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Looking for a home self study guide in any format on music theory a little beyond the basics. I struggle with timing I struggle with the circle of fifths I want to learn how to accompany people adding chords, choosing the correct double stops, improvising. Trying to resuscitate My Viola playing. Thanks









Ive found that these are full of good info and build up from basics to advanced. theyre a good couple of books to have. they do use a piano keyboard for chord theory if you can get past that. I have kindle versions so I assume the paperback versions are on amazon.



Hi Ripton,
(I realize that you are working on viola and my recommendation does center on a fiddle/violin source, but I still believe that this may really work well for you on so many levels.)
I highly recommend the FiddleHed (yes, funky spelling is correct) website with instructor Jason. It is an amazing, vibrant learning environment, self-paced, offering a vast array of solid, quality music education. Jason offers recorded video lessons, but he also runs regular, live-streamed, real time sessions on Zoom: group lessons, question and answer sessions, and hang out and play with others sessions. Lesson and Q&A sessions are recorded and available to view later, as well. The live sessions add a dynamic level of real, engaging, human community so it’s not just a video archive.
Right now, Jason’s group lessons are focusing on chords, double stops and playing backup. This, plus his video lessons cover the topics you list. Notes are notes, chords are chords, you could certainly adapt this to viola. There are also play along backing tracks that make practice so much fun.
Many lessons teach how to play fiddle tunes. However, Jason teaches a wealth of lessons on technique, tone-building, music theory, chord building, double stops, playing backup with chords, improvisation, modes, bowing technique and textures, ear training, etc. The tunes are interspersed and gauged with the technique lessons and geared to develop skills progressively. You can follow the programs or pick and choose.
It is not just a beginner program. There is plenty there for progressing musicians. Many members are accomplished classical musicians who now want to learn to fiddle.
Jason is a classically trained violist and violinist, a professional gypsy-fiddle-rock-indie band member, a real life music instructor (for decades), and an incredible teacher. (I have two inspiring violin heroes right now: Fiddlerman Pierre and FiddleHed Jason.😊)
He offers a two-week free trial membership. Why don’t you check it out, it might do the trick?
I’m gushing, I know. But I love this site. It has helped me improve my violin technique for all genres of music, and it has helped me grow so much as a musician on all of my instruments. Maybe I’ll see you in a backup chord lesson!
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NO 🚫 🎭 DRAMA
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Ripton,
Take a look at Megan's explanation on the Nashville numbering system, it works I've used it on the Bass guitar, acoustic guitar and piano for over 45 years, but I had not been able to apply it on the fiddle until I saw her video 3 days ago now it make sense!
Good luck.
Mark
Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.
Albert Sammons








Thanks, great places two start. Im at the cabin in Vermont so no real WiFi, only 1 bar cell service. I'll check those sites out when I get home. In the mean time, im working on intonation (using a shark digital tuner while I do scales) and a few really bad renditions of some tunes that are coming back...











@Ripton -
Howdy!
"Fiddle Jam Institute" is all about jamming & improv - many YouTube Tutorials, but can get further help at their website.
https://fiddlejaminstitute.com/
I agree with Unfretted about FiddleHed - quite a few Lessons there for Playing Backup.
I think there's at least 8 workshops (Circle of Fifths & Playing Backup) - some on cello (which translates great for Viola), on the schedule for the upcoming Fiddle Hell Festival in November 2021, if you're interested.
I haven't been playing as long as the others, I do have a 5-string - so, my approach is of course to start simple & work up.
@Mark -
GREAT suggestion!
I liked her video at FIDDLEVIDEO.
The Nashville Number System For Fiddle - Megan Lynch Chowning
- Emily



















@Ripton -
Yes!
It's another Virtual - Online Festival for this November.
I'm in no shape to be traveling anywhere, but think one of the Fiddle Hell Festivals next year will be LIVE.
I really appreciated the benefits of the April Virtual Workshops! I never would have learned so much, but of course it would have been awesome to watch the concerts & jams in person.
April was my 1st Fiddle Hell, so I asked a lot of questions/participated in the chat, but kept my side of the Zoom private - because sometimes I was doing other stuff while watching... and it was a marathon for me! (lol) Also, was so great to be able to revisit the Workshop recordings - as many times as I needed to.
Are you thinking about it?
- Emily



















@Ripton -
Cool! My Brother lives in North Attleboro.
If you are reluctant because of your playing, I think you'll love the "Virtual" format - because I felt EXACTLY the same way!
Glad I was encouraged to try it!
Being able to interact with the Workshops, while using the option to stay visually hidden, was important to me. I hadn't even been playing for 2 years, so I didn't want to hold everyone else back while I was still 'fiddling' around.
And... I'm still 'fiddling' around. 🤣
- Emily

