1. Posture:
- Sit on a chair or stool with a comfortable height.
- Adjust the viola so that it rests on your left leg with the scroll pointed upwards.
- Your left arm should be able to reach the strings easily and your right arm should be able to move freely.
2. Holding the Viola:
- Hold the viola between your chin and your left shoulder.
- The neck of the viola should be slightly tilted towards you.
- Use your left thumb to support the neck and your fingers to rest on the strings.
- Your right arm should be relaxed with the elbow slightly bent.
3. Tuning:
- Tune the viola using a tuner or by ear.
- Tune the strings to the notes A, D, G, C (starting from the lowest string).
- Make sure the strings are in tune with each other.
4. Left-hand Fingering:
- Place your fingers on the strings as follows:
- Index finger: 2nd finger
- Middle finger: 3rd finger
- Ring finger: 4th finger
- Pinky finger: 1st finger
- Practice placing your fingers on the right spots.
5. Bowing:
- Hold the bow with your right hand.
- Place the bow on the string about halfway between the bridge and the fingerboard.
- Apply gentle pressure with the bow and move it across the string in a smooth and controlled manner.
- Experiment with different bow speeds and pressures.
6. Playing Notes:
- Press your finger down on a string to change the pitch of a note.
- Use your left thumb to support the neck and your fingers to press down on the strings.
- As you press your fingers down on the strings, pluck the strings with your right hand.
7. Practice:
- Start with simple scales and exercises.
- Practice regularly to develop your technique and musicianship.
- Use sheet music or tablature to learn new pieces.
- Listen to viola music to get a feel for the instrument's sound.
Remember that practice and patience are key to improving your viola playing skills. Take lessons from a qualified viola teacher if possible, as they can provide valuable guidance and feedback.