Group 1

Mastering Scales

is an essential skill for any violists aiming to enhance their technical proficiency and musical expression. In this Two Week Intensive, Christian Kim will guide you through fundamental techniques and advanced practices to master scales with precision and fluidity!

Hands-on Learning:

Participants will engage in comprehensive practice sessions focusing on the execution of scales, improving accuracy, speed, and musicality.

Who Should Attend:

This course is designed for violists of all levels who wish to deepen their understanding and practice of scales and arpeggios, vital components of any musical repertoire.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, participants will have a thorough grasp of the techniques required for flawless scale execution, along with strategies for ongoing improvement through targeted exercises and etudes.

Join Us:

Embark on this transformative journey into the world of scales! This course offers a rich blend of practical exercises and real-world application, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.

Core Concepts:

  • Building a Strong Foundation: Learn the foundational techniques for playing scales with accuracy and ease.
  • Improving Intonation and Finger Placement: Develop precise intonation and finger placement for cleaner, more accurate playing.
  • Enhancing Speed and Agility: Increase your playing speed and finger agility through structured practice routines.

Timeline

Sign-Up: August 27th to September 3rd

Course Period: September 3rd to September 17th

Check-In via Zoom: September 12th

Livestream: September 18th

Assignment WEEK 1: 

  • record your progress on one, or multiple 2-octave scales
  • upload the video to YouTube (unlisted) and share the link in your group, or upload the video directly in this group
  • optional: incorporate bowing patterns and rhythmic patterns
  • mandatory: encourage your fellow participants with feedback :D

 

Zoom Check-In Recording

Week 2 Video

 

Assignment WEEK 2:

 

  • record your progress on one, or multiple 2-octave scales and feel free to incorporate 3-octave scales and arpeggios, if you are feeling that 2-octave scales are not challenging enough! :D
  • upload the video to YouTube (unlisted) and share the link in your group, or upload the video directly in this group
  • optional: incorporate bowing patterns and rhythmic patterns!
  • mandatory: encourage your fellow participants with feedback :D

Additional resources:

LEFT HAND FUNDAMENTALS on tonebase

 

GUIDE TO INTONATION with Richard O'Neill on tonebase

SHIFTING with Ettore Causa on tonebase

 

SHIFTING with Muriel Razavi on tonebase

50 replies

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    • Anneli_Ahlers
    • 3 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    I'm mainly a violin teacher with students ranging from total beginners to intermediate level and therefor I have not done any challenging repertoire for many years (my teaching schedule is quite full and I where I previously also played in the local community orchestra, I now am still teaching at the time they rehearse). 

    I recently started teaching the viola as well and am therefore looking forward to using these Intensive sessions to develop my viola technique.  Over the years, my left hand has weakened quite considerably so having to work on these scale routines will help to strengthen my left hand frame and develop a more viola-focused bow technique. 

    Having these assignments give me the focus to fit in some practice time in the mornings before I start teaching.  I'm really looking forward to it!  Thanks Christian!

      • Lead of Viola at tonebase
      • Christian
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       Thank you for joining Anneli!! Looking forward to the next 2 weeks!!

    • Maurizio.1
    • 3 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Sono molto contento di poter partecipare a questo corso. Sto sperimentando, dal momento della mia iscrizione a Tonebase, lo stesso entusiasmo che avevo da ragazzo quando studiavo lo strumento con regolarità.
    La mia professione non è quella del musicista, ma imparare e lavorare con la viola è una passione ancora molto forte! 
    Mi impegnerò per riuscire a svolgere le attività richieste e per inviare i video.
    Saluto tutti i partecipanti e auguro buono studio!
    Grazie a Christian e al team di Tonbase per la grande opportunità che ci viene data.
    Maurizio
     

    • Amateur violist/violinist
    • Sonia_Lancaster
    • 3 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    I’m hoping to gain a deeper understanding of scales and how to practice them. I’ve never really done an intensive on scales and I’m looking forward to finding new ways of incorporating them into daily practice.

