Fiddle & Song, Book 1: Viola Book & Online Audio/Software

This book captures the spirit of why young violists fall in love with strings in the first place. Rather than another page of exercises, students encounter melodies they can sing first, then play, then arrange with friends, building ownership and joy alongside technique. The teacher pages and ensemble parts are genuinely thoughtful, offering mixed-instrumentation options that work whether your section is homogeneous or mixed, and the strategic use of transposed keys (D and G for violas, a fifth below the violin parts) removes a major barrier to playing together.

Fiddle & Song captures the conversational, playful quality of traditional American string music, where the goal is to be heard and to have fun alongside your friends. Each tune unfolds with space for improvisation and variation, encouraging you to make musical choices rather than simply execute what's on the page.

Viola students in intermediate string programs who are ready to move beyond classical studies into the warmth and rhythmic freedom of traditional American music. This book works equally well in school string orchestras and private studios, and it pairs naturally with Suzuki instruction or any classical method already in use.

• Sing the melody before picking up the bow. This establishes the tune's phrasing, rhythm, and character in your ear, making the transition to the instrument smoother and more musical.
• Pay attention to the kick-offs when playing alongside other string instruments. These serve both as a musical transition into the new key and as a chance to lock in ensemble rhythm.
• Explore the breaks and back-ups on the teacher pages; they show you how a tune can be reshaped and reharmonized, which deepens your understanding of the melody's structure.
• Use the guitar chord references to understand the harmonic movement, even if you're not playing chords yourself. This awareness helps you voice your parts with more intention in ensemble sections.

Introduce this material midway through the school year once students have solid foundational technique, or use it as a bridge between fall classical repertoire and spring pops concerts. The ensemble flexibility means you can program a single tune with different combinations of instruments, and the call-and-response structure of many pieces makes them engaging for mixed-ability rehearsals.

• Reading tunes with strategic articulations and dynamic shape suited to fiddling style
• Playing ensemble parts written for mixed string instrumentation (violas as melody, harmony, or drone)
• Understanding harmonic function through guitar chord notation
• Shifting between accompaniment figures (back-ups, breaks) and melodic roles
• Incorporating singing as a tool for phrasing and interpretation on the instrument