Suzuki Viola School, Volume 5: Viola Book & CD

The recorded performances by William Preucil set a high standard for tone quality and musicianship without overwhelming young viola students. Hearing a master violist model these pieces—from technical exercises through the sonata repertoire—gives students a clear aural target and reinforces the Suzuki principle that the ear learns before the hand.

This volume marks a turning point in technical capability. The pieces shift from playful character dances and folk melodies to more substantial baroque writing, particularly in the Marcello Sonata. Students experience the satisfaction of managing more complex positions while discovering the lyrical depth the viola offers.

Volume 5 serves viola students who have completed the earlier Suzuki volumes and are ready to tackle 5th position technique, string crossing challenges, and longer sonata forms. It is designed for young players working with a Suzuki viola teacher in a private lesson setting, often supplemented by group classes.

• Listen to the CD recordings repeatedly before and during practice to internalize the sound quality and phrasing you're aiming for, using your ear as your guide.
• Work through the tonalization and position etudes with a Suzuki teacher who can verify that your approach matches the pedagogical sequence embedded in these exercises.
• Pay close attention to the revised bowings and fingerings in this edition; they reflect decades of teaching experience and will shape how efficiently your technique develops.
• Use the fingerboard position guides in the book alongside the recordings to understand where your hand should sit as you navigate 5th position work.

Volume 5 repertoire works well in student recitals where progression is visible, as listeners hear the leap in technical skill from earlier volumes. The pieces also fit naturally into group classes where students at the same level can perform together, reinforcing community learning and peer motivation.

• Reading and executing music in 5th position
• String crossing with control and evenness
• Baroque articulation and phrasing conventions
• Left-hand independence and intonation across larger position shifts
• Understanding harmonic movement through sonata form