    • Asa_NH
    • 3 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    I recently embarked on my Viola journey from Violin, and I'm looking forward to strengthening my foundation and getting more familiar with the scales on the Viola. I'm pretty sure the knowledge that I'll gain here will also be transferable to my Violin practice. Thank you for creating this program!

      • Amateur violist/violinist
      • Sonia_Lancaster
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       

      I made that journey a little over 3 years ago… love the viola. Enjoy your journey, you’re violin playing will certainly improve.

      Sonia

      • Asa_NH
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       
      Thanks Sonia! 
      So far I'm really enjoying it eventhough I can feel the body strain difference from playing the violin. It makes me apply certain ergonomic adjustments that I can't leave out. I've also applied some of the learnings to my violin playing, which made me play with more ease on both! I find that the journey is totally worth it, and it's so rewarding able to produce and hear the viola's warm sound <3

    • Laura_McDermott
    • 3 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    I have gotten lazy about my practice over the years and so have my skills. I mostly teach and though viola is my main instrument I have many more violin students than viola students. Similar to Anneli Ahlers, my teaching schedule has caused me to not focus on my own playing for years. I also have had playing pain issues which have always held me back even as a child. The pain issues are worked out now and I have decided it is time for me to get back at my skills and playing.. I want to find my joy in playing, get some skills back and improve my skills and also hear what other people have to say. I am excited to get Mr. Kim's scale knowledge. I did the 2 week violin intensive and realized I have gotten very set in my ways as far as fingerings and shifting on scales. I am very curious to see his fingering choices for the scales. I am looking forward to devoting much more time to scales than I normally do. 

    • Maurizio.1
    • 3 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Invio due video con le seguenti 

    • Maurizio.1
    • 3 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Buonasera,
    invio i link per accedere ai due video che ho registrato:
    a) scala di do maggiore;
    b) scala di sol maggiore.
    Metronomo: velocità 40 pulsazioni al minuto.
    Grazie per l'attenzione,
    Maurizio

    VIDEO 1: https://youtu.be/A24cJAn_Ecc

    VIDEO 2: https://youtu.be/RSmGbHdnBag

      • Lead of Viola at tonebase
      • Christian
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       Dear Maurizio!! Thank you so much for your videos! C major and G major (already with the complication of shifting required) are great choices. Great command over tempo and intonation as well! Looking forward to more submissions! How was this routine for you? Were there any challenges, or observations? 

      • Laura_McDermott
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       You sound awesome! So precise. Thank you for posting your videos. I will share videos soon. 

      • Maurizio.1
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       Buonasera Christian! Ti ringrazio tanto per il messaggio che mi hai inviato. Avere un così rapido riscontro in merito alla pratica svolta mi ha fatto molto piacere.
      Questa attività è stata per me assai stimolante: lavorare sugli elementi di base del suonare non è mai banale. La precisione con cui hai presentato la prima settimana di corso , la definizione chiara della richiesta e la puntualità dei materiali offerti sono stati di grande aiuto. La routine mi ha confermato la necessità di impegnarmi sul coordinamento mano sinistra-arco: per me non è semplice tenere bene insieme le due parti mano a mano che aumenta la velocità. Questo è un obiettivo su cui continuerò a lavorare. Grazie per la splendida opportunità e per l'attenzione.
      Maurizio

      • Maurizio.1
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       Buonasera Laura, grazie per le tue parole! Avere un riscontro alla propria pratica dai "compagni di viaggio" rende lo studio più interessante e dinamico. Attendo con piacere la pubblicazione dei tuoi video.
      A presto, Maurizio
       

      • Anneli_Ahlers
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       You do very well with the metronome!!  I'm still getting used to it and need much more practice!  Thanks for posting your videos!

    • Laura_McDermott
    • 3 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    What time is the zoom on Thursday?

