the fingerboard or you can glide the bow across the strings in the air between the bridge and fingerboard. Clean this area often so that rosin is not caked on the strings.