The Invisible String, The Position-less Fingerboard, and Other Nifty Wisdoms from the Old School

The viola can be a punishing instrument. If it weren’t so wonderful, most of us would have run away screaming long ago! Many nuggets of wisdom passed down are well known and a part of our modern viola consciousness – helping us survive another day. Yet other techniques operate on such a subtle level that they can escape notice, and thus be in danger of disappearing from our viola lives and pedagogy. This workshop takes a close look at these techniques – namely a left hand which “plays” 5ths most of the time (even if they don’t sound) – an old technique that makes everything physically easier, and is a goldmine for much music (especially Bach!). We’ll also cover the sometimes befuddling fingerings which commonly appear in old editions, and the philosophy of the fingerboard which is necessary to make them work…and perhaps even fall in love with them a wee bit.