Habits of a Successful Young String Musician Book 1 - Viola

Habits of a Successful Young String Musician Book 1 is a comprehensive beginner viola method designed for the first year of instruction and beyond. This field-tested method includes 220 sequenced exercises that develop tone, pitch, technique, tonal literacy, and rhythmic reading through familiar melodies, sight-reading, scales, warm-ups, and exercises.

Tone and Technique

Students begin using the bow early, while familiar melodies encourage development of pitch and tone by ear. High-quality photos and online instructional videos demonstrate proper instrument position, left-hand setup, bow hand technique, hooked bows, slurs, tone production, shifting, and other foundational skills.

Musicianship and Reading

All four open strings are introduced early, with new notes supported by clear fingerboard diagrams and visual references. Rhythmic exercises develop counting and subdivision through long notes, rests, and frequent 3/4 melodies. Nine pages of sight-reading exercises further develop independent tonal and rhythmic reading.

Specifications

• Instrument: Viola
• Level: Beginner
• Book: Book 1
• Series: Habits of a Successful Young String Musician
• Authors: Sarah Ball, Margaret Selby, Christopher Selby, Scott Rush
• Exercises: 220 sequenced exercises
• Format: Softcover
• Item number: G-11051
• Supplemental resources: Online accompaniment tracks, instructional videos, and performance videos
• Online resources: habitsstrings.com
• Digital platforms: MusicFirst PracticeFirst and MakeMusic Cloud SmartMusic

A practical first-year viola method that combines tone development, technique, music reading, and engaging repertoire with extensive online learning resources.