    • Anneli_Ahlers
    • 3 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    I undertook to actually work on my scales and of course, got too busy with teaching again, so I definitely did not put in the time I was planning to practice!  

    This morning I decided to go through the C and D Major two octave scales and the metronome really did my head in!!  Hopefully by the end of the two weeks I'll find it easier!

    I did not try to make a perfect video, just the process as I was trying to get through each scale plus all the mistakes!

    I must say, listening to the sound of my recording will inspire me to try and work even more on my sound production, as it does not sound so shrill and scratchy under my ear!

    Here is the video link https://youtu.be/SJNRryZp7GU

      • Maurizio.1
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       

      Grazie per il tuo video. A me il tuo suono è piaciuto molto: non registriamo con dispositivi da sala di registrazione, è naturale che le note possano suonare più metalliche che in acustico! Ho apprezzato tanto anche il tuo bellissimo e ampio vibrato tutto di polso!!! Complimenti!!! 

      • Anneli_Ahlers
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       Thanks Maurizio - I'm finding it quite challenging to produce the sound I would like and as I'm getting older I notice that I do not have the strength in my hands required to handle the viola properly!  But, as I "preach" to my students, the more one does it, the easier it becomes!

      • Laura_McDermott
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       I can relate with the teaching interfering with practice time. I have the same problem. You look so awesome when you play - so comfortable. Your head and neck and arms just look like it is so easy. 

      • Anneli_Ahlers
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

        I'm glad you think I look comfortable - with the heavy instrument it does not always feel like it! When I was in my 20s I noticed a new viola player in the Symphony Orchestra who just looked so relaxed and everything looked so easy!  I approached him for lessons (although at the time I was still doing violin) and he had me on open strings for two months!  I had to change my whole posture (which was quite tense).  After one month I could no longer do what I used to be able to do and still not get a decent sound with his approach, but by about 2 months things started to click and I could be totally relaxed when playing.

      I still find it difficult to apply this when bowing on the viola as I do need to transfer  much more weight onto the bow compared to the violin - also working with the bow speed to discover a good sound is still a work in progress.  The bit I get to play, I do enjoy it - it is like a whole new journey!

      • Lead of Viola at tonebase
      • Christian
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       Dean Anneli, thank you so much for your submission and for sharing your thoughts! I am especially impressed with the great control you have over the bow—it’s beautifully controlled and straight! I am looking forward to your next submissions, Anneli.

      As someone coming from a violin background or after playing viola for many years, finding comfortable ergonomics is always a challenge. That's part of the reason why I've asked nearly every artist we work with to cover aspects of both technique and ergonomics. As a result, we’ve curated a great selection of courses on this topic from various angles, each offering a unique take on tackling similar challenges. And with our library of courses constantly growing, there’s much more to come.

      Of course, there’s also the challenge of finding time to practice yourself while motivating your students to practice more—the dichotomy of being a music educator! Many of us are familiar with this struggle, which makes me even more grateful for your participation in this two-week intensive and for sharing your progress with us.

       

    • Laura_McDermott
    • 3 mths ago
    • Reported - view

    Ok. I made a video. G Major. I find it very hard to track the pulse at the slow tempo. It is at 30 BPM. I did a lot of teaching and work today - definitely feel tired in my body. My shifting is stickier than normal. I have been working on keeping my fingers down as I usually don't. Maybe I will get another video made tomorrow. 

    https://youtu.be/A08dvPaZZfw

      • Anneli_Ahlers
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       I think you should set the metronome faster - 30bpm is very slow.  Even if you set it at 60 and then use two beats per note for the start it might help you get into the feel of the rhythm.

      • Maurizio.1
      • 3 mths ago
      • Reported - view

       

      Grazie Laura, mi piace il suono che riesci ad ottenere. Sono d'accordo con Anneli, 30 di metronomo mette anche me in difficoltà, per questo, quando studio, parto usando  40 pulsazioni al minuto che risultano più comode. Buona pratica.

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