10 Exercises to a Better Left Hand

World-renowned soloist and Professor of Viola at University of California, Santa Barbara and The Colburn Music Academy, Helen Callus presents her comprehensive, multi-point system of creating a solid foundation for left-hand technique. One-Step Scale System for Viola contains insights that Callus has used with her students for the past twenty years. The thorough system has been refined and rewritten to create a trim but thorough program for all ages – from the early student to the advanced. Scales, double-stops, intervals and other musical aspects are examined with the goal of achieving mechanical/technical flexibility one needs before studying a piece. A welcome addition to the study of viola that will remain with each student as they grow.

Contents:

• Preface
• About Helen Callus
• Introduction
• Part 1 – Single Notes
• Part 2
• A. Double Stops in Seconds
• B. Double Stops in Thirds
• C. Double Stops in Fourths
• D. Double Stops in Sixths
• E. Double Stops in Sevenths
• F. Double Stops in Octaves
• Part 3
• A. Interval Leaps: Single Notes
• B. Interval Leaps: Double Stops
• Part 4
• A. Whole-Tone Scales: Single Notes
• B. Whole-Tone Scales: Double Stops
• Part 5 – Tonal keys: Single Notes
• Part 6 – Double-Stop Tunes
• Part 7 – Walking Sixths and Eighths
• Part 8
• A. Sequences of Scale-Like Single Notes
• B. Sequences of Scale-Like Double Notes
• Part 9 – Optional Bowing Variations for Parts 1, 2, 4 and 5
• Part 10 – Create Your Own Exercises