New Directions® For Strings, Viola Book 2: Viola Method Book

Purposeful and efficient. The progression respects what violas can accomplish musically at this level while building technique systematically. You'll find yourself and your students moving forward with confidence rather than confusion.

Viola students working through their second year of string study, whether in a full orchestra or small group setting. Teachers and directors who want a method that treats the viola voice with real musical respect rather than relegating it to accompaniment patterns.

• Address bow distribution early and often. The method's attention to bow control means students have the tools; your rehearsal job is holding them accountable to consistent weight and speed.
• Use the tetrachord structure to diagnose intonation problems. If a student struggles in a passage, backtrack to the foundational tetrachord pattern they learned to isolate the exact interval issue.
• Rotate who leads in the ensemble pieces. Since all instruments are equally integrated, your violas can carry musical lines without apology, which builds both confidence and section pride.
• Spend time with the assessment opportunities rather than skipping them. They reveal exactly where a student needs reinforcement before moving forward.

Pair Book 2 with a balanced repertoire that lets students apply the tetrachord concepts they're learning. The method's structure works well as a curricular anchor in fall and winter when you're still developing fundamentals, leaving spring for more elaborate ensemble arrangements.

• Tetrachord-based intonation and left-hand positioning
• Bow control and distribution across string crossings
• Reading in alto clef with increased rhythmic complexity
• Balanced ensemble voicing and equal melodic responsibility
• Self-assessment through guided checkpoints