One Step At A Time

One Step At A Time is a five-part method of teaching the fundamentals of music on the viola. It is written in a way that is logical, sequential, and easy to understand. The success of this approach is in its simplicity. The writing of this series is the culmination of many years of teaching, and is based on carefully considered pedagogical principles. Book V introduces minor modes and keys; half position; third position; harmonics; and double stops; each with intermediate tunes and exercises. As with the first four books in this series, the fundamental concepts are introduced on uncluttered pages. I am grateful to my violinist daughter, Amy Harris Jevitt, who guided me when I was challenged to find the most logical pathway through the keys, and gave me her invaluable opinion in regard to pedagogical issues; and to my husband, Paul, for his endless hours of proofreading the multiple revisions as the series evolved. His total support and understanding made it possible to complete One Step At A Time. SPECIFIC GOALS IN BOOK V The following concepts are introduced and developed with melodious exercises and songs: 1. Modes 2. The Natural minor scale 3. The Melodic minor scale 4. The leading tone 5. The Harmonic minor scale 6. The Augmented second 7. The Egyptian or Hungarian scale 8. The Pentatonic scale 9. Grace notes 10. Half position 11. Intermediate double stops 12. The shift into third position 13. Spiccato 14. The 4th finger extension in third position 15. Natural harmonics 16. A review of bowing techniques 17. Intermediate solos and duets