Carol Ann Wheeler: Warm-Ups For The Violists Made Easy: Viola: Study

Big Note/Large Print-Warm-ups for the Violist is an adaptation of Warm-ups for the Violinist. It is targeted to help build strengthen and develop the muscles and techniques needed for viola playing. It is especially suited and created for the morecasual violist who is sincerely interested in getting maximum benefit from a minimum of effort. I first tested these scales and exercises on myself for six months faithfully using them for about 20 minutes as warm-ups to my dailypractice. I was rewarded with a definite improvement in my technique. I was actually surprised to see my dexterity grow as I charted my metronomic progress on a calendar. I remember thinking 'I will never be able to play fasterthan this.' But then a couple of weeks later I would indeed climb a notch higher!Through the years I have used these exercises in countless workshops and with private students. The letters of thanks and positive feedback fromstudents who were thrilled with improved violin and fiddle technique have brought me great satisfaction. Progress with these exercises is like the progress of a body builder. Body builders do not get up in the morning and think 'I am going to develop and build my muscles today ' and instantly look like Mr. Atlas. It takes weeks months and for some years to attain results. It must be done over a period of time. Like all diets and exercise programs determination and dedication are most important to success! I sincerely believe that these exercises when faithfully practiced will help violists improve their skills. The exercises will help develop and strengthen muscles usedfor finger dexterity clarity of notes tone bowing-arm control intonation double stops and a flexible bowing-arm wrist. A companion audio play-along recording is available online.