Strictly Strings, Pop-Style Solos: Viola Book & CD

These solos strike the balance every first-year viola teacher needs: genuinely musical material that doesn't demand advanced technique. The pop style keeps students engaged while the recorded accompaniments transform solo practice into something that feels like a real performance.

Contemporary and accessible without sacrificing musicality. The pop style brings rhythm and groove to young string players, while the melodies remain memorable and singable. Each solo has a distinct character, from the theme-and-variations approach of "TV" to the narrative arc pieces like "The Quest" and "The River."

First-year viola students who thrive on repertoire outside the classical canon. These solos work equally well for students using Strictly Strings or any comparable beginning method, and they're particularly valuable for those who need motivational material beyond traditional etudes.

• Engage the recorded accompaniment as your rehearsal partner. Play along multiple times to internalize the groove and build confidence in ensemble timing.
• Shape the melodic contours even in simpler passages. Pop style can flatten if every note receives equal weight; let phrases breathe.
• Lock into the rhythmic pulse early. Mark beat subdivisions in your part where the accompaniment texture might be ambiguous.
• Balance tone quality with stylistic expression. First-year viola tone still needs cultivation; don't sacrifice vibrato development for the sake of stylistic effect.

Introduce these solos in the second half of first-year study once students have built basic fluency. String them throughout the school year as recital or student showcase material, alternating between them and classical pieces to create programming variety. The accompaniment recordings make them excellent choices for coffee house performances or informal school assemblies where recording quality and ensemble polish matter less than student confidence.

• Playing with steady rhythm in contemporary pop styles
• Responding to recorded accompaniments and ensemble coordination
• Building interpretive choices within accessible melodic material
• Sustaining tone quality and intonation in longer phrase structures
• Balancing technical demands with musical expression