Been teaching violin for ever and a day...

Bit of a shock that poor violists have to buy LOTS of different books for exam pieces

So I wondered if anyone had any particular recommendations for pieces? We are already enjoying Viola Time Joggers and there are a couple of options from there...

Is the Elgar Andante in C like the violin version does anyone know??

Indeed. We are a persecuted minority.Do you mean no. 1 from Six Very Easy Pieces? If so, I believe it's identical to the violin version, but transposed from C to F.

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Bit of a shock that poor violists have to buy LOTS of different books for exam pieces

I know exactly what you mean! I've just paid out £30 for exam music for my son's grade 3 trumpet - add that to the exam fee and I'm looking at £70 - and he isn't even that bothered about exams!

As for the grade 1 viola, I don't have huge experience, but I do have the 'Time Pieces for Viola book 1', which is quite good value as it has more than one piece for grades 1, 2 and 3 all in the same book.

Having said that, I'm not over keen on the grade one pieces - from list A the Bach isn't bad, and the Purcell I found straightforward but a bit boring. From list 2 I found the Dvorak boring - it's rather repetative(sp?). From list 2 I quite like 'Viola Joke' (well, it's grown on me) but I do think it's a bit tricky.

I also have 'First Repetoire for Viola book 1' From that I liked the Morley from list A, from list B I really enjoyed the Bruckner, and the list C 'March' is nice to play too. The 3 pieces make a nice contrast.

Apart from those I've only looked at the 'Joggers' and 'Runners' stuff which you have looked at already.

If I was taking the exam I would do the three from ' First Repetoire', which only requires one book, Please bear in mind that I say all this from the lofty heights of just starting to look at Grade 2 stuff!

Hope that helps a bit - and I also hope others can help you out with the other pieces on the list.

Yes, exactly. You can do up to about G5 viola with just one book each time and can probably do G1-3 with just 'Time Pieces' vol 1! Just need to be picky with the syllabus and prepared to do maybe the only piece from that book if you're really pinched for £$£. Can be a pain and quite resrictive, but it is possible.

Guitarists too.

Other exam boards manage to do a guitarists book (and other instruments) but not our beloved AB.

Maybe in future.

Cheers,

Matt.

For grade 3 I think you can get one choice from each list in the Time pieces book.

I didn't like them so I'm using three books but my teacher has two of them and I managed to get the other on ebay for a few pounds (just by chance).

Well done on youe viola pupil

I don't think it's too bad (the amount of books for viola) can remember first learning clarinet I liked a different piece on the list out of a different book everytime so I ended up with absolutely loads of books for gd. 1, 2 and 3!! For viola I've stuck with Time, as I really like the pieces

Nicia

Thanks, I do feel very happy to have her, I have had 2 other viola students before and sent them onto a more expert viola teacher after Grade 4 but I do LOVE the sound of the instrument and am happy teaching the early grades. I like Time pieces too, enjoyed using the flute series with my youngest son (recall that a particular piece was written in the year when margarine was invented, very useful to know (except I can't now remember the year))

Same with cello.
There is an upside- you have a chance to try lots of different pieces instead of sticking to the 3 in the book. If you borrow books or play from photocopies whilst trying them out, you can pick out a piece which you like- and will therefore play better (hopefully).