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🎻 Suzuki Book 1 – Viola Lesson 1: Posture, Open Strings & First Exercise
Hello musicians!
Welcome to our very first Suzuki Book 1 lesson for viola. Today we’re focusing on body positioning, open strings, and our very first A-string exercise.
🧍♀️ Step 1: Finding Your Playing Stance
Let’s begin with posture:
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Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.
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Soften your knees – no locking, no stiffness.
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Keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed.
Yes, you can sit to practice, but I recommend standing – it strengthens your core and helps you feel freer while playing.
🎻 Step 2: Holding the Viola
Place the viola under your chin and support it gently with your left hand, cupping it between thumb and forefinger.
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Hold it near the body of the instrument.
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Move it slightly in small circles – get to know its weight and shape.
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You’re making friends with your instrument – let it feel like part of your personal space bubble.
Now, tuck your chin and try to hold the viola without your left hand – letting your chin, jaw, and shoulder do the work. This is the natural position you want whenever you play.
💡 Tip: Practice taking your hand away now and then. It reminds you that you don’t need a death grip – your head and shoulder are already doing much of the work.
🏹 Step 3: Meet the Bow
Hold your bow vertically (tip to sky, frog to floor) and let your fingers slide gently along it. Feel the balance and flexibility.
FYI – I use a vegan bow with my electric viola. It works beautifully, but I use plenty of rosin since synthetic strings can be a little different.
🎶 Step 4: Open Strings
Let’s play through the open strings:
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Start with your bow halfway along its length and drop it gently onto the C string.
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Pull – don’t push – and let the string ring.
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Notice the difference between forcing the sound and simply letting it sing.
Work your way across:
C → G → D → A
Notice the fingerboard’s curve – you’ll need to adjust your elbow height and bow angle to stay clean on one string without accidentally hitting another.
📝 Step 5: First Exercise (A String Focus)
Open Suzuki Book 1 to the first exercise.
You’ll notice:
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Four short notes in quick succession (look for the two beams on the stems).
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Two slightly longer notes (single beam).
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Dots above each note – meaning play them detached.
We also see a down-bow mark – a little square bracket above the first note. This means start with a downward motion, from frog toward the tip.
🎯 Step 6: Practice Pattern
Play slowly at first:
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Four short bows, then two slightly longer bows.
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Keep the bow perpendicular to the string, elbow in the correct place.
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Check your posture in a mirror – back straight, no leaning forward.
When you feel confident, speed it up a little – but always keep the sound smooth and controlled.
✅ Homework
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Familiarize yourself with the four open strings.
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Practice holding the viola without your left hand.
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Play today’s exercise several times each day, slowly at first.
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Use a mirror to check elbow position and back alignment.
Remember – we’re building habits that will stay with you for life. Take it slow and get it right from the start.
See you tomorrow for the next step!
Check out the iServalan tee ranges inspired by the Book of Immersion films series