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ABCs of Viola for the Absolute Beginner Course

Cambridge Center for Adult Education
42 Brattle Street, Harvard Square
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Instructor: Nami Hashimoto

Have you always wanted to play the viola but thought it too difficult? Or have you previously studied viola and wish to take it up again? Have fun playing popular folk, classical, fiddle tunes and duets, while focusing on correct posture, basic music reading and rhythm. We will work on the ABCs of Viola for the Absolute Beginner, Book 1, ABCs of Viola for the Intermediate, Book 2, and Complete Technique for Viola. Listed below are Stores renting violas and selling the required materials.

8 MONDAYS at 7:45 to 9:15pm
Registration: 42 Brattle St. 617-547-6789
Online signup

Dear New VIOLA Students,

Thank you for signing up. It's never too late to begin playing viola and get really great at it. At the very first class, finger dots are added to your fingerboard to help immediately with placing left-hand finger tips correctly and playing in tune. Rubber bands are placed on your bow to help with right-hand finger placement. Mutes are placed on the bridge to sweeten the tone. Your viola will be tuned before each class.

Students say music reading and posture are easier to learn than they thought it would be. You will play 12 or more classical, folk and fiddle pieces, 2 studies, many warm-up exercises, 3 scales and several duets.

Why do Adults Learn Violin Quicker than Children? Viola too!

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

ABCs of Viola Book 1 - Johnson String
ABCs of Viola Book 1 - Amazon

Complete Technique for Viola - Johnson String
Complete Technique for Viola - Amazon
Complete Technique Sample Pages

ABCs of Viola Book 2 - Johnson String
ABCs of Viola Book 2 - Amazon

ABCs of Viola details

VIOLA ACCESSORIES students like:
Shoulder Rest: for ease and comfort holding viola.
Small Round Tourte Mute: eliminates 30% of volume; makes sound sweeter.
Ultra Practice Mute: eliminates 70% of sound; practice longer while not disturbing neighbors.
Metal Mute: eliminates 90% of sound; practice longer while not disturbing neighbors.
Tuner and Metronome all in one: Begin your practice with a viola that is in tune. Learn to keep perfect time like a professional with a Metronome.
Music Stand: have a straight back while practicing.
Rosin: put on the Bow Hairs for a clear sound.
Spare set of Strings: in case a string breaks. Be careful turning the pegs.

What can you do prior to the first class? Listen to the pieces you will be learning on the CD insert in ABCs of Viola for the Absolute Beginner, Book 1. If you own a Viola, please bring it to one of the shops below before the first class for a check up.

Feel free to send Nami Hashimoto an email if you have questions about the class. hashimotonami@gmail.com

Have fun taking the course!

~Janice Tucker Rhoda
Author ABCs of Strings and Complete Technique
Published by Carl Fischer Music
abcsofstrings@gmail.com

Violin course Double Bass course

 

 

LIST OF MUSIC STORES

 

Johnson String at 1029 Chestnut Street, Newton Upper Falls, MA. 617-964-0954
*Viola rentals and purchases, books, accessories. Rent to own program!

New England Violins at the corner of 351 Massachusetts Ave and St. Botolph St. near the Symphony T-stop, Boston, MA. 617-262-8567 (owner Paul DuLude)
*Viola rentals and purchases, books, accessories. Rent to own program!

Wood & Strings Music Center is at 493 Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington Center, MA. Take Bus No. 77 from Harvard Square to Arlington Center. 781-641-2131
*Viola rentals and purchases, books, accessories. Rent to own program!

Acoustic Strings of New England at Arts in the Armory, lower level, 191 Highland Ave. Somerville, MA. 781-648-6355
*Rent to own program!

Yesterday Service is a classical sheet music store in Arts at the Armory building at 191 Highland Ave. in Somerville, MA. Bus #88 and #90 from Davis Sq. or #90 from Lechmere T-stop. 617-547-8263
*Books, some accessories. (no violas)

Mass Ave Music at 1904 Mass Ave is across from the Porter Square T-stop, Cambridge, MA. 617-492-1930.
*Books, accessories. (No rentals)

Carriage House Violins at 1039 Chestnut Street in Newton Upper Falls, MA. 617-262-0051
*Viola purchases, books, accessories. (No rentals)

Wood & Strings Music Center is at 493 Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington Center, MA. Take Bus No. 77 from Harvard Square to Arlington Center. 781-641-2131
*Viola rentals and purchases, books, accessories.

Spencer Brook Strings at 9 Linden St, Maynard, MA. 978-897-6382
*Rent to own program!

Music Espresso is a classical sheet music store at 295 Huntington Avenue in Boston across from New England Conservatory of Music, close to the Symphony T-stop, Boston, MA. 617-424-9322
*Books, some accessories. (no violas)

Kloss Violins at 1200 Great Plain Avenue in Needham, MA is near the Needham Center stop on the Commuter Rail. 781-444-4383
*Viola purchases and accessories. (No rentals)

 

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The ABCs of Strings is published by
Carl Fischer Music