My 11 year old just started playing the viola and I would like to help him out. He`s the first one in our family to play a string instrument so I am pretty much clueless here; we all played woodwinds.

Does anyone know where I could find a fingering chart online for the viola?

There are string books called `all things strings` (i think thats what they`re called) and they have fingering charts in the beggining and the first book has easy pieces then the books go on to become progressively harder. you should find one in a nearby music store

The Book he was refering to is called:All For Strings.

Sadly, the only music store in this town caters mostly to guitarists and drummers. They are woefully lacking in anything else.

i need the same help for the fingering charts, im 12 by the way, lol

Iam 13 and I`m a very good viola payer but I`m on one of my peices I can`t figure out a few notes.Where can I find a fingering chart on line for free!

You can find books online at www.sharmusic.com. You could also try to find a private teacher in your area. If you want, I could send you some of the material I have over the internet (I`m a string teacher, so I have a LOT of beginning material).

just go to a search engine and search for VIOLA FINGERING CHART, or search for STRING FINGERING CHART. SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

i dont know if it`ll work but it mite

This one is $5.

http://www.wwbw.com/Scherl-and-Roth-Viola-Fingering-Chart-i50698.music

My 12 year old daughter just took up the viola. We use the All for Strings book (very well illustrated, including finger charts). Excellent duet stuff.

I borrowed a cello and have been pretty much teaching myself in order to play along with my daughter (talk about a crash course on Alto Clef!). Makes a big difference. I play early intermediate piano, but never have tried strings before. We are really enjoying the time together playing the pages out of the All for Stings. Helps even out those frustrating moments for her that come with learning an new instrument.

I have no idea if you guys could help, but...
I just recently quit the band program and joined the orchestra at my school. So, I`ve gone from knowing and being very good at playing the Trombone, to not knowing and being very bad at playing the viola. I am also pretty much on my own finacially, leaving me with exactly... no money for books or lessons or anything of that nature. So, if you could send any type of help my way, it would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Kat

It`s very simple and basic, but one method is to put "tape" on the bridge of the viola. Essentially what it is is this:

You buy special tape that comes in thin little strands (cheaply purchased at any music store) and lay them down on the correct positions on the fingerboard. You might want to consult his strings teacher about where to lay the tape as it varies for different sizes and I wouldn`t be able to describe it.

You can also buy something similar: a transparant sticker than covers the entire fingerboard and shows ALL the positions. This is what I recommend.

Good luck! It`s wonderful having another violist in the world! I hope he grows into a great musician!