The Complete Guide to Major Scales on the Viola (with Sheet Music and Audio Accompaniments)
The Complete Guide to Major Scales on the Viola (with Sheet Music and Audio Accompaniments)
Even if some violists dread practicing scales due to their repetitive nature, scale practice lays the foundation for essential and solid technique. Viola scales help develop dexterity, coordination, and understanding of different keys. We are delighted to introduce a new practice method for major scales - a must for any violist!
TomScales is an innovative and immersive way to play and stay motivated. You can now practice your scales with high-quality audio accompaniments in the music style of your choice (classical, epic, pop, jazz, and many more), synchronized with sheet music notation for each scale.
TomScales offers a progressive approach, starting at the beginner level and gradually increasing in difficulty. As you progress through the very easy, easy, and intermediate levels, new scales are introduced, the tempo speeds up, and the scale variations become more complex.
🎵 Discover all the major viola scales with Tomplay!
1. C Major Scale for Viola
The C major scale is an ideal starting point for violists because it allows for a natural hand position in first position. This fundamental scale helps you understand the basic structure of a scale and get acquainted with proper finger placement and spacing. What makes this scale particularly important for viola is that it starts on our lowest open string, the C string, giving you a full understanding of the instrument's range.
With Tomplay's C major scale, you can play along with an orchestra or band. You will enjoy the high-quality audio recording synchronized with the sheet music. Choose your preferred accompaniment style (classical, pop, bossa nova, or epic) and start playing your scale.
The scale helps you master the proper spacing between fingers, especially between your first and second fingers on the G and D strings. Learning C major will help you play many pieces in this key, such Besame Mucho, or Piazzolla’s Libertango.
▶️ Play the C major scale on the viola (score with Play Along)
2. G Major Scale for Viola
Moving from C major to the G major scale will begin to broaden your musical horizons. This scale introduces the first sharp (F#) to the key signature, allowing you to explore a new finger pattern. As you progress through the G major scale, you'll not only improve your finger dexterity but also become familiar with the concept of key signatures and develop a stronger sense of intonation.
With Tomplay's G major scale, students can play accompanied by an orchestra or band, thanks to a high-quality recording synchronized with the score. Choose the accompaniment style you prefer (classical, pop, bossa nova, or epic) and start practicing your scale at home.
G major is particularly important for violists as it utilizes the instrument's open strings effectively and is one of the most common keys in viola repertoire. This exercise will help you master pieces in G major, such as the first movement of the Telemann Viola Concerto or Dvořák’s Song to the Moon from the opera Rusalka.
▶️ Play the G major scale on the viola (with Play Along)
3. D Major Scale for Viola
Moving to the D major scale will take you to a new stage in your viola progress. This scale introduces two sharps (F# and C#) to the key signature, giving you the opportunity to explore a more complex finger pattern. As you master the D major scale, you'll not only develop your musicality but also deepen your understanding of position work and tonal centers.
With Tomplay's D major scale, you can play along with an orchestra or band, thanks to our high-quality recordings that synchronize with the sheet music. Choose from different play-along styles (classical, jazz, pop, or bossa nova) and start exploring this new scale that you are adding to your practice repertoire.
D major is one of the most natural keys for the viola, as your lowest string creates its dominant. This exercise will prepare you for many standard viola pieces, including Pachelbel’s Canon in D or Amazing Grace.
▶️ Play the key of D major on the viola (with Play Along)
4. A Major Scale for Viola
Introducing the A major scale takes your viola learning to a new level. This scale includes three sharps (F#, C#, and G#) in the key signature, challenging you to maintain accurate intonation with more altered notes.
With Tomplay's A major scale, you can play along with an orchestra or band, thanks to our high-quality recordings that synchronize with the sheet music. Choose which music style you're in the mood to play (classical, pop, bossa nova, or epic) and start practicing!
This exercise helps you play pieces in A major, such as Perfect by Ed Sheeran or Concerto No. 4 in A major, BWV 1055 - III. Allegro ma non tanto by Bach. The scale is particularly useful for developing clean shifts between positions and maintaining consistent intonation.
▶️ Play the A major scale on the viola (with Play Along)
5. F Major Scale for Viola
By discovering the F major scale, you will continue to expand your understanding of viola technique. This scale introduces your first flat (B♭) into the key signature! Mastering the F major scale will help you understand flats and their relationship to natural notes on your fingerboard. You will also learn a new finger pattern with this scale, which is different from the C, G, D, and A major sequence.
With Tomplay's F major scale, you can play along with an orchestra or band, with professional-quality recordings perfectly synchronized to the score. Choose from a variety of play-along styles (classical, jazz, rock, or bossa nova) and let our interactive score inspire your scale practice!
This scale, with its single flat, will prepare you to play pieces in F major, such as Sibelius’ Rondo for Viola and Piano or Moon River by Johnny Mercer. The scale helps develop flexibility in your left hand and teaches you to adjust your intonation for the flat notes.
▶️ Play the F major scale on the viola (with Play Along)
6. E Major Scale for Viola
The E major scale has four sharps in the key signature (F#, C#, G#, and D#). When working on it, you add a small level of complexity to take you further in your progression. Don't forget to play it at varying speeds to work on both your technique and your musicality.
Thanks to Tomplay's E major scale, you can work even harder on your sense of musicality, as you can choose to play along with jazz, classical, or epic-style play-alongs recorded by professional musicians.
This exercise will familiarize you with pieces in E major, such as How Far I’ll Go by Miranda Lin-Manuel for the animated film Moana. The scale particularly helps with developing clean string crossings and maintaining accurate intonation across the viola's range.
▶️ Practice the E major scale on the viola (with Play Along)
7. B-flat Major Scale for Viola
Learning the B-flat major scale marks a new turning point in your viola playing. With two flats in the scale pattern (B♭ and E♭), this scale invites you to explore the rich, warm sounds that these notes bring, along with yet another new finger pattern to master.
Tomplay's B-flat major scale lets you immerse yourself fully in the music, with an orchestral or band accompaniment carefully recorded for perfect synchronization with your playing. Explore different play-along moods and discover new ways to make these exercises full of vitality!
This practice will prepare you for important viola repertoire in B-flat major, such as Caccini’s Ave Maria and Fanny Mendelssohn’s 6 Lieder Op. 1 - No. 1 Schwanenlied. The scale is particularly helpful for developing smooth position changes and maintaining consistent intonation across all strings.
▶️ Discover the key of B-flat major on the viola (with Play Along)
As you learn to play the viola, mastering different scales is essential. These seven scales (in the keys of C major, G major, F major, D major, A major, E major, and B-flat major) form the basis of a solid viola technique. Each scale offers unique challenges, such as different finger patterns, string crossings, or key signatures, which will help you improve your agility and precision. By focusing on these exercises, you'll be better prepared to play more advanced pieces and build your confidence.
Discover all the major viola scales available in the Tomplay Shop. Now it's your turn to play!
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