Viola Guidelines

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I:

Fluent Memory

Rhythmic Integrity

Accurate Pitch

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II:

Beautiful Tone

Phrasing

Appropriate Dynamics

Both list I and II contain the graduation requirements for all levels. List I contains the more objective aspects of a performance and List II contains the more subjective aspects. The levels of graduation require increasing skill in all requirements, particularly those in List II.

It is the teacher’s decision when a student’s recording meets the requirements. A recording should not be send that has memory stumbles, wrong notes or lack of a steady tempo. If the student has major problems in these areas then continue to work on the piece and submit it at a later date.

Recordings can include accompaniment, at the teacher’s discretion. If using a recorded track, it should not include the viola in the background.

2022 Viola Grad Standards update (printable checklist for teachers and parents)

Viola Level I: Gossec Gavotte (Book 1)

The ability to keep a steady beat while playing the variety of note values that are present in this Gavotte is a challenge to many students so specific attention should be given to this.

Requirements: List I and II with special focus on List I
Student Level: Student should be beginning Book 3 or beyond.
Checklist:

  • Staccato bow stroke at beginning.
  • Clarity of string crossings with clean grace notes.
  • Intonation of the F# in measure 7.
  • Clarity of intonation B natural to f natural in measure 15.
  • Intonation and articulation of the F# to F natural without a slide in measure 20.
  • Clear articulation of the 16th notes in measures 25, 27, 29, 30, and 31 especially when slurring from the G to C string.
  • The pizzicato in tempo.

Viola Level II: Bach Bourrée (Book 3)

A student making a recording for this level should have more highly developed skills from list II than would be expected from graduation Level 1.

Requirements: List I and II
Student Level: Student should be in Book 4 or beyond.
Checklist:

  • Chords at the beginning should have clear intonation and all notes sounding with ringing tones in measure 2 & 4.
  • Accurate intonation of G#’s in measure 10, 12, 13, & 15.
  • Accurate intonation of the high F natural in 2nd position in measures 19.
  • Careful, accurate intonation in the minor section (Bourrée II).
  • Clean string crossings and bow articulation throughout the whole piece.

 

Viola Level III: Telemann Concerto in G major, 2nd Movement (Book 4)

Increased sophistication of tone, dynamics, and phrasing.

Requirements: List I and II and increased sophistication of tone, phrasing, dynamics and vibrato (if vibrato has been taught at this point).
Student Level: Student should be in Book 5 or beyond.
Checklist:

  • Even rhythm in the string crossings in measure 15.
  • Rich tone and accurate chords in measures 19 and 25.
  • Accurate intonation in measures 33-36, especially measure 36.
  • Clean, even string crossings in measure 45-46.
  • Accuracy of intonation in measures 53-54 and 57-58.
  • Steady tempo and careful intonation in measures 60-64.

Viola Level IV: Seitz Concerto No. 3 in C minor (Book 5)

This piece is extensive in its difficulties – C minor key, chords, advanced shifting, more treble clef, and expanded string crossings.
Requirements: List I and II with special attention to steady rhythm and intonation.
Student Level: Student should be in Book 6 or beyond.
Checklist:

  • Lots of intonation issues – especially watch for clean, matching of pitches when changing fingers e.g. in measure 13.
  • Accurate rhythm with grace notes in measure 32.
  • In measure 34 chords – careful B natural following low 1st finger.
  • Careful intonation and shifting in measure 39-43 followed by clean arpeggios.
  • Make sure the 3rds are in tune in measure 47.
  • In measure 73 make sure the up-bow passage is clean and articulate.
  • In measure 76 be sure the D natural on beat 3 is in tune following the C flat passage.
  • Careful intonation in the chords and high shifting in measures 88-97.

Viola Level V: Bach Concerto in C Minor, 1st Movement (Book 6)

This piece is similar to the Seitz C Minor Concerto in the complexity of the key, chords, shifting, and use of treble clef.
Requirements: List I and II and increased sophistication of tone, phrasing, dynamics and vibrato.
Student Level: Student should be in Book 7 or beyond.
Checklist:

  • Play with lots of energy and full rich tones.
  • Open chord with low E flat to set tonality for the whole piece.
  • Accuracy of intonation in 2nd position in measure 24.
  • Shifting accuracy in measures 34-35.
  • Careful intonation with accurate shifting in measures 38-44.
  • Chord with beautiful tone in measure 47.
  • Careful intonation in measures 60-65.
  • Intonation in measures 128-137.

Viola Level VI: Handel Concerto in B Minor, 1st Movement (Book 7)

This piece is a staple of the viola concerto repertoire. It deals with more extensive sophisticated playing and technique in the left and right hands and includes many arpeggios.
Requirements: List I and II and increased sophistication of tone, phrasing, dynamics and vibrato.
Student Level: Student should be in Book 8 or beyond.
Checklist:

  • Clean string crossings.
  • Intonation in 4th position in measure 26 and 45.
  • Arpeggios in measures 38-39 and 68-69.

Viola Level VII: Bruch Romanze (Book 8)

This piece is a showcase of all the elements of sophisticated playing with expressive playing and shifting, rubatoes, and skilled, expressive bowings.
Requirements: List I and II and increased sophistication of tone, phrasing, dynamics and vibrato.
Student Level: Student should be in Book 9 or beyond.
Checklist:

  • Intonation on chords in measures 32-35.
  • Stringendo passage: accuracy of chords and runs in measure 58-68.
  • Chords in measures 93-95.
  • Careful intonation on fifths across strings in measures 50-57.

Viola Level VIII: Schubert Arpeggione, 1st Movement

This piece is in the classical genre. It is very expressive and requires a more involved left-hand technique, especially in the extended arpeggio passages, ornamentation, and high shifts. Accompaniment is encouraged but not required.
Requirements: List I and II and increased sophistication of tone, phrasing, dynamics and vibrato.
Student Level: Student should be beyond the Suzuki books.
Checklist:

  • Opening with a warm, rich sound.
  • Expressive ornamentation in measure 22.
  • Bow articulation with slurs or separate bows which occurs often including in measure 53.
  • Option of high octave in measure 114.
  • Use of two-note slurs with stress on the first note in measure 144.
  • Use of four-note expressive gestures leaning on the 3rd note in measure 140.
  • Final arpeggio with high harmonic in measure 200.