String Music in Patterns – Viola

Improve Viola Intonation, Master Finger Patterns & Develop Confident Young Violists

Help your viola students develop accurate intonation, stronger left-hand technique, and greater musical confidence with String Music in Patterns by Marsha Chusmir Shapiro.

Featuring 17 original string orchestra compositions, this innovative viola collection helps beginning and developing violists strengthen essential finger patterns while performing engaging ensemble music.

Instead of relying exclusively on repetitive exercises or visual fingerboard markers, students learn to recognize finger relationships, develop dependable hand positioning, and improve pitch accuracy through carefully structured musical patterns.

Each composition uses a consistent finger pattern across the strings, allowing violists to concentrate on intonation, listening, and musical expression while building valuable orchestral skills.

Why Viola Teachers and Orchestra Directors Love String Music in Patterns

The viola plays a vital role in the string orchestra, providing rich inner harmonies, rhythmic support, and expressive melodic passages. However, developing violists often face challenges with precise finger spacing, accurate intonation, and confidently performing independent musical lines.

String Music in Patterns offers an engaging approach to overcoming these challenges through practical, pattern-based instruction.

• 17 Original String Orchestra Compositions: Develop essential viola skills through carefully structured music featuring interesting melodic and countermelodic lines.

• Improved Viola Intonation: Help students develop accurate pitch recognition and the ability to make adjustments through careful listening.

• Consistent Finger Patterns: Reinforce correct left-hand positioning and reliable finger spacing through patterns used across the strings.

• First-Position Playing: All viola parts remain in first position, making this collection especially useful for beginning and developing violists.

• Warm-Ups Before Every Composition: Pattern-specific exercises help students establish accurate finger placement before performing each piece.

• Engaging Viola Parts: Give violists meaningful musical material that develops independence and confidence within the orchestra.

• Helpful Fingerings and Bowings: Clearly edited parts support consistent technique and more productive rehearsals.

• Stronger Ensemble Musicianship: Encourage students to listen to surrounding instruments, understand harmonic relationships, and contribute confidently to the orchestra's overall sound.

17 Compositions Organized Around Five Finger Patterns

This thoughtfully organized collection includes:

• Pattern 1: Four compositions

• Pattern 2: Four compositions

• Pattern 3: Four compositions

• Pattern 4: One composition

• Pattern 5: Three compositions

• Patterns 1 and 2: One composition performed using both patterns

Each piece is preceded by a preparatory warm-up that introduces and reinforces the finger pattern used throughout the composition.

By practicing familiar finger relationships in different musical settings, violists develop more consistent intonation, improved muscle memory, and greater technical confidence.

Build Better Viola Intonation Through Musical Performance

Unlike fretted instruments, the viola requires players to develop an accurate sense of pitch through careful listening and precise finger placement.

While fingerboard tapes can help beginners locate notes, students eventually need to develop the ability to recognize and correct intonation independently.

String Music in Patterns addresses this important skill by combining consistent finger patterns with actual string orchestra repertoire.

The collection also gives developing violists opportunities to practice reading music in alto clef while performing engaging first-position passages.

Through melodic lines, countermelodies, and harmonic support, students become more confident musicians who understand how their individual parts contribute to the full ensemble.

An Excellent Resource for School Viola Programs

Whether you're helping students master essential finger patterns, addressing persistent intonation challenges, or expanding your orchestra's instructional repertoire, String Music in Patterns – Viola provides a practical way to reinforce foundational skills.

Its combination of preparatory warm-ups, original compositions, and accessible first-position writing makes this collection particularly valuable for school orchestra directors, private viola teachers, and developing violists.

Product Details

Title: String Music in Patterns: For Better Intonation
Instrument: Viola
Composer: Marsha Chusmir Shapiro
Contents: 17 string orchestra compositions with preparatory warm-ups
Finger Patterns: Five patterns
Playing Position: First position
Recommended For: School string orchestras, beginning and developing violists, viola teachers, and music educators

Special Clearance Pricing at Teton Music!

Give your viola section the tools to develop stronger intonation and greater musical confidence—at a price that makes sense for your orchestra budget!

We're offering String Music in Patterns – Viola at a special reduced price while supplies last.

Order your viola copies today and help your students develop better intonation, stronger finger patterns, and the skills to become confident, accomplished orchestral musicians!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is String Music in Patterns for Viola?

String Music in Patterns – Viola is the viola edition of Marsha Chusmir Shapiro's collection of 17 original string orchestra compositions. The music is designed to help students improve intonation, strengthen finger patterns, and develop ensemble performance skills.

Is String Music in Patterns suitable for beginning viola players?

Yes. The viola music remains entirely in first position, making it particularly useful for developing players who are learning or reinforcing fundamental finger patterns. Students should have basic note-reading and viola-playing skills appropriate for the selected compositions.

How does String Music in Patterns help improve viola intonation?

Each composition uses a consistent finger pattern across the strings. This approach helps violists develop reliable finger placement, recognize pitch relationships, and improve their ability to make intonation adjustments through careful listening.

Does the Viola edition include warm-up exercises?

Yes. Each of the 17 compositions includes a preparatory warm-up designed to introduce and reinforce the finger pattern used in that piece.

Does String Music in Patterns help with alto clef reading?

The viola edition gives students opportunities to practice reading alto clef while performing first-position orchestral music. Although the collection focuses primarily on finger patterns and intonation, it can also provide valuable reading practice for developing violists.

Does the viola music require shifting?

No. All viola parts remain in first position, allowing students to focus on accurate intonation, left-hand technique, and musical expression.

Can the Viola edition be performed with the other string orchestra instruments?

Yes. Corresponding editions are available for Violin 1, Violin 2, Cello, and Double Bass, allowing the compositions to be performed by a complete string orchestra.