Theory for Strings Viola Book 1: A Music Theory Workbook

This workbook provides a priority-based music theory course designed to help string players learn how to read music as quickly and accurately as possible, while gaining a deeper understanding of the way the viola works and the "why" behind music theory concepts-all of which will be applicable towards more complex ideas as they continue their studies.

CONTENTS

HOW TO READ RHYTHMS

• Reading Rhythmic Notation in 4/4 Meter
• Clapping and Counting Quarter Notes, Half Notes, Whole Notes, 8th and 16th Notes
• Subdivision
• Dotted Rhythms
• Clapping and Counting Rests

HOW TO READ NOTES

• Musical Alphabet
• Note Locations on the Alto Clef Staff
• Steps and Skips
• Half Steps and Whole Steps
• Sharps, Flats and Naturals
• Explaining "Low 2" and Other Finger Patterns
• Locating any Note on the Fingerboard, in First Position

After completing, students should understand how to:

1. Subdivide, read, and write simple rhythms in 4/4 meter.

2. Understand key signatures and identify correct finger patterns for every string in a given key.

3. Locate any note on the fingerboard of the viola in first position, in keys up to 5 sharps or flats.