Great for using the whole bow, and minims and crotchets. Rests, dynamics and accents add interest. Loved by audiences! Only published for violin and cello but works equally well on viola and bass.
A firm favourite with players who can manage both dotted crotchets and dotted quavers in the same piece. You can play it all in half position, or in first position with one shift back to half position towards the end.
This beautiful melody in D minor is a favourite with both students and parents. It is evocative of French café music and can be played in first or half position. There are a few simple slurs.
The 7/8 Calypso melody is wonderfully catchy. Viola 3 is the easiest of the parts. All require good use of hooked bows and a strong rhythm. There is a pizzicato section in the middle. The range lies within 1st position for all parts.
Viola 1 can be played on the violin and there are many more good trios and quartets in this album.
A Blues-style piece with an easy open string plus first finger lower part which would be ideal for a violinist learning the alto clef. The upper part is all in first position but with chromatic movement for both 1st and 2nd fingers. Ties and syncopation feature within a 12/8 time signature.
Volume 1 of ViolaFest is full of useful duets, trios and quartets and there is a second volume.
