1.  Turn on the c.d. player, but turn down the sound.

2.  Set the programming, or memory, on your c.d. player to play track #1 five times.  Press "play" on your c.d. player and track #1 will sound for fifteen minutes.

3.  Turn the volume back up.

4.  On your viola play open "C (the lowest possible)," for eight to ten seconds using no vibrato.  As you are playing this note, listen to The Tuning C.D.  If you cannot hear The Tuning C.D., play softer, or turn up the volume on your compact disc player.  As you play the note "C" and listen carefully to The Tuning C.D., you may hear waves, or beats.  This means you are playing out of tune.  Carefully re-tune the "C" string to get rid of the beats.   Repeat the above process several times (at least 5 to 8 times) until you have comfortably gotten rid of all beats.  This is a very important step, so take your time.  If you are able to eliminate all beats, go on to step 5.

5.  Now, on the same string, try the above process with a second note, "C," and octave above.   Hold the second note, "C," for eight to ten seconds.  Be sure to listen to The Tuning C.D. and check for beats.  Repeat this process (again at least 5 to 8 times) until you have comfortably gotten rid of all beats.  DO NOT USE VIBRATO.  When you eliminate all beats, go to step 6.

6.  Play and hold the first "C (the lowest one possible)" for a few seconds, getting rid of all beats and then slur into the second "C (the octave above)" pitch.  Be sure to hold these notes long enough to get rid of all beats.   Do not switch notes until you have gotten rid of all beats.  Do this step several times until comfortable.  Again, do not use vibrato.

7.  Now reverse step 6.  Play and hold the second "C (the octave above)" pitch and then slur into the first "C" note.  Be sure and listen to The Tuning C.D.  Did you make adjustments to get rid of the beats for either note?  Keep those adjustments in mind.  Repeat this process until all beats are comfortably gone.

8.  Play the note "G," found between the two selected "C" pitches, for eight to ten seconds.  Remember not to use vibrato and always blend with the pitches you hear from the c.d.  If you have trouble hearing the pitches from the c.d. player, do not be afraid of turning up the volume.  Try having the volume of the c.d. player overpower the volume of your instrument.  Experiment.  Repeat until all beats are comfortably gone.  Again, take your time to train your ears to get rid of all beats.  This is a very important step.

9.  Now, while holding each note long enough to get rid of any beats, play the first pitch, "C (the lowest one)," and slur to the new note, "G."   Repeat this until all beats are comfortably gone.

10.  At this point, reverse step nine.  Start on the note "G," holding long enough to get rid of all beats, and slur to the first pitch, "C (the lowest one)."  Repeat until all beats are comfortably gone.

11.  Now try repeating steps 8 though 10, but replace the note "G" with the following notes in order:  F, D, E, B, and finally A.  Again, spend plenty of time in this beginning phase.  This will train your ear to hear "in tune."  Most of all, do not use vibrato.

12.  Perform the above process, steps 1 through 11, on the "G" string with track #8, the "D" string with track #3, and the "A" string on track #10.

13.  After working on the open strings, practice very slow major, minor, and modal scales that do not use open strings.  Be sure to get rid of all beats on each note. Practice this technique for a few weeks.  Now try very slow scales in thirds and arpeggios.

14.  Lastly, start working on double stops.  Work in the keys of C, C#, and D first.  If you have difficulty, refer to tracks 13 through 33.  Sing the pitches you need to play.  Then play along with the given practice tracks.  Once you can hear and perform these harmonies, go on to the other keys.

15.  Be sure to practice in every key and use the entire range of your instrument.   Use simple folk melodies in every key, or even etudes and standard repertoire.   Good Luck!

Hints

1.  If possible, get fine tuners for each string.

2.  Use The Tuning C.D. to tune you instrument.  Use track 1 for the C string, track 8 for the G string, track 3 for the D string, and track 10 for the A string.

3.  Be aware that tuning a string causes a slight change in the tension on the neck.  When the neck tension changes, pitch on the other strings are slightly affected.